Sid, bit late reacting here. Didn't see these postings before. Pity it didn't say Phoenix 2000.
I would have sworn that was my lath, Sid, which is called a Trupro (Taiwanese) here in New Zealand. Gearbox is with rotating levers and indeed at times a bit problematic but it still goes well. Starting on my 3000W inverter is too much and I need my generator running. I have a frequency drive but that is one of the many jobs to do. I feel for you that you had to sell the lathe, fully understand. I think the wife goes first (well... nearly).
Very interesting thread here. We should have a Phoenix 2000 thread. I just ordered the gear to mount the elevator/rudder servos in the back in a similar way as the aileron/rudder servos. This should give me about 50gr to put in the nose and tons more space to put in the fuselage.
No flying since a perfect flight on Saturday and it will be Sunday before I will have time again.