The 600 rpm minimum speed is on the Grizzly lathe I started out talking about. I saw a 'deal' on craigslist and was tempted, but further research has cooled my enthusiasm. I've made almost 1,800 pens on a HF lathe, delta mini, and delta midi 46-460 with electronic speed control. The electronic variable speed is awesome. I'd love a Jet 1642, but I don't have the money to throw at one. I was thinking the griz might be a good compromise, but maybe not. The reeves / variable pitch pulley drive is a turn off, and the fairly high minimum speed is as well. I could buy the griz and convert it to a variable frequency drive, but I'd wind up not saving money.