Atlas made a small bench lathe for many years & it used to be sold by Sears. They also published a very good basic instruction book, probably the equal of the South bend one as I recall. Either the Atlas or the small South Bends are good home lathes, but if any one thinks they are "Fine" they've never run a Monarch or Hardinge etc. I have a South Bend myself at home.
Yes indeed. The Atlas book is more extensive than the SB and has lots of tables and thread info that are not in the SB book.
Ahh...A Hardinge. My are those sweet!
If you mount your lathe on a wooden bench make it as sturdy as possible - it's essential to get the lathe absolutely level with no twist in the bed.
