[ranchak]

I am looking at three lathes, two are new one is used. The first lathe is a new Birmingham 12x37, the second lathe which is also new is a Vectrax 14x40. The last lathe is a used Rockwell 14x30. The Rockwell looks to have been well cared for. All three of the lathes are priced approxiamately the same and will do probably everything I would want to do. I have done some looking on the web and it seems like all three lathes are a good pick. I just need a little more info or opinions to help me decide. Thanks.

[Lillitaly]

Consider parts. The Birmingham is not a bad lathe, however there is only one distributer in the US and that is in El Monte. I owned one of these and it worked fine. Consider the size 12x37, a bit small. Don't know much about Vectrax or Rockwell. I just purchased a JET 14x40 and love it. Is a bit more then a Birmingham, but parts are readily available. Harbor Freight sells that Birmingham under their name for about $3400.