I had an idea a while ago about a mill, or a lathe, that uses a spindle and hub from a car. That way you get tapered roller bearings, and already machined shaft and bearing races. Wouldn't be able to put a spindle bor in the thing though. Had another idea about using the bottom of an engine block, or two connecting rods as the journals for a lathe or mill, and simply having a machine shop turn down a piece of heavy pipe for the spindle itself. That would be the only thing that would have to be done on a lathe.
Stop talking about it and do it already!!!!!
(Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)