I'm considering picking up the MC 900 lathe for about $160 AUD as my first lathe. I'd love to hear what others think about it. Is it a decent option for a beginner like me or should I look for something else?
1 Answer
Honestly, I'd steer clear of the MC 900. The biggest concern is the Reeves drive; parts for it are hard to come by. If you end up with a stuck pulley or any maintenance issues, you might as well be stuck with a boat anchor. Not a great first choice if you ask me.

That's interesting, especially since I've seen some conflicting opinions on other forums. Are parts likely to fail often? I assume routine maintenance is key for any lathe, but is it pretty much guaranteed that something will need replacing on an older model like this?