Combo Lathe/Mill

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Hi...For years I've wanted to get a combo lathe/mill and there are several brands to chose from in the $1500 price-range...  Fox, Grizzley, Bolton just to name a few.  Does anyone have any experience/opinions on these things?By the way, my father was a tool and die maker and I learned how to use a Lablond lathe when I was 7 and used it pretty regularly through my teenage years but only got training at home and not formally taught. That was 44 years ago and I haven't touched one since.Anyhow, I know these small-sized machines will have their limitations and probably are not as durable as the workhorse I once used but, I'm not planning to keep this thing spinning 24x7.  And yes, I could find some old machines but, there's always the risk/hassle of having to rebuild it or track-down gears that are long out of production...Any thoughts about which brands/models are a better choice would be helpful.ThanksRay
Reply:I have a combo machine. Some will tell you that they are junk, others like me like the machine but realize it is small and has limitations.  Once you identify them all is good.  If you have the coin and the space, seperate bigger tools (Bridgeport, Logan, ETC) are the way to go.  But if you are short on space, and coin a smaller multi machine could be an acceptable substitute.  Grizz, and Bolton have the best out of the box fit and finish, but ALL of em need tweaking, adjusting and cleaning for optimum results, including Grizz, Bolton and others.  Have a look at the Yahoo groups specifically for them and there is a wealth of info on them available to help you decide.  PM me if you need more info or help finding the groups I mentioned.  Hope this helps..BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:Hey Ray,I would opt for individual lathe & mill as your parameters for turning/milling would be greatly expanded. If you are trying to keep costs down, & go with new, you're selection would be narrowed to an import. I can understand reluctance to purchase with used as you don't really know how precise/well-maintained a used unit is. There are quite a few superb used units on Craigslist on occasion that have been babied & only used occasionally by a hobby-user. I'd do some searching there. Many years ago(1970), I picked up a beautiful Southbend 9" lathe with all accessories & loads of tooling for $350..... I still use it. A small bench mill can also be found likewise.If you want to go with new, here's a couple links to the units HF sells. They work well as I have used both, although may need a bit of tweaking. There are a couple sites that discuss tweaking these imports to improve their capabilities. Anyway, just some "food-for-thought".Dennyhttp://www.harborfreight.com/garage-...ine-33686.htmlhttp://www.harborfreight.com/garage-...the-45861.htmlComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:My objections to the combination machines is not the size, but rather that they do each job poorly in comparison to a dedicated machine.  For about the same price as the combination machine, you could by an equivalent sized dedicated machine (from Grizzly).  It would save tons of time versus switching setups back and forth.
Reply:Only because they are popular, I automatically began to consider the combo-machines.  Space considerations (while important) are not critical and if individual (but compact) lathes and mills are available and if they perform better than the equivalent component on a combo-unit then, I will consider that option.  A combo-machine is not out of the question though...Good information folks.  I appreciate it.
Reply:To certain extents, you can mill on a lathe and turn things on a mill. A smaller horizontal mill makes a great second operation lathe, no threading though. As said above, unless you are really cramped for space, I'd pick one machine or the other and then start there. Just looking at the specs on some of the combos, your work envelope is sort of restricted. What exactly do you plan to do machining wise? This is the question.
Reply:I'm in the same boat you are. I've been looking and reading and pulling my hair out over this for 6 months now.I was pretty much sold on a 3-1 combo for the space and amount I will use it but a guy I work with was a machinist and he really talked me out of it. I just bought an Enco lathe with full tooling from Craig's list. It is an older machine but it was well cared for and is tight.  The amount of tooling it came with is what really sold me. Tooling gets very expensive!I figured I'd start with a lathe and then buy a mill down the road.I would look for a good used one with lots of tooling. I would also recommend you look at Smithy's 3-1. They give you some tooling as a starter pack. They have a good financing plan and I hear the customer scv is pretty good too.But I'd still opt for two machines.I personally would stay away from Harbor Freight for lathes/mills. The quality is just not going to be there and your going to get it home and be totally frustrated. Just my two cents.Last edited by Tim M; 10-08-2010 at 12:35 AM.
Reply:This ? seems to come up here a lot and with other tools. One thing to consider with, for example a combo machine, is yeah it's not as "good" as a stand alone, ABC brand. But if you don't need it to be, why spend the money, especially if you don't have it. Myself, for what I do, don't need to mill/lathe stuff to thousandths of an inch. I'd be just carving out a shape, close enough would do. I think this is an important question that needs to be answered before committing to or ruling out a machine. If the combo machine is going to meet your needs, then go for it. You can always up grade later and sell the combo. Upgrading= enough business to make it worth the upgrade and the capitol to do so.Just my thoughts.Bert200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:What about the smithy brand?  I think Smithy makes one that's a bit larger than the Grizzly machines and is supposed to have a bit better overall quality.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:With all the options available, it was looking like it would be another 30-40 years before I touched a lathe again.  About every 3-4 years I wrestle with whether to get some machine shop equipment and the issue of combo vs individual equipment stops me dead in my tracks.Well, if all goes well, tomorrow I'll be the proud owner of an Atlas TH42 lathe.  I'm driving up tomorrow to check it out.  Been talking to the current owner and he says it's functionally fine.  It has only a small amount of tooling, a 3 jaw chuck, and a tailstock chuck.  It also comes with a bench.  That's enough for a good start.  To make the pulley shaft for my project, I'll need a live center -they're cheap enough. Anybody know what the MT size is for this Atlas lathe? Also need to comb every inch of my house to find my dial indicator, mag base etc.  So next, I'm in the market for a mill... but if I get this lathe, maybe I'll just make one!
Reply:Originally Posted by Ray CWith all the options available, it was looking like it would be another 30-40 years before I touched a lathe again.  About every 3-4 years I wrestle with whether to get some machine shop equipment and the issue of combo vs individual equipment stops me dead in my tracks.Well, if all goes well, tomorrow I'll be the proud owner of an Atlas TH42 lathe.  I'm driving up tomorrow to check it out.  Been talking to the current owner and he says it's functionally fine.  It has only a small amount of tooling, a 3 jaw chuck, and a tailstock chuck.  It also comes with a bench.  That's enough for a good start.  To make the pulley shaft for my project, I'll need a live center -they're cheap enough. Anybody know what the MT size is for this Atlas lathe? Also need to comb every inch of my house to find my dial indicator, mag base etc.  So next, I'm in the market for a mill... but if I get this lathe, maybe I'll just make one!
Reply:Originally Posted by jwormanI think the Atlas TH42 will serve you well.  I've had a Atlas qc42 for over 40 years and I don't understand how a household can survive without a metal lathe.  I've used mine for so many jobs, jobs that I never dreamed I'd be involved with those many years ago when I brought the machine home.  I don't have a mill.  Occasionally I wish I did.
Reply:It's a done deal.  The drive up to Pennsylvania was very nice and the previous owner was happy to see it go to an owner that will treat it well.I'm going to end this this thread and transfer it over to the Projects and Pictures section.  Hopefully the admins of this site feel that is an appropriate action and that this restoration project is in-line with a welding forum.  If not, I shall accept their decision.Ray