choosing a metal working lathe

[Rarest wood]

I purchased a couple of months ago a lathe from axminster well it died on me and the replacement has also died on me so I am now looking for a replacement lathe but feel that a metal lathe particulaly one of the chinese mini or midi lathe may well be the way to go. I have been looking at a site here in the uk I picked up from the engineering forums but am bamboozeld by the choice
Is there any advice any one can give which will help me make an informed choice ime looking for a lathe primarily to turn pens and hopefully want to thread my own kitless in the near future along the lines of a lominchay. I also want the lathe to drill my blanks and will turn pens on it as well the link is here
http://www.chesteruk.net/store/lathes.htm

any advice or tips about choosing a metal lathe would be appreciated also what one would you choose here considering my needs my thanks in advance

 

[skiprat]

Dave, I have the Chester DB10VS and love it. They are only about 10mins from my house too. I had service problems way back, but they have been great to deal with since then.
Get the longest bed you can afford. When you start adding chucks and vertical slides and stuff, you run out of space very quickly. I chose the 'metric' version.

Don't buy their coolant pump. It is far too powerful for the small to mid sized lathes and much cheaper ones are available. I often just use a fish tank pump, but I do have the big one too.

I also wouldn't recommend getting one of the combi mill-lathes. Too limiting and a seperate mill doesn't cost too much. A vertical slide pretty much negates a mill anyway.

Have fun:biggrin:

 

[BigShed]

I have a Chinese made 9x20, Steelmaster, and am very happy with it. Originally looked at the 7x12 or 14 because of the EVS, but when I found that the 9x20 Steelmaster was available with EVS I went for that. I have turned steel, aluminium, brass, acrylic and wood on it so far and the EVS is worth its' weight in gold.

There are some pictures in my album.

I agree with Skippy, separate mill is the way to go. I have an X2 Mini Mill, looked at the vertical slide but it was almost half the cost of the X2 so decided that was a more versatile investment.

 

[Rarest wood]

thanks your comments have been very helpfull, it pays to ask I think. will keep you updated.