Beginer lathe

[addjunkie]

You say that now, but trust me, you will want to do something bigger before long, you just haven't thought of it yet.

A lathe is NEVER big enough, and neither is the spindle bore.

I would suggest, other than the South Bend, which is proper industrial profession kit, a Viceroy or Boxford. They were meant for the college and schools market, so fairly robust. They will take something around 11 inches diameter, and 24 inches between centres. This would be a minimum IMO. They come on their own stand, and are not stupidly heavy.

Other thing with hobby machines, is that you pay more for them because they are small and easy to move, and fit into small sheds, whereas larger ones are cheap for what you are getting, even taking into account transport costs

This is spot on, and a boxford can if you are daft enough be man handled into a van on your own, if its a case of free if you shift it now! Sadly it wasn't the AUD or Id have kept it.