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We have this discussion every week or so, so a search at

answer a lot of your questions. The short answer is a decentmini lathe, not big enough to make legs without adding extensions,will run you $300. It'll turn 15" long objects and up to 10" widebowls, just slightly longer than your hand. A cheap midi lathe atHarbor Freight, which will turn 12-14" bowls and 36-44" legs, willrun you $129-$279. After that you start going up in price to the1000s of $. None of these have the tools and tools turn out to bea major expense, about $40-80 per tool for major brands. HF has a$40 toolset of barely adequate quality tools. They'lll teach youto sharpen and once you decide which you like and which you don'tprovide you with blanks to shape into the tools you've decidedthat you need. Except a bowl gouge. That's a must have and it'llcost you. You'll end up owing your wife another big present toeven things up. You'll also need sharpening equipment anddust/vision/hearing gear.Dave in Fairfax

Dave gave an excellent reply

If you are looking for specifics - IMHO if I were just starting out, and, more or less in your situation - I would opt for the Jet Mini - a bed extension that will get you 38ish inches can be added for aprox $50

this is based on my own assement combined with input from people who sell the Jet, but also, other brands as well

HTH Dale