When you work with raw materials like metal, you’d have to cut them down to bring them into usable shapes. Without the right tool, it would be extremely difficult or downright impossible to get these materials into the desired shapes.

The best lathe mill combo won’t just make all those cutting, drilling, and milling jobs easy, it will also save you a lot of money. You’ll have your projects completed faster without putting any backbreaking effort!

With so many options available on the market, it’s easy to end up with an inferior product. To prevent that, we’ve researched the market and compiled a list of the finest lathe mill combos.

2. KKmoon Mini Metal Lathe

When it comes to lathe mill combos, the first thing that comes to your mind is a big and heavy machine. But the mini mill lathe combo from KKmoon is nothing like that. It’s a compact unit that weighs no more than 7.5 pounds! Thanks to the versatility this one offers, it’s perfect for DIY, hobbyists, and small shop owners.

Constructed with strong aluminum alloy, this model is highly durable and surprisingly light at the same time! Boasting a motor with 20000rpm speed, this isn’t something to take lightly.

You’ll get 6 different functions from this product, making it super convenient. If you need drilling, milling, sanding, sawing, a metal lathe, or even a wood lathe, this single machine is all you need! With it, you’ll be able to process a lot of objects like plastics, wood, soft metal, acrylic, etc.

As a result, it can be used for a wide array of projects. You won’t have to switch between machines as often, saving both time and money. It has all the traits of the best lathe mill combo.

Operating this equipment is pretty easy too. That’s why beginners and hobbyists like it so much. Although it doesn’t come with a manual, you can pick things up quickly. You’ll also get to work with extreme precision so that you can get the best results even if you’re a newbie.

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3. Proxxon 34104 Mill/ Drill Head PF 230 Mill Drill Lathe Combo

The Proxxon 34104 easily fits Proxxon lathe machines and offers a super cost-efficient way of getting yourself a mill drill lathe combo!

This thing features a column that’s 1-3/8 inch by 15-3/4 inch in size along with all the mounting brackets and bolts necessary to set it up. For added convenience, you can change the top slide with a compound table that comes with the product. You will find the X-Y travel to be respectively longitudinal and crosswise.

With a speed variation ranging from 280 to 1500 and a high RPM of 2200, the cuts will be smooth and precise. Your milling and drilling results will be just the way you want them, allowing your craftsmanship to improve. That’s because the right tool such as this makes it possible to finish the tricky parts with ease.  

As for difficulty, this unit is one of the easiest ones to use on the market. So, you don’t have to be a professional to operate this equipment. Although it requires a base machine to be attached to, you’ll be satisfied with the top-notch performance.

It’s a budget-friendly solution for those who already own the lathe machines that this one is compatible with.

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4. Baileigh MLD-1030 Mill Drill Lathe

The MLD-1030 is Baileigh’s gift to the small shop owners that want versatility and functionality of heavier and larger machinery packed into a small package. This compact equipment barely takes up any space but still manages to offer the functions of three different machines!

Whether you need to mill, drill, or perform lathe operations, this model is all you need. Thanks to the two powerful 1HP 110V motors, one for drilling and one for milling, there won’t be any stutter in performance.

Besides, you will get to use the machines independently. There will be less pressure on the motors so they won’t wear out as quickly.

Aided by the sharp blades with adjustable RPM ranging from 50-2000, your cuts will be precise. With the help of the digital readout, you’ll be easily getting accurate cutting speed. You can jump between various modes depending on your needs like the following rest, three-jaw chuck, steady rest, etc.

The head is designed to be sturdy enough to withstand extreme pressure and it boasts a column style base with adjustable depth for more precise work. This unit will run on 120 volts of power. Although it sports a smaller stature, it weighs over 400 pounds which is quite heavy.

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5. Shop Fox M1116 Variable-Speed Mill/Drill with Digital Readout

Whether you’re a hobbyist or a machinist, the Shop Fox M1116 can be an extremely important addition to your workstation. That’s because it’s impressive equipment that offers lots of versatility, reliable durability, and excellent performance. You’ll be milling and drilling seamlessly for years!

Sharing the same features with the larger and more expensive machines, it’s a great one to start your machinist journey with! While this takes on the complicated task of drilling and milling hard materials, operating it is fairly easy due to its user-friendliness.

This robust product features a large table that’s strong enough where you can place any material without causing any damage. Boasting a powerful variable-speed ¾ HP motor, you can rely on it for hours of nonstop operation. 

The R8 spindle can go up to 2250 RPM from 50 RPM. You’ll have complete control over the speed so that you can work with extreme accuracy. There is a digital read-out display placed on the spindle. With that, you can ensure the measurements are correct and minimize any error and waste of materials.  

Shop Fox paid extra attention to make this unit highly durable so that you can enjoy its services for years and years. Every part is built with rugged materials and with the help of amazing quality assurance, this is a product that you can count on for sure!

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7. Jectse Mini Lathe Milling Machine Combo

The Jectse mini lathe tool kit features a super sleek design and comes equipped with a rather powerful motor for consistent lathing operation. If you want precise processing of various materials, this one can be a great option!

You’ll find the main parts like the spindle box, size slider, motor blade, tailstock, etc. to be constructed with metal for reliable durability. The durability is further enhanced by the belt protection cover.

The motor speed of this equipment reaches up to 12000RPM which is quite incredible backed by a 60W motor. However, it drops down to 2000RPM when the lathe is used for machining metal. With the high-speed turning tool, you’ll be able to precisely process soft metal materials.

This compact unit’s center height is about 75mm and the distance between each center is no more than 135mm. It travels 32mm along the X-axis and about 145mm along the Y-axis. This enables precision in your work.

