Metal Combination Lathes

[StreetDragster]

Hi All,

I have limited space avalible to me in my garage and i'm considering a combination lathe, i.e a lathe with a milling/pillar drill attachment like a Clarke 500M.

Does anyone have any advice on a machine like this, or experiance of alternatives?
What are they like for getting spares, are they reliable, and major benefits or shortfalls with the design, etc?

It will be used for just general garage odds and sods, making the occasional thing, i won't be doing any major complicated manufacturing.

Thanks

Matt

[StreetDragster]

Thanks for all replies so far. I feel i need to add some detail

I appreciate that seperate, cast iron lathes, milling machines and drill presses are ideal, but i really do not have the space, the only option to me is the combination type lathe, hence the questions specifically about that.

I won't be doing any head skimming or similar on it, just small garage odds and sods. I have been making numerous things over the years where i have thougth to myself 'if i just have a lathe i could knock up a quick spacer/boss/etc' so its for that sort of situation.

15 years ago i was trained to aerospace standards on milling (vertical and horizontal) and lathes (3 and 4 jaw chucks) and i haven't used them since, looking to get back to know them again and see what i have forgotten, but i'm not a novice either.

Anyway, based on the relatively positive review of the Clarke in this thread, and a number of other similar reviews i've read online, i've bought one. Second hand, with alot of accessories, tooling and the stand, so its good value. If it doesn't work out for me i'll be able to sell it for what i bought it for i'm sure.

Thanks again for all help, very interesting.

Matt