Enco lathe

[Rex Guinn]

Has anyone heard of the Enco lathes. A friend called and has a chance to buy one and wanted to know about them. He thinks it's 16" swing, 36" between centers, and a 2hp motor.
Thanks

[Jon McElwain]

Enco sells tools mostly related to machine shops and metal working related trades. Their lathes are engine lathes, mill/lathe combos, and tool room lathes. I am not sure if they make or sell any woodworking lathes. As far as quality, I do not know. However, I looked in an Enco catalog a few years back when I was looking for a mill/lathe combo machine - I moved on because the tools did not look very high quality.

I am guessing the lathe your friend is looking at is a metal turning lathe. If it was a super low price, perhaps it could be re-purposed into a woodturning lathe (if that is what they are after), however, if it is a gear head lathe, it is probably not well suited for wood.

Hope that helps!