If you buy a lathe, say a good one like a little Jet, you run a very serious risk. This risk is called being swallowed up by the vortex. Once this happens kiss all your extra funds goodbye. You will quit rods and go to bowls and other turned objects and need more and more tools, etc. Don't ask me how I know this. Stick with a drill or just buy the grips already made and the vortex won't get you