Hey guys, I love this forum. They should have done this along time ago! Instead of jumping all over the net to check stuff out I just come here first. I have made a home made cnc router. Having a little trouble figuring out software though! Anyway I have been wanting to get a homier 7x12 for awhile now but keep talking myself out of it! I have access to a 9 inch south bends lathe (my fathers) which I do use. But the problem is I have to go to his house to use it. I want to set up shop here at my house. I have been fooling around and building some simple steam stuff and am working on a small I.C. engine called the MAVERICK. I'll attach a photo of the engine so you guys can see it. I also have made some writing pens too. My question is. Do you guys recomend this lathe or should I go with something bigger like a 9x20? I like all the little featchers the little lathe has. But how limited am I with this lathe? Does anyone have one and feel they should have a bigger one? I have been checking out this guys web page (http://www.tedatum.com/thms/) And he started out with the grizzly 7x12 now it seems its not big enough to do what he wants to do! And hes just doing desk top machining! I don't want to make that costly mistake. Please some give me some guidance!