I agree with the previous comments - steer clear of this. Machine Mart are offering a Clarke for £200 (also badged as lumberjack, vevor, SIP etc etc) and I would seriously recommend you to steer clear of that too. I have not owned one but a careful in store inspection was enough for me to walk awy. I have read so many bad reviews regarding this, and, admittedly, some good ones. Although most good reviews say it's OK for starting with etc. but then you would want to upgrade, so why bother in the first place? Personally I would go for a decent brand of second hand kit. Somebody mentioned the Myford ML8. That is dated now but it is in a totally different league to the cr@p mentioned above. I have owned one for over 40 years and it was old when I bought it. Myford stopped making them in the 1980s when they brought out the Mystro but the ML8 is a solid, well built, British lathe that will still be running when much of today's cheap kit is in the scrap heap where it belongs, not surprising when you consider it was selling for over £1000 at today's prices - plus motor and plus VAT. You could probably get one for around £200, depending on what comes with it. Or there is Record, Coronet (now taken over by Record), Tyme, Arundel - all well respected makes although check the spindle threads for compatibility. (visit lathes.co.uk for LOADS of info). I don't use my ML8 much now having managed to buy a Union Graduate and a Denford Viceroy - both very good lathes, both bought second hand. The graduates are still available at around £500. I paid £300 for the Viceroy but they seem to have gone up in price recently, perhaps people are beginning to realise how good they are? Finally, be aware that you will need woodturning chisels (£5 minimum for a skew, up to £50+ for a bowl gouge) and some means of keeping them sharp - and please invest in PPE, especially dust extraction.
K
