Love him on YouTube. I am from a family of metalworkers but am stuck on the 44th floor of an apartment at the moment so I get my shop fix watching him and others.
What kind of lathe you looking at? How much space do you have to play with?
It's your basic chinese. I can't get Grizzy here but probably would have bought one since online reviews seem generally favorable. I suspect, however, that I might have the same models available with slightly different facing.
This one seems like a lot of machine for the money. I'm just hoping it runs as advertised. I can't exactly afford to go out and buy a Clausing for project work tho, so I have to keep to what I can afford. Probably going to try basic milling on it as well (keyway cutting) so I don't drop the same money again, or more, on a milling machine.
http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/L682DIt's a gap bed with pretty decent size and thread cutting capabilities for the money, I think. DRO (not sure how good) comes with it and a few other bits of fruit. The post is probably garbage but it'll at least get me out the starting gate.
Space is limited. 1/2 a garage since the other half is floor to ceiling with racking. First project will be a work/welding table, probably 4x4'. I'd like it to be able to accomodate future tools like a sheet brake, maybe a roll bender, pipe bender, and maybe (somehow) plasma cutting with downdraft. Hydraulic press is also on the soon to do list since I'll be needing to press fit bearings.
If you have any advice for someone just getting a kit together, and with no formal training, I'm all ears!