Received this 10x18 mini lathe for Christmas. LOML picked it up on sale week after Thanksgiving when on ad for $150. It was extremely easy to set up right from the box. Came with 6in tool rest, 3in faceplate, spur and live centers, in addition to setup tools. "Instruction manual" is only a parts list with warnings - in fact, section IV "Adjusting the main spindle speed" is dead wrong; its exactly the same as the HF though, including side-panel belt access on bed, rear panel access on headstock; I printed the HF manual at the following link for correct basic setup/operation instructions (http://manuals.harborfreight.com/man...5999/65345.pdf) - headstock photos even show "Model MC1018" 
. For the price ($150 on sale) and class of tool, I'd have rated as "5" if there was an actual manual.
Finish and tolerance of parts is good, and minor cleanup is required - I used fine steel wool and WD40 to remove oil/cosmoline from exposed metal surfaces, and used paste wax to protect; also sanded some over-paint from the top of the tool rest.
Mine ran true and very smooth on some initial small spindle turning, no appreciable vibration, and its heavy enough that when placed on my workbench without further hold-downs there was no shaking or walking. Appreciate that head and tail stock are Morse Taper #2, so good options for chucks, etc., and bed extension is available ($80 regular, $64 if you have a 20% off coupon).
Looking forward to several years of performance from this tool, and would recommend, especially at the $150 sale price. Photo, if visible, is stock photo from Rockler website.
. For the price ($150 on sale) and class of tool, I'd have rated as "5" if there was an actual manual.Finish and tolerance of parts is good, and minor cleanup is required - I used fine steel wool and WD40 to remove oil/cosmoline from exposed metal surfaces, and used paste wax to protect; also sanded some over-paint from the top of the tool rest.
Mine ran true and very smooth on some initial small spindle turning, no appreciable vibration, and its heavy enough that when placed on my workbench without further hold-downs there was no shaking or walking. Appreciate that head and tail stock are Morse Taper #2, so good options for chucks, etc., and bed extension is available ($80 regular, $64 if you have a 20% off coupon).
Looking forward to several years of performance from this tool, and would recommend, especially at the $150 sale price. Photo, if visible, is stock photo from Rockler website.
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