The RIdgid version from Home Depot was the first lathe I had. The best thing about it was the excellent turning course in the back of the manual.
The worst thing about it was everything else.
I bought it to make something for my son in architect school. Made that, turned a bowl of of glued up oak boards.
Before too long I bought a Jet1642 from Woodcraft and gave the monotube lathe to someone else to play with. He made lots of things with it. Better him than me.
JKJ