I'd reckon it's probably got more
basic rigidity (i.e. leaving aside that ridiculous aluminium compound
![Biggrin :grin: :grin:](/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/biggrin.gif)
) than the 7x machine.
In my mind, a mini-lathe is a 7x machine marked by a notable lack of rigidity and significant limitations thst really have to be worked round.
9x, 10x and11x lathes are to me,
benchtop machines that are normally a bit more rigid and often a bit better specified (8x being a weird hinterland of machines of very varying characteristics).
That said, the ML7 is a 7" swing machine (3.5" in English terms) but has a 20" between centres capacity and whilst not without limitations, can comfortably machine most types of steel, so eh...what do I know.