On Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:07:02 -0700, "Paul Hovnanian P.E."
wrote:

I'm looking into purchasing a small combo lathe/mill. I could buy one of
each, but I don't have much room in my shop and, unless there's good
reasons to avoid the combo units, that's the way I'd like to go.
snip
==========
A great deal will depend on the types of projects you will be
working on.

For occasional milling, with mainly lathe work, take a long hard
look at a good medium size lathe with a milling attachment. Be
sure you get a lathe with power cross feed.

While a bit of a PITA to set up, you can kluge a low-cost milling
adapter using an inexpensive enco angle plate and your lathe
compound. See
http://mcduffee-associates.us/machin...theMilling.htm

As in much craft/hobby machining the Brits are miles ahead. I
suggest you spend 12$US, and get the book Milling Operations in
the Lathe (Workshop Practice Series, No 5) (Workshop Practice
Series, No 5) (Paperback) by Tubal Cain (Author) ISBN-10:
0852428405 ISBN-13: 978-0852428405
http://www.amazon.com/Milling-Operat...ef=pd_sim_b_14
This will give you a very good idea of what you can accomplish,
equipment needed, etc.

An American made [or at least an American company] that still
produces milling adapters for the lathe is Palmgren.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT...MT4NO=52146726
{many other mill supply houses carry 2 sizes available}

You can buy casting kits to make your own milling adapter
http://www.statecollegecentral.com/m...the/MLA-5.html

free plans to make your own adapter
http://metalwebnews.org/mr-tools/milling-attachment.pdf


Or get the less expensive [and less sturdy, but still useful
chinese imports]
http://littlemachineshop.com/product...2894&category=
http://littlemachineshop.com/product...1956&category=

also google for lathe milling adapter for 75k hits.
to start click on
http://www.janellestudio.com/metal/a...he_milling.txt

Good luck, and let the group know what you decide and how you
make out.


Unka' George [George McDuffee]
-------------------------------------------
He that will not apply new remedies,
must expect new evils:
for Time is the greatest innovator: and
if Time, of course, alter things to the worse,
and wisdom and counsel shall not alter them to the better,
what shall be the end?

Francis Bacon (1561-1626), English philosopher, essayist, statesman.
Essays, "Of Innovations" (1597-1625).