What to look for when buying a Foley-Belsaw M-14

[SRM]

Truth be known any serious mill restorer should own a metal lathe. There is plenty of old American iron laying fallow that can be had for sever hundred dollars, same with milling machines. Frank C.

Ok Bandmiller2, "et al." after some time and further inquiries, I think I need a lathe.  There are some near me, but in different sizes...small table top, to large shop models.  The large is a monarch, 3 phase which can be converted to 2 phase, 14.5" swing. for 600.00 and another Atlas with a 35"bed, 18" chuck self feeder, and comes with 8" and 6" chuck which is 110 v. for $1000.  Since I will be using this on and off for farm equipment and the sawmill rollers, I want something that will work but not something that is too large for what I need. 
Advice and help are always better than donations anyway....

[bandmiller2]

You can do small stuff on a large lathe but not large stuff on a small lathe. A decent lathe is an investment that will hold its value and last several lifetimes. It will open new possibilities around the diggings. Frank C.

[Don P]

You've got a certain customer base built in right here, live large  ;D