Star lathes, made by the A. Gentil & Company of La Brevine, Switzerland are now one of just a few surviving European firms still in this specialised market. They can be ordered new, from specialist dealers and also occasionally second-hand from such as Niels Machines. The lathe was originally made in two versions, the No. 7 (to take 6 mm collets) and 7a (to take 8 mm collets), both of 40 mm centre height. The bed, available in 200 mm, 250 mm, 300 mm and 400 mm lengths, was of the "Geneva Pattern" - round with a flat at the back, and stood on the traditional single, detachable foot at the headstock end. The hardened headstock spindle ran in double cone bearings and both hand and motor-drive attachments were available, the electrical version being a particularly well though-out assembly with either a multi-speed countershaft or sewing-machine-like foot-operated unit with variable-speed drive.
Like all makers of such lathes,  the Star has been available as a basic unit or fully equipped with a wide range of extras is various boxed sets..