[Steve Lindsay]

Hi Harold,
The one you ordered looks like it should be a nice size. The R8 spindle is good!
http://www.lathemaster.com/HEAVYDUTY...E%207045FG.htm

I just tried a google search and found these bench top machines
http://www.americanmachinetools.com/...op_milling.htm

For all around ease of use a regular sized Bridgeport type machine works
well for large or small projects. For the price of a new benchtop mill you might be able to find a used full
sized Bridgeport sized machine in good shape.
http://business.listings.ebay.com/Me...istingItemList

Might also consider an older machine.
Deckel FP1 Universal mills are very good. A friend restored one that I
purchased and then I retrofitted it with 4 axis cnc. I have another FP1
that I'm restoring that I'll leave as a manual mill. These mills were
available with all kinds of attachments.
http://www.lathes.co.uk/deckel/
http://www.lathes.co.uk/deckel/page4.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/deckel/page6.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/deckel/page8.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/deckel/page9.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/deckel/page3.html

Hardinge used to make mills and they are top of the line.
http://www.lathes.co.uk/cataract%20miller/page4.html
http://www.lathes.co.uk/cataract%20miller/page3.html

Hardinge and Deckel mills show up on ebay. Because of their age you should
probably count on having to take the machine apart and cleaning it up. This can
be a large project in itself. Once you have it going again it should last a life
time... plus some. Some I see on ebay look like they have only been repainted to
look good for the sale. This one on ebay looks like it was done right though.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hardinge-Mill-Mi...QQcmdZViewItem

These old hardinge mills were available with a vertical head too...
http://www.lathes.co.uk/cataract%20miller/page3.html

If you plan on only making small parts you might consider a desktop
cnc mill. www.maxnc.com The parts for this knife I made using a Maxnc mill.
But the fixtures used to hold the parts on the maxnc were made on a
regular sized mill.
http://www.lindsayengraving.com/lindsay/Lindsay001.html