I've lusted after an Okuma LS for years, but don't have the room, and
have been looking for some time for a compact sturdy gearhead to
replace my 10EE.

I'm curious, why replace a 10EE?? Did you actually wear one out? My wife
knows better than to ask me to choose between the 10EE and her.

Now, I sure would like a larger spindle hole. The 10EE has 1.425 spindle
hole. A friend broke his hydraulic rams and needed turning and drill tap on
1.5" rods yesterday. I had to put it in the Mazak M4 (16,000 lb. machine)
Setting up a hydraulic chuck for a one off is a total PITA.

Karl "loves his 10EE" Townsend