Originally Posted by
bangerjim
A small lathe will do light small work. No 50 cal barrel turning!!!!!!!!! But you could make small parts and screws with the normal back gears they come with. And you find far more projects around the shop and home to make and repair than just a few gun parts!!!! My lathes make 95% other stuff and only 5% gun stuff!!!!!!!
Buy the next size up from what you think you need, if possible. You can always sell quality machine tools and go larger if needed. But being too small will sour on the process very fast! Been there...........done that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don't grind your own tools! You may have sharpened your wood turning chisels, but metal working is far different. Just buy TiN coated carbide inserts and the appropriate holders needed for them for the size of lathe. Carbide will last the casual user many years before showing any signs of wear.
Plan on spending just about as much on tooling right up front as your lathe costs! I have 5 metal lathes and many MANY thousands of dollars worth of jigs, tooling, cutters, and adapters!
Good luck in your choice!