Sigh.
Little Machine Shop Sieg is having a sale of the C3 Mini Lathe.
At $499-95 it is cheaper in $ than the Clarke equivalent is in £.
On top of that, the LMS C3 is a better model because:
# It has a tail stock with a cam-lock
# A digital speed read-out
# A proper chuck guard - not the stupid, useless flat piece of plastic that bounces up and down on top of the chuck until you unscrew it and throw it away that Clarke provide.
My Xmas wish is that Little Machine Shop set up in the UK and sell at direct dollar to pound exchange rates.
Ooooh, look a flying pig.
On the other hand, I left my letter to Santa (in a font called "crayon") on the mantlepiece early this year to give him lots of notice so that he can get the goodies from the specified suppliers in good time. There are a number of heavy parcels lying about now.
If you don't believe in Santa it's still worth a try - it's worked for me!
