Machinist Lathe?

[Revved]

Ok so in talking to a friend i found out he has been shopping combination mill/lathes so I figured I'd do some looking as well. I've read the arguments about how combining them limits the use compared to dedicated units but again I'm only doing small items. Anyone own a combo Mill/ Lathe?

Talking to my machinist his biggest concern would be the HP for cutting steel items. As you guys mentioned above if you don't have enough hp you just end up killing cutting bits and your work piece. We all know horsepower is important in life... just another example.

Baleigh does have a 120v combo unit rated at 1 hp.

http://metal.baileighindustrial.com/...lathe-mld-1030

I did find this one which comes 220v capable with a 1.5hp motor.

http://www.boltonhardware.com/catego...ing-system.php


The more I read the more I'm steering away from the 9x20" lathes reading how in stepping up to the 13"x 40ish sizes the quality of machine improves greatly even in China brands. Stronger machine, better tolerances, etc..