ben402•3mo ago

Back when I had to choose between a mill or a lathe for my first shop

I saved up for two years after my first job in a shop in Boise, and I had about $4,500 to spend. It came down to a used Bridgeport mill or a decent South Bend lathe. I went with the lathe because I figured I could turn and thread more parts for the local guys. It worked out, but for the first six months I had to farm out every single milling job, which cut into my profit. Anyone else start with just one major machine and regret the order you bought them in?

3 comments

3 Comments

lucas_johnson29d ago

brookefox, how did you manage jigs without a lathe to make them precise?

brookefox3mo ago

Started with a mill and built jigs to do basic lathe work until I could afford one.

pat1423mo ago

My uncle did the same thing back in the 90s with an old Bridgeport. That kind of make-do hustle is how you really learn the craft. It makes getting the real tool later so much sweeter.