No. In fact, they are very easy to look after. Most can be cleaned with a soft brush and a shop vac after use. Periodic lubrication is recommended by the manufacturer, and it’s important to follow their suggestions to prolong the life of your lathe, but it doesn’t take more than a few minutes. With manual gearboxes, take a glance to check the belt for wear each time you change speed. It’s not a bad idea to have a spare handy, but depending on how much use your lathe gets, they last for months or even years.