How to choose the right lathe, used

Question:

We have a need to replenish our fleet of metal-cutting equipment. We want to buy a 16K20 machine. Naturally, all such machines only second-hand, in all, which we watched, there are scratches on the guides. How critical are such scratches, if they are shallow, and what threatens the purchase of equipment with such a defect?

Reply:

Such scratches do not always indicate significant wear of the equipment bed. The reason for their appearance may be trivial: carelessness of the turner, who worked on the machine and did not burden himself too much with its proper cleaning and lubrication. Not to be mistaken in the purchase of the machine, formerly in use, it is necessary to check up wear of guides on all their length and to stop the choice on the machine with the minimum wear.