I am considering buying a USED lathe - larger than my Taig - but one that weighs only as much as I can manhandle with the fewest of mechanical aids. It will be used in an apartment in all likelihood, no shop. As much as I'd like a new BusyBee 10x18 (Canada), realistically I'm faced with looking for a used 9x20 Chinese lathe. It's much lighter than the 10x18 and more readily found used.
My question is this - has there been a reasonable improvement in quality with the 9x20 at some point in recent history such that I'm better off limiting myself to a lathe that is say 3, 5 or 10 years old; or is it all pretty much the same stuff?
I understand that some of these used lathes may have been "improved" by their owners but I don't have enough experience to judge the quality of that work. So should I wait for what "looks" to be a good deal regardless of age or limit myself to a 9x20 of a minimum age?
Any and all comments appreciated.
Cheers
Garry
My question is this - has there been a reasonable improvement in quality with the 9x20 at some point in recent history such that I'm better off limiting myself to a lathe that is say 3, 5 or 10 years old; or is it all pretty much the same stuff?
I understand that some of these used lathes may have been "improved" by their owners but I don't have enough experience to judge the quality of that work. So should I wait for what "looks" to be a good deal regardless of age or limit myself to a 9x20 of a minimum age?
Any and all comments appreciated.
Cheers
Garry