Even though it’s smaller in size, you can still expect this one to perform just as efficiently as a heavier and larger machine.

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8. Mophorn Precision Mini Metal Lathe

The Mophorn precision mini metal lathe is high-quality equipment that offers outstanding functionality. It is designed to easily fit workstation benches and perform complex cutting and turning jobs.

This top-grade machine boasts an all-metal construction that makes it capable of resisting wear so you can expect a longer lifespan from it. You can feel free to rely on it to perform heavy-duty tasks.

Thanks to the massive 750W of motor power, the sturdy spindle will easily reach up to 2,500 RPM of speed.  The spindle features a quick-lock tailstock for added convenience. You can adjust the speed to your preference and the requirement of your workpiece.

With the help of the telescopic sets with scale, you’ll be able to do your metal works more accurately using precise scaling. It’s perfect for processing mini precision parts, modeling works, and more! The processed materials will always have a professional touch as you’ll be able to add finite details with this thing.

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Comparison Chart for Combo Milling Lathe

Lathe Mill Combo Buyer's Guide

You will find a wide variation of lathe mill combos, each offering different features. Some are better in quality and performance than others. So, you’d have to know exactly what you’re looking for before buying.

Even amongst all these differences, there are some things that must remain constant for a lathe mill combo to stand out and be regarded as the best one. You should at least consider the following things before buying to make sure you don’t end up with an undesirable product.

The Combinations

Since this review isn’t about lathe mills but a combo of lathe mills, we’d have to consider the number of combinations as well as the types. For convenience, you’d want to go for the best possible combination that money can buy.

The materials can be cut through various means like using the lathe mill. However, with a combo product, you’d have different ways including milling, drilling, lathe milling, etc.

So, you’d have to consider the combinations offered in the product before making the purchase. Every individual has different needs. You might require a lot of machines and tools crammed up into one product while others might be satisfied with just one machine.

Efficiency

The performance of the lathe mill combo greatly depends on how efficiently it runs. Efficiency is extremely important as you won’t be able to get much out of an inefficient product. It’s even more apparent for a machine that cuts down hard materials using spinning blades that rotate at an incredibly high speed.

In most cases, you’d be able to tell the efficiency by checking various ratings like the revolutions per second or minute. The rating represents the number of times the blade will spin in a specific time frame. You’d also have to consider the voltage usage in order to find out the overall efficiency.

Why are we emphasizing efficiency so much? Simply because an efficient machine doesn’t waste much energy and time. Even after the long operation, it won’t waste the materials as much. It will help you save a lot of money as well.

Remember to buy the most efficient product that suits your needs the most. All of our reviewed products are great at running efficiently. 

Comfortability

Comfortability is something you shouldn’t overlook when buying a mill lathe combo. You are likely to spend a long time with these machines in order to complete your projects. So, if the machine isn’t comfortable enough, you’d have a hard time and end up straining your body.

You can’t obviously test them out in person when you’re in the store but there are other ways to check the comfortability. Certain features can tell whether the product is going to be comfortable and easy enough to use.

Features like allowing the machine to be placed on the table to use, having good and comfy grips can increase the level of comfort. Many top-quality models offer an easy loading facility where you can safely place the materials on the machine before cutting them.

Comfortable lathe mill combos are also more convenient. So, you should consider the features that make such machinery easier to use. You shouldn’t go for something that is likely to put a lot of strain on your body.

Build Quality

You intend to do a lot of cutting using the lathe mill combo. The materials you’re going to cut or drill are supposed to be quite sturdy.

So, naturally, the product must be built with strong and durable components so that it doesn’t easily get damaged. This thing will undoubtedly be under a lot of pressure every time you use it.

If your machine easily cracks or breaks, you’d end up losing a lot of money. That’s something anyone would like to avoid. So, you must check the building materials and make sure to purchase the one that is durable enough to withstand almost anything!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Difference Between a Lathe and a Milling Machine?

While both of these tools are designed to remove materials from workpieces, the difference lies in how they operate. Lathes do their jobs by rotating a workpiece against a cutting tool that is single-bladed. Milling machines use pointed or multi-bladed cutting tools for shaping stationary workpieces.

Is the Combination of Lathe and Mill Reliable?

Many brands produce an amazing combination of lathe and mill products. You can feel free to use any of these two tools whenever you want. They are definitely reliable.

Can I Use a Mill as a Lathe?

It’s possible and you shouldn’t face any problem if you’re dealing with smaller parts. However, the results won’t be as precise and desirable as you move onto work with larger parts. It’s best to a lathe where it’s needed.

Is There any Risk in Operating a Lathe Mill Combo?

There isn’t any risk if you take the necessary precautions and stay as safe as possible in operation. Please note that it’s a machine that sports sharp rotating blades. So, it’s easy to hurt yourself if you aren’t careful enough. 

What is the Best Lathe Mill Combo?

There are many great options that you can choose from. Brands like BestEquip, KKmoon, Proxxon, etc. offer amazing machines that will make your life easier. Our review contains the very best products on the market so you can feel free to go for any of them!

Watch this video and know lathe Mill Combo operation.

Final Words

Investing in a lathe mill combo can be a great idea instead of buying two machines separately. You’ll get the functions of multiple types of machinery in a single machine unit. The best lathe mill combo will allow you to do a lot of complex material processing with ease.

Our mill lathe combo review should help you find the right product out of tons of options on the market. Hopefully, you’ve already found the one you want after reading this article.

If you still can’t decide, we’d suggest you look at the KKmoon mini metal lathe because it offers the right kind of versatility you’d want in a combo machine.