Here's a few tips

If you have to buy a lathe, definately include the cost of a diamond tip cutter, it does make a difference

"V" block V's Bearings ???

I bought on the advice of a mate who's an engineer, I went too the "V" block !!, The reason being, the swarf from the cut you are doing won't run through the bearing area with "V" blocks, bearings may allow the swarf too run under the support of the arm (yet too have some one tell me it has happened ?)

I have an old Cobra lathe that serves very well and is cheap compared to some on the market to-day, I use 4 cells and an old 540 Johnson motor.

Thats my 2 cents worth any way