[TheForge] advice needed: beginner machinist

[Andrew Vida]

-----Original Message-----
From: Loren Patterson [mailto:and8995@olywa.net]
Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 7:12 PM
To: theforge@mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [TheForge] advice needed: beginner machinist


i appreciate your words... in response, i now question whether a combo
machine is really necessary.. is there anything that a combo machine can =
do
that a seperate lathe or mill can't?

	Take up less space? :)

	Other than that, no.  I think combo machines can do many different =
things
	moderately well, but none of them very well.  Again, it depends on what =
you
	are looking for.  I'm sure you could do hobby things that will please =
you,
	but I will redundantly state that chances are you will outgrow the =
machine's
	capabilities and eventually go to other machinery.  It happens almost =
without
	exception unless the interest never grows beyond a point.

	Besides, for what you'd pay for one of these machines, a decent one =
that is,
	you can probably grab some used machinery in good shape.  I mean, if =
you're
	paying $400 for a combination machine such as this (how much is the =
Grizzly?),
	you can be certain that you will be getting $400 worth.  My Schaublin =
lathe,
	if bought today as equipped, would cost $40K.  You can hold 0.0001"
	(ten-thousandth) with it.  In machine tools, one *usually* gets what =
one pays
	for.  There are always exceptions, but in general this holds.

	Good luck.

	-Andy