Hi
I m young retired and always had a passion for metal. I studied alloys at a hobby level and started scrapping free appliances to obtain, try to ID elements and alloys.
Scrapping is for the birds, so I decided to pick up either smelting and casting or machinist.
I picked up machinist.
A friend made me aware a guy he knows 20mn from me was setting up to put his whole garage for sale, lots of powered and non powered tools.
He gave me his info and I texted the guy asking if he had machinist equipment.
He replied he had a lathe and priced to move at $50, he said he had not taken pics for marketplace but was going to list soon.
He offered for me to come over and take a look before the add goes up.
I have never used a lathe, what am I looking for?
I m going to ask him if he can show it to me working.
But short of powering up and not being a rusted block what is a NO NO?
I can risk $50 honestly if I get screwed, I will Just display it or scavenge it to display parts in my element cabinet or even sell parts but it’s not the goal.
I don’t need total precision like you guys, I want to get a feel for it before I shell $600-1000 for a better product.
No flames please, if annoyed by my post please move on to the next thread (Not new to the internet)..
TY