few years back I found a guy out east of town that had a used lathe. Craftsman. Priced "right", and I just happened to need one (and for once, had the money). I bought it. 12x36, identical to Atlas 3996 I believe.
Thus far I have not had any project that it's been "too small" for. I do some automatic transmission build and modifications for the drag racers, works excellent.
Recently I made a cam bearing installer tool, to replace my old Snap-on set. This one is kind of patterned after the BHJ cam bearing tool which I had at one time but ended up selling to pay bills. Works SLICK. The Snap-on one was the type you just beat the bearings into the block with,-which often "dings" the bearings so you have to hone them. this type you draw them in with a fine thread screw, so it doesn't damage the bearings. It is a requirement when you're installing roller cam bearings as you can't just beat them in.
Have made tons of bushings and such for lawn mowers. Even on my personal ZG127S I had to cut the spindle bearing spacers down just a shade (about .003") to take out some of the slack.
just all kinds of stuff you can do with a lathe. Real versatile tool, but also a real dangerous tool.
Oddly I went to school to learn the trade (machine shop), then got offered a job working on, tractors.