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The usual questions. How much money you got to spend? What do you want to do with it? How heavy it is( do you want to move it alone). For starters get at least a
9 or 10" .Look around for used one's in your area.If you want to make a rifle barrel then length of bed becomes important. You want 36" bed for that.Look into what type of motor the lathe has,110v 3/4 hp or 220v 1 hp. Where are you going to put it? Do you have room? After you get the machine you will have to buy tools, bits,tool holders,chucks and more. Easily a few hundred bucks there.
The 10" atlas is a great starting machine if you can find one. Cheap too.If your rolling in dough then get a 11 or 12" for about $1200 new. The taiwan mfg are better then the chinese. Still they weigh about 900 lbs. You can do some serious work with them ,but they don't have the power for heavier jobs. Heavy as in remove 2" of material from 4140 6" round stock. I have a 12" x 36" that I use for threading. Does fine work. I also make ar-15 barrels for a living on this machine. ( ar-15 barrels custom made), see add in the gun list, end shameless plug. This lathe did not have a stand when purchased. So i made one. Another consideration.You will spend for tool holders chucks and other things.Very easy to blow $1000 on accessories, but it makes work easier.You might get lucky and fine a used one with enough extras to get started.regards.
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