The decent

It's been about 5 years since i bought my lathe, it may only be small but it inspired me to build the bike that i still race, and has been worth it's weight in gold generally. However, it's main limitation is the size of the hole through the spindle. At 19mm it's too small to make things like wheel spindles, and to put internal threads in tube etc. And so, just over a week ago i bought a bigger one.
I didn't want something massive and it was vital that i chose one that comes off it's stand as it has to go down a flight of steps into the cellar - manageable chunks was my thinking.
The new lathe is a 1986 Taiwanese made Warco 1127GB. Theses are supposed to be much better quality than the now Chinese made similar lathes. The model number gives the capacity away, it's 11" swing by 27" between centers. It also has a gap bed enabling nearly 14" swing - which is just massive (the old lathe was 9"x 20"). But the best bit is - it has 36mm spindle Bore, which is much more useful. It also has a quick change toolpost, power feeds on both axis, suds pump, taper turning and a full thread cutting gearbox.

It's had to stay in the van since i got it home as it's too heavy to lift out. I've borrowed an engine crane to lift it and that's tomorrows task. The base/stand is already out, i did that today using the engine crane to wheel it down the garden and to the top of the cellar steps. It then simply slid down scaffold planks to the bottom. I've made a frame for it to stand it on, the frame has casters at each corner so i can move the lathe easily should i need to (which is inevitable), as well as threaded leveling feet.