i was gonna say almost this same thing
carbide tooling is great, when used at hi speeds,
HSS is more versatile,
i like the quick change tool post because setting a lantern type tool post with each tool change can get rather bothersome,
i still use one all the time, mainly depends on the job im doing,
i use whatever i can for HSS bits as well, broken taps, center drills, some drill bits,
i just make a tool holder to hold a round HSS broken tap and sharpen to do the job
another thing about a lathe is its versatility as well, with a bit of experience and imagination you can machine all sorts of parts
Ron
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