i had the harbor freight one for 7 or 8 years? it did everything I needed it to, it is great for everything up to bigger bowls, smaller bowls and pens went well, large bowls 9-12 inches were very slow and higher speed then I would prefer. but for the value its great, buy it, get some decent tools, if you like turning save up and in a few years buy a very nice lathe. if you don't like turning you should be able to sell and have minimal loss, I think I sold mine for 125, probably could have good a little more.