Id highly recommend getting full sized machines if you can make the floor space work. A 9x42 Bridgeport tucked in the corner doesnt take up much room, and in fact when done in this manner will take up about the same floor space as a hobby/small mill. Youll never regret the extra mass and HP. Same for the lathe. With a VFD you can run 3-phase machines on single phase 220v.
Often times you can find full sized machines for the same price or less than the hobby sized machines. I have two mills Currently, didnt pay more than $1000 for each. One is a MINT piece, 2hp, Y axis box ways, variable speed, 9x49, little use. That was a steal.
I paid $800 for my Supermax YCM40 CNC mill, granted it needed a new controller. I bought it for the iron.
In the past Ive also had a 9x42 manual Hartford mill I got for $800. Well used but worked better than a hobby mill. Sold it two years later for $1000.
