Well, My new toy (I mean tool) will be up and running by the end of the day. All I have to do is add sand and button up the base and it will be ready. My new lathe is a Vicmarc VL300 longbed. I got the benchtop model and made my own base to fit me and purchased a new Leeson VFD and new Leeson 3HP 3 phase motor from a local company. So now for a touch under $3000 I have this big blue beast, 24 inch swing,
50 inch between centers. I really hope I am not jinxing myself (Murphy and I are very well acquainted), but hopefully this will be the last lathe I will buy. The castings are perfect, tailstock slides like its on glass and lines up perfectly. The banjo locks tigth with little effort. There is no plastic on this thing. Tonight I'll turn my first piece on it!! Thanks to everyone for your opinions and comments on this forum, awesome source for info. Guy