Best lathe for budget of 6500

[Peter Christensen]

It may be completely different in Canada but here is the tale of one direct from China buyer of a woodworking machine:

https://sawmillcreek.org/showthread....ighlight=china

In the US we currently have a 25% tariff on woodworking machines. There are a lot of people that buy laser engravers direct so there is likely a lot of info in that sub-forum. For me personally, the process seemed far too involved and expensive compared to the money saved.

Thanks. I'll check the sub-forum out. I read the thread about the saw. I have bought lights and a VFD through Alibaba and it was painless and easy. Alibaba has a protection plan much like Amazon has. I'm looking into getting a tractor/accessories the same way and once I know what is entailed I'll decide if I'll pop for it. Maybe I could get a lathe tossed into the same container.

I'm familiar with your tariff and actually was affected by it when I bought a 5C collet locally that is probably headquartered in the US. There was a sticker on it that said that Tarriff xxxxxxxx was applied. That tariff shouldn't apply to us but since it went through your world it cost 25% more than it did a year ago.

[Jason Ramey]

Hello all, thanks for the help on this. I placed an order for a 3520c with swingaway tailstock, bowl rest, lift, rock, and roll base and a holdfast vacuum system. Also ordered a Vicmsrc 120 chuck and will be ordering a one way Talin soon. I had the opportunity to turn on An American Beauty, A sweet 16, and a 3520c last week, and I liked the 3520c the most. I love the American beauty but didn’t like the on/off switch configuration as there were many times I meant to push the stop button and would reverse the lathe instead of stopping. Both the American Beauty were so quiet I couldn’t tell they were on. Can’t wait for it to get here!
Ordering some turning tools and a one way sharpening jig along with some 8 inch sharpening wheels this week .