I'll have to take exception to your comment that it is barely better than a wood lathe. In the first place, wood lathes won't cut threads and this one not only could but had what looked like probably a full set of Change Gears. In the second place, wood lathes don't have Back Gears, which this one has. And in the third place, your comments were derogatory and if repeated about anyone's machine regardless of who made it can and probably will get you banned for life.
In the fourth place, a lathe light enough to put up on a shelf when you aren't using it is in a totally different category from a lathe large and heavy enough to swing a nearly 12" part. The mini lathes have their place but it isn't in place of something this large.
Having said all of that, I will add that any babbit bearing lathe regardless of who made it should only be considered if (a) you only want it for parts that you can see are present or (b) you or if you don't know what you are looking at , someone who does can inspect the babbit or any other type of spindle bearings that aren't practical to replace. That applies to lathes made by anyone.
