Combo Lathe/Mill Vs. Lathe and Mill

[WILSON]

Originally Posted by Fox

My concern is more on precision, ruggedness, reliability, etc.

Then buy a decent lathe. Don't be afraid to buy a used one - old lathes outlast old machinists. There are plenty of old, under-priced Atlas lathes (maybe even a South Bend or two) out there. You just have to keep an eye out for them.


As was already mentioned, a "combination" anything isn't particularly good at,... anything.
Been there, done that, got the T-shirt (& scars).

[airsmith282]

iam new here just signed up today in fact , any how i have been into machining for less then a year now, i started with a 7x12 metal worker lathe that after 2 months bit the dust on me for some reason, anyhow iam not against mini lathes and will get another one evenually , as my oldst son is now following in my foot steps in metal munching,,i have now a busy bee 10x18 and i love it and it suites my needs for now and its a great machine, iam a airguns parts marker and i do othre stuff as well on my lathe it also has the size and power to handle many jobs and some pretty big jobs as well iam finding out , I looked at the combo lathe/mill sets and they ,look great but i have to agree they are a 50/50 deal and are very liminated as well to what they can do and are made with the biginner in mind, iam still green my self and for what i do its not a pratical machine.. a seperat milling machine and lathe are always best..and i do know busy bee has great stuff and great deals on the machines and tooling etc. there are many other great brands out there as well to.. iam lookng at the busy bee mill/drill thats on sale right now as well it wil suite my needs for the next several years...

any how just my 2 cents worth
but buy the best that you can afford and that also mets your needs as well