Dan, my favorite vote goes for a Jet table top mill, mine has an 8x24 inch table. It works slick as can be, needed no tuning or refining out of the box, has coolant and pump, takes R8 tooling, runs a 3" face mill or 3/4" end mill, uses a 4 inch swivel vise and does finger guards easily. The mill lives on a steel stand welded of 2" square, 1/8" wall tubing, 1/4" steel plate work top, with heavy wheels so it can be moved around as needed. As a "drill/mill", the disadvantage is relocating the head if you need to move it during work, but a pointer laser mounted on the head allows you to relocate within .002".
Yep, its true, bigger is better, I can't dispute what the machinist's say. Bigger means more rigid, more power, deeper cuts, bigger mills and faster cutting.
But, I can't afford a Bridgeport size mill new, don't want to mess with moving a used full size one and don't have room in my shop for one either.
Most of all, think about what you are going to be making with your mill.
