I took a woodturning class at my local woodcraft last week. After the class and after reviewing all your advise last week over which lathe....I went with the Rikon...Here is my gloat and My first something I turned on it. My wife says it is a table leg....I think it is just plain fun on the lathe. BTW I had to show it with some chips on it...No tool should be without dust. Back to turning. Again thanks for all the advise.