What to buy me, oh my

Ok, I've been reading this group for a while and rec.crafts.metalworking
for a few years off and on.

I now have money to buy a lathe and mill. There have been lots of
questions regarding what to buy, but I'm gonna try to ask mine a little
differently.

I'm new to metal working, but am pretty proficient with mechanical drawings
and such, from my Navy technical experience.

I want to do anything from building a sterling engine up to some
gunsmithing, as in maybe working barrels for a single shot rifle and maybe
making my own falling block action. Maybe also things like repairing
shafts, pump impellers and other small parts repair/fabrication.

Should I buy a Shoptask a Smithy Granite, I've also been looking at the Jet
9x20 benchtop.

I may still buy the Grizzly 7x12 in addition to something bigger, or maybe
just to start out with it.

Mills, I am totally lost with other than the 3n1 jobs.

It would be nice to have DRO and CNC capability, since my eyes are getting bad.

I have $2500 to $3000 to spend.

I'm going to start calling around the local area, now that I am ready to
buy, and see what is available. There are only 2 or 3 dealers listed in
our phone book, so I'm not expecting much around locally.

I'm cross posting this to multiple groups, so my apologies in advance for
those that read all the groups.

Any help appreciated,
Thanks,

-(o|||||||o)-
Les



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