Frank, if you don't mind, I'll take a stab at answering this question.
I don't know about your premise, that a $400 lathe vs a $4000 stands up, as the $400 lathe is quite a bit better than the HF $179 lathe, that was suggested, but lets press on.
I'll pick two lathes.
The Grizzly G0584, lists for $385.
Specs- Motor: 2 HP, 110V, single-phase
- Swing over bed: 16"
- Distance between centers: 43"
- Heavy-duty, precision ground cast iron bed and cast iron legs
- 1" x 8 TPI RH headstock spindle
- Spindle tachometer with digital read outMT
- MT#2 spindle & tailstock taper
- Spindle bore: 3/8"
- Outboard turning is easy with standard tool rest extension
- 10 speeds: 600 - 240RPM
- Quick lock/release levers for tailstock and headstock
- 0 deg., 60 deg., 90 deg., 120 deg., and 180 deg. headstock rotation
- Overall dimension: 76 1/2"L x 19"W x 48 3/8" H
Now I think for a first lathe this would not be a bad choice, except for a couple things. 600 rpm for the slowest speed is WAY to fast, IMHO, I have the old C-man lathe, and the slowest speed is about 450 rpm, and on a 9" bowl, this is a little fast for me, I cannot imaging trying to turn a 12" or 16" bowl at this speed
I've also heard a lot of people break the tool rest on this machine, that would really wreak the weekend!
OK on to my $4000 choice
The Vicmarc VL-300 Long bed machine.
Specs
VL300EVCM - Vicmarc VL300 Long Bed Electronic Variable Speed Cabinet Mounted Lathe.
The VL300 Series Electronic Variable Speed Lathe has been designed to suit most professional wood turners. The electronic variable speed drive gives 150% torque on low rpm and the 1.5kw motor is adequate for this size lathe. The two step pulleys provide ratios 1: 1 for small to medium size work and 1: 3 for large work.
The cast iron lathe is mounted on a 3/16" thick steel plate stand which has been designed with a wide footprint for stability and rigidity. The stand also features storage space, wood shaving discharge chute and emergency knee bar stop.
Centre Height 12"
Swing over Bed 24"
Distance between Centres Long 50"
Indexing 24 Holes
Spindle Thread 1 1/4"-8TPI
Headstock Bored No. 2MT
Tailstock Bored No. 2MT
Spindle Bearing Tapered Roller
Electronic Variable Speed with Digital rpm indicator Infinitely Variable 30 -3000 rpm
Thru headstock Spindle 5/8"
Thru Tailstock spindle 3/8"
Motor 1500 watts
Forward & Reverse Switch Yes
Emergency Knee-Bar Stop Yes
Wide Footprint 28"
Hollow Ballast Two sides
Net Weight 660 lbs
Standard Accessories Accessories:
1 x Faceplate 6"
1 x Spur Drive
1 x Live Centre Cup
1 x Knockout Bar
1 x Tool rest 12"
1 x Spanner
Now I've seen the Vicmarc VL-300 up close and personal, and this lathe costs very close to your $4000 mark.
Let's look at this from several points of view.
Resale:
Stuff gets sold/passed on at some time or another, this is for sure, as we all do die.
The resale for the VL-300 will be very high, as it is always going to be in demand by turners, the Grizzly lathe, well you won't get much for it.
Ease of Use:
OK here is a major point, IMHO, if you spend a few hours a week on a lathe, the ease of use point is not going to be much of a big deal, as you can get by with crappy controls for only a few hours a week.
If you are a pro, and turn 8 hours a day, the Grizzly would have you pulling out your hair is a few days. Things have to work smoothly, and with out a second thought, or you waste time, if you are a pro, time wasted means money not earned. BTW, if you only turn a few hours a week, then having a $4000 lathe would be pure luxury!! (ICapaCapacity
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I've not used the Grizzly lathe, but I very seriously doubt that you could take a 14" bowl blank and smoothly turn it, rough it out etc, I would think there would be a considerable amount of flex in the whole unit. The VL-300 would handle much bigger bowls without even breaking a sweat.
Durability:
Again, if you are turning a few hours a week, the Grizzly would hold up for a fairly long time (until the warranty is up, they are betting) but if you were turning on it full time, you would wear it out.
You would be hard pressed to wear out a VL-300.
My Conclusion:
Basically it boils down to how you are going to use the lathe, if you are a part-timer and do a bit here or there, then I'd say the $4000 lathe would be overkill, but if you are a pro, then the $4000 lathe makes you money, and the $400 lathe costs you money in downtime, loss of productivity etc. plus the frustration factor in dealing with a tool that is not up to your needs.
Speaking of Need, if I need a good tools because I use it to make money on my job, then there is no question, in my mind, that it is money well spent.
Now if I "Want" a $4000 lathe, and I can afford it, and I only use it a few hours a month, well, all bets are off
Does the comparison betweent the two lathes stack up?
I really think if you compared a less than $200 lathe with an $800 lathe, the value of the more expensive machine would come through much better.
Cheers!