I am taking all the advice in and adding it to the stuff already in my head. I will go to the practical machinist site and look around.
I don't really care were the machinery is manufactured, as long as it is accurate and repeatable. (Its not like I am planning on buying new, unless I win the lottery, and you have to play that to win).
As for the overhead shafting -- I don't think I want to go that route. I live on top of a hill so the waterwheel is out, (literally, no culvert under my driveway, and the rain water runs north and south to different creeks). My neighbor was a BT on a Knox class Frigate back in the 70's though... Hmm, my own personal steam cleaner... Better not.
I think by later this summer I will be in position to start shopping seriously for a lathe, everything else is gravy. The only reason I can see for me to have a shaper is to broach the receiver for a falling block rifle. A five degree vertical sliding wedge breechblock sounds plenty stout for a little imitation boys rifle.
C,mon Crank, as Froggie says the natives are getting restless.
Robert