newbie need help buying my first lathe

[hks426]

Hi

I've been thinking of getting a lathe for a while but I have no idea what to look for. please point me a right direction so that I could spend my money right.

I'll be using the lathe to make small parts/ adaptors/ cutting barrels etc for my airgun hobbie,
it must be capable of cutting threads (although I have no idea how).


is mini-lathe a good choice?

http://www.siegind.com/Products/br-c3-lathe.htm

I don't know if i could fit a barrel into the mini lathe. here's a bigger version:

http://www.siegind.com/Products/br-c6-lathe.htm

from the catalog I've got this one cost NZD$1685 compare to the mini lathe NZD$1295


also I found this on an auction site:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=85102117

is this ok for a first lathe??

I live in New Zealand and do not have alot of choices, any input of what I should look for is much appreciated.


Thanks

 

[highorder]

buy the biggest lathe you can power, afford, and accommodate (machine footprint).

mini lathes are OK, but they lack rigidity and power. you will need both to do the kind of work you want do.

I would much rather buy an big old lathe than a little new one.

cutting threads is easy if the machine is equipped with a decent gearbox; hopefully a quick change. I hate pulling gears off and on to cut threads.

I have 3 of these at my disposal.
http://www.clausing-industrial.com/Products/Lathes/Colchester/vs-pro-home.htm

 

[65535]

high order i envy and so much more your machinery disposal.