Welcome Jim from over here you have been a bit vague as to how 1/4 inch stainless comes into your need etc. I would scour the many forums devoted to these lathes bearing in mind a larger lathe as Mark has observed is in the long run more versatile. Look carefully at the projection from the head stock and the tail stock of items such as live centres drill chucks mandrels, mandrel savers spacers etc to get a clear picture of two thins the height over the bed and the actual length between centres you will end up being able to use. If you can visit dealers and see for yourself it helps, bear in mind the accessability of winders and tool holders and how large or small your hands are, will you stand to turn or sit, what space do you have enlist the help from customers who have bought them view them kick it round with them. I sit from choice turn wood and stand at my metal lathe. An example with my metal lathe I thought I had plenty of clearance at the outside of the head stock one bar used to house collets is quite long so I cut a hole and framed it in the wood wall sometimes this could be an outside brick wall then what. I have had a ball in my workshop over a long time now I regret the distance between us so I have taken this oportunity to suggest but a few considerations you have you have prompted me to look up where chesterfield is there may be members near you you can have a yarn with, happy hunting.
Peter.
