Good Choice or not so much?

[enginebob]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44859 8x12 Harbor freight lathe.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44991 Harbor freight milling machine.

Anybody own these or have expereince with them? What is the quality of harbor freight's tools? Any help would be great!
EB

 

[Kermit]

The 8x12 lathe would be my choice of the two items you show.

It's alot heftier than the 7x12. I came real close to getting an 8x12 but went with a nine inch in the end.

 

[Jadecy]

I owned a 9x20 for a year or so when I started out and it was a nice lathe. I built my first two engines on it. It did need a little TLC when I first got it home from HF but it is still a good machine and is used by another builder now.

I know you listed a slightly smaller machine but it should be good to. If you can swing a few extra nickles I would try to get at least the 9x20. Steve Bedair and several others have a wealth of info posted on the web for this lathe.

If the smaller is all you can afford right now I would go for it. You have to start somewhere and having something to learn on is better than nothing!