Total newbie, looking for reccommendation.
 

Hello all!

I've been wanting to buy a lathe and mill for some time now, but don't have a huge budget or workshop. I have seen this model: here
which is a lathe/mill combo but am concerned that it is really small.

I'm very new to lathe work, but am keen to do the following:
-Machine disk shaped objects up to 30cm (1 foot) diameter
-Machine gears (namely bevel gears and regular intermeshing gears) and maybe bolts/threads (although I can use a diw for this, right?).
-Machine precision shapes such as the holes in a two stroke engine reed valve block.

It looks like the above device can't work on something with a 30cm diameter in the lathe (I don't suppose the mill could be used for this somehow?). What is the dimension I'm looking for that states the maximm diameter? is it the 'swing over bed'?

If the above is no good for my needs, could you suggest a model that would be of use? Please note that size and price are important factors.

Thanks for all your help in advance.

A lathe for 12" dia parts is a pretty big lathe. I turn 10" parts in my 10" lathe and it is real time consuming running the lathe in backgear to cut the large parts. The lathe you pictured would be perfect for the small engine parts you want to make but prob useless on anything 3" in dia and up. Try ebay for a used lathe, but hold on tight they ain't cheap...Bob
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/

Looking at the above mill/lathe combo machine, would it be possible to mount the large disk onto the mill section, then use the lathe tools to cut it? it'd be a hack job, but I'd only have to do this a couple of times...

exactly what are you trying to machine? Somethings are possible with a mill and some are not. A big mill has 10" travel in the Y axis and over 20" in the x axis.
Combo mill/lathes are not for large work, 12" or what size you have.A 12' lathe is heavy around 900 lbs. A big mill around 2000lbs.regards.