Need Help!- Combi or sepreate???

[Mark Sted]

Hi,
I'm a new member from Ireland and I've been given the task of finding and purchasing some new machinery for the factory I work in.

We currently have a 'Smithy' model G1324 but the drive system is knackered and we want to replace it. This was brought in when the factory was set up (before I started) and was never really used due to the lack of anyone proficent in the use of a lathe or mill.

The question is, do we go with another combi unit or get two seperate machines?
We dont have much use for the machines anyway (touching up operations and small fabrication jobs would all that would be done) so a hobby lathe like the Axminister SIEG C2A 300mm Mini Lathe

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product.a...gecurrency=EUR

and the Axminster SIEG X2 Mini Mill

http://www.axminster.co.uk/currency/...kII-719673.htm

would be able to handle the type of work we need to do but I don't know what the quality of work/finish is like on these small machines.

I was also looking at a 'Chester' Model B Super 3 in 1 as the combi choice.
Does anyone have any experience on any of these machines?

There are some space concerns as well, a combi would fit into the space where the old machine was but if we could free up some floorspace it would be great.
We're located in Southern Ireland so finding a UK or Ireland manufacturer or supplier is a necessity.
Thanks for the help.

[nophead00]

I have a Clarke CL250 combo lathe, which I think is the same as the Chester. I would say go for separate unless you absolutly can't find the space.

The combi has a lot of compromises. E.g. the cross slide is wide so that it can double as a mill table. That limits how close the tail stock can get to the heatstock. It is also high so it limits the height you can get under the drill/mill.

Also the CL300 lathe is a lot better than the CL250. It is more expensive but by the time you have added a compound slide to the 250 there it not much price difference.