I've machined the top part of a 6" part on an 1100.
Important bits:
- I didn't have to reach all the way through it, only an inch or so
- I clamped the part to the table, not a vise
- because there wasn't much stick-out (stubby tools) there was no problem with vertical clearance
I can imagine having to get to the bottom with a long drill would be more trouble ...
I've also machined 4" parts where I reached to the bottom with a 1/4" long carbide end mill. That chattered a fair bit...