Bryan, what is your opinion on the smaller Proxxon lathe? I have been slightly tempted....
Remarkable is a word I would use. I gather that it is a "clone" of other makes. I also gather that the firm who makes them grades for quality and brands/prices accordingly...the Proxxon being top of the heap (or so I am led to believe). The lathe comes with a built-in taper turning device that appears to be a direct crib from the Unimat with only a 2.5" travel. (Hence my derided post on gettting my 14" masts turned up elswhere). The motor is an "induction" (is that right?) type and goes on for ever without overheating.
However, I would not have bought it if my quick-change toolpost (Unimat) hadn't fitted. After all, compared to the other jobs you do, how often do you need the taper turning tool? The cross slide seems to have a slight tendency to "back-off" before weight is put on it and adjustment is not easy. I am not knocking this bit of kit as I have tried many worse! Just telling you like it is.
The range of extras doesn't seem very extensive compared to the Unimat, but as all the Unimat bits'n'bobs seem to fit then they are available. The Proxxon uses a Morse taper on the tailstock..and can slip if not tightened up right. The Unimat is straight..
I find the 10.5mm headstock dia. a bit of a nuisance at the scale I tend to build at (1:48). Just that bit too small for 1/2". Rats.
As I said earlier, my main priority (apart from quality) is portability. Bartapuss has the larger version and turns out superb thingys.
I love it...with the above caveats. Reliable, quiet and "user friendly". Probably the best of the smaller lathes.