Interesting Record has come back onto the market over here with a splash as well, a quick observation around 400 pounds difference for the 305 lathe with variable speed reminds me of the to me startling differences since buying the normal fitting as I did purchased from Germany at the time a vario speed control for 1/4 of that price with my VL100 tells me there are lots of options overall your prices seem inflated over there on so many items vis a vie the stuff that David sells out of Australia. It wouls appear most small lathe makers use a formula anyway it would be hard to spot the differences with the various makesw and models by outlines.
Peter.