There's a couple projects I'd like to make, but it's been 30 years
since I've done any serious metalwork (decent HS machine shop). I'd
like to do a little metalwork again, so here's the two projects, can
you tell me which machine I'll need to start out with? Any other good
advice also welcome.

1) Grinder shaft adapter: 3/4" coarse thread to 1/2" reducer/adapter
(I have a bench grinder w/ a 3/4" threaded shaft. I want to reduce
that shaft to a 1/2" shaft)

2) Stickler log splitting type of tool. This is basically a solid
metal cone: about 4-5" at wide diameter down to a sharp point, about
12" long, the whole thing coarse threaded. Threaded hole also in wide
dia. side to accept shaft. When powered, this is used to split logs

A lathe can make both of these, right? Are these really complex
projects? Can a mini lathe do the work? Are the inexpensive harbor
freight units OK?

Thanks,
H