This is one I am looking at.
I have a Turncrafter, but mine is the 12"/1hP version. I've been very pleased with it.
The same lathe is available from other suppliers - the only difference is in the color of the paint and possibly some minor feature differences. For example, KingCanada offers an almost identical lathe in a different color - the only feature difference is that the Canadian version includes a reversing switch (which can easily be added to the Turncrafter without even making modifications that would void the warranty). Similarly, Axminster (in the UK) offers their version of the same machine.
One thing to be aware of - and this is more a matter of an issue with this general class (size and price range) and not with any specific brand. These machines are all made in China, and the 'fit and finish' can be a bit rough. Several Turncrafter owners have noted that there is a rectangular protrusion on the bottom of the tailstock casting that functions to align the tailstock to the bedways. Unfortunately, this casting can be very slightly more narrow that the spacing between the bedways which means that the tailstock can swivel a fraction of a degree before it is locked down. Normally, this isn't a problem, but it can be a complication when drilling on the lathe. There's no simple way to fix the problem but there is a simple workaround - locate the center of the workpiece by cutting a slight dimple with the tip of a skew while it is rotting, and then center the drill bit on that dimple before locking down the tailstock.
The other thing to be aware of is that there is an indexing feature, but it should NOT be used as a spindle lock. The indexing wheel inside the headstock is made of plastic, and if you try to use it as a spindle lock, you will break teeth off the wheel DAMHIKT.
On the plus side, one of the 'nearly undocumented features' of Turncrafter VS lathes is that it is possible to tweak the speed range by making some adjustments inside the speed controller. For example, if you are interested in thread chasing (which requires low speeds), you can tweak the controller to provide extended low-end speeds.
In my opinion, the 12" Turncrafter is the better of the two models because the motor has more horsepower. This is important when turning at low speeds and/or when turning large diameter items - these machines use variable-voltage DC motors where the torque is proportional to the applied voltage, so at low speed, the torque is much lower. That can be a headache when drilling or when turning larger-diameter bowls or platters. The extra torque associated with a larger motor is an advantage.
Both Turncrafters are VS (they used to offer a 10" version that didn't include VS, but that model appears to have been discontinued in the last year or so), but there is also an ability to switch between high and low speed ranges by changing belt pulleys. Switching ranges is very easy to do on Turncrafters (drop the motor, open a couple of hatches, slip the belt to the alternate pulleys), but that's not the case with some other lathes in this category. The only thing to be aware of is that the cover of the tailstock side hatch is held in place by a small threaded knob that can too easily be lost in the shavings that accumulate under the lathe - again, DAMHIKT. I solved that problem by making a much larger knob that is much easier to find when I drop it.
