03-27-2018, 12:02 PM
I hear you. Yes it's an annoyance on a round column mill/drill , but I'll bet you are really good at locating a zero point now! 
But I've always believed any machine is better than no machine. I started out with nothing more than one of the original Harbor Freight mini-lathe's with the square 4 tool holder posts. What a pain that is to have to re-shim every single cutting tool to get it on center when changing or re-sharpening a tool. Of course now they have quick change tool posts for those lathes, just like they are making dovetail column mill/drills now. Still I don't any regret having bought the mini-lathe because I learned a LOT by getting some hands on time with it.
But I've always believed any machine is better than no machine. I started out with nothing more than one of the original Harbor Freight mini-lathe's with the square 4 tool holder posts. What a pain that is to have to re-shim every single cutting tool to get it on center when changing or re-sharpening a tool. Of course now they have quick change tool posts for those lathes, just like they are making dovetail column mill/drills now. Still I don't any regret having bought the mini-lathe because I learned a LOT by getting some hands on time with it.
Willie