The fine weather lately is why I suffer Florida's long hot summers. Now I want to take a small lathe out on the deck and make small turnings in the sunshine. My spouse forbids a permanent set-up, so I have to take the lathe & tools back & forth about 100 feet.
I can't lift much (or win fistfights 'G') anymore, so I need an easy to manage portable set-up ( and I only fight with a keyboard 'G'). Not all will agree, but I don't think anyone should buy a _new lathe without VS, and that's considering initial cost, utility, pleasure, resale, whatever. The same goes for a swivelling bed or headstock on buying a new _ full size_ lathe. Probably, when all the kinks are straightened, I'll feel the same about integral motor/spindle machines, but I digress from my question.
I pretty much know the design and qualities of the two lathes I've narrowed down to; a VS Jet mini or a Mercury. I' ve never lifted or turned on either. I imagine several of you have had to answer the same question re taking a lathe in & out of the shop. I would appreciate you sharing your experience and advice. TIA, Arch
Fortiter,