Yes, it is my first lathe. My only experience running one is from high school shop eons ago, and using a Smithy combo machine to do some racecar parts. I have wanted one for years, but wanted a classic machine. This one popped up on Craigslist in Lake city, FL. They also had it on ebay. I knew I wanted it when the seller sent me a video clip of it running. The serial number look up suggests it was made in the late fifties. (37979). I will be looking for help along the way, but it included a 35th Edition of How to Run a Lathe. I have been reading a lot.