RE: Lathes
I bought the enco 9x20. Out of the box it was a disaster. I had to completely disassemble and re-adjust vertually everything on it. I have it working now and it does a decent job. You just have to stay on top of it and check the adjustments make sure they are snug and keeper nuts fairly tight. It works for my use for now which is mainly gas conversions and such. I've been trying to make struts and have come to the conclusion, I should have gone the next sized bigger. But for the most part I'm content for the money.
Edwin