Should I buy a Lathe/Mill machine

[Dirtlaw]

Might be an ok lathe but it'll be a lousy mill. For that much money look around for an old bridgeport type mill - even a chinese one is better than that. You should be able to find a real mill and lathe for $2500-3000 total.

This is a valid opposing view though I am not sure of the dollar figures. Mills and lathes are pretty durable so there is value in a used machine. One of mine is an old Logan and I even have a collectible Benchmaster and a couple of similar "antiques". There are toolroom machines still available from the space days that are really nice. On the other hand used stuff often has problems so buying new has its own value. I don't know your financial circumstances, but if you just "do it" I think it will be a joyful experience. Buying old or new there will be issues and more things you need to buy, but do it step-by-step as you need it and you should be ok. In what area do you live? When I die my wife will (against my advice) have a fire sale. And I might end up going with totally new stuff if I ever get free of the cage. Until then they have me chained to my desk 3:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a brief release for 30 min. exercise in the yard. The opportunity to play in my workshop fades day by day. Lesson to you -- go out and enjoy it.

[geedavell]

I've been a machinist for 30+ years now.
Aerospace, medical, nuclear and now working in a refinery.
I absolutely love my job.
If I could start my life all over again and do anything I wanted to....I'd still be a machinist!

[Dirtlaw]

I've been a machinist for 30+ years now.
Aerospace, medical, nuclear and now working in a refinery.
I absolutely love my job.
If I could start my life all over again and do anything I wanted to....I'd still be a machinist!

As the movie recites: "You chose wisely."

[Epaphroditus]

Yes! But get a real one. Those cheap combo deals will work OK for wood or acrylic but not so great on metal.

[jlesser27]

[buruli]

I have a full sized mill and lathe at home. The main problem with the multi-purpose machine such as you are looking at it that the Z axis on the mill ( the axis that comes down like a drill press) is too small. By the time you have a vise, a part like a AR lower in the vise, and end mill or drill, and a chuck or collet, you are completely out of any useful amount of Z axis travel.

[17+1]

The LMS guys in Pasadena are nice people. They've given me some deals too. As far as CNC is concerned I haven't made that move yet. There is a board I am aware of, however, that addresses do it yourself conversions.

[67Cuda]

To do any "quality" machining, you need rigidity. That all in one does not have it.
You need to have the room, money on hand and a way to move whatever machine tool you'll find.
Watch craigslist and other local outlets. Be ready to buy, but to know when that time is, you need to go see and get a feel for what is a good deal or a quality deal.
The kicker when buying used from people is, what tooling does it come with. That is where a good deal can be a great deal.

You'll have fun as long as you can be creative and make use of whatever you get.

Here's what I got, had them for more than a couple of decades.

I've had a CNC, fun, but need to have a purpose.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[mauserwerks]

You can run Mach3 through a USB interface. Its close to production quality. It has lots of options, you can edit buttons and commands into personalized Gcodes and insert it to your programs.
It also works great with other automated machines like rotary indexers. Only weak side is documentation for your particular driver boards, the Mach3 forums offer a lot of information and help.

[jlesser27]

Nice setup Cuda!


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[tpliquid1]

Nice sharp machine Cuda. I used to visit them often when I was in different department. Thyy do make pretty good manual mahhines.

[Oldmandan]

I was looking at a Smithy last year, which is kind of similar to the machine you’re looking at there. Mainly I wanted a combo machine due to space constraints in the garage. After much research I found that people who buy the combo machines are generally not happy... and end up going with separate machines anyways.

I ended up getting a PM727V, and will likely get the PM 11x27 or 12x28 lathe later this year. I still don’t know how it’s gonna fit, but I’ll get creative

These are hobby machines, good machines can be found cheaper used. But you run the risk of spending your time restoring an old machine rather than machining if you don’t choose correctly

[heidad01]

Never buy a 2 in 1. Not fit for any precision work. Also, the spindle thru hole is way too small (need 1.5" spindle hole) for any serious work.
2in1s are good for a garage working on stuff that does not need to be precision.
That said, the lathe part is ok for small work but the mill is totally useless for lack of room to set up a mill vise.

Better off with an old logan or even a new one from Enco or other imports. Pick a 12x36 or a 14x40 for a lathe and a separate stand alone mill.

[81turbota]

One of each of course! The BP does everything I need along with the SB 10K lathe.

My FIL has always the lathe/mill 3 in 1, which is fine for his needs. My BP and SB serve my needs differently.

I recently helped a coworker buy and transport a narrow bed Hardinge HLV-H to his home shop. What a sweet machine!! We use them at work but they’re $$$$ on the private market.

[heidad01]

^^^^
Thanks for posting the picture. Worth a thousand words.

Shows how much room and rigidity/weight/mass is needed to mount a vise for work holding. That makes a world of difference when your mill is chewing steel which in turn allows for accurate cutting.
Good luck.