What Lathe

[Mike Hill]

Rex: Is this one of the Palmgrens??
Mike

[Jason Anders]

Yes thats the Palmgren. In your price range I would say the Palmgren is a good buy. I also bought one, still setting up some legs/stand for it so haven't got to use it yet but getting close and can't wait. I think its a good value for the money just don't order one expecting the quality of $1700 Jet 1642 .

If you'd rather put together your own variable speed lathe I would buy one of the older Delta/Rockwell/Powermatic multiple pulley type lathe and retrofit it with a nice AC VFD variable speed motor from some place like Dealers Electric. They seem to have good buys on motors and you would have a sweet setup for probably still under $600-$700. I don't regret buying the Palmgren but if I had it to do over I might head this route instead.