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Posted: 12/17/2010 5:46:08 PM EDT
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Have any of you used one of the 3 in 1 Smithy Machines? Ive got some machine tool training and cant put out for a full blown mill and lathe that i know will work better so i thought about one of these. I also cant fit a mill and lathe seperatly in any space i have avaliable. I see they give a spec for the lathes spindle accuracy but they didnt give one for the mill. I found that a little odd since yes the graduations are important but i want to know the accuracy to see how much slop the machine has. I wish they would allow larger tools to be used than a 3/8" shank i think it was for the mill. Let me know what you can and if you have any pictures of your setup feel free to post it. Thanks, Major |
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That was my origional thought on the used machines. I probably would be better trying to find some kind of seperates. I have all kinds of stuff id like to make from match iron sights, turning barrel profiles, crowning, threading, making various tools and some low volume prototyping for ideas i come up with (not all firearm related). I also have an idea for a rifle reciever that id like to try but still need to do more research on the paperwork side of that. I know that probably didnt help but i have a variety of projects id like to work on. Id want a lathe that had atleast 30" between centers mostly for barrels. I doubt id need near that much for any other project. For the mill all ive ever used that wasnt CNC was a bridgeport and something that pretended to be one and failed. That would be the best thing but i just dont know that i could find a hole for it and a lathe. I wouldnt mind something i could add some CNC parts to so long as i could still use them manually as well. At my skill level some things are just faster on a manual than writing the code. I have used mastercam and gibbs but cant afford either for personal use. |
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i had a Grizzly G9729 Combo Lathe/Mill & a HF 5980 Combo Lathe/Mill
the lathe was ok , the mill sucked you had to mill slow as long as you didnt push the feed to fast it would get the job done . but the total weight was around 700 lbs . for the machine . in most cases you loose your @ss when you want to sell it to upgrade though . i look at the machines now as a learning stage , when you do get the larger Southbend  & the Jet mill you ask why it took so long ..
i would also tell ya to try your very best to make room for a larger machine though. burn through the net , google , craigslist , ebay you will be amazed on how cheap some machines are going for right now but you have to search them out , there is still the over priced old tired machines out there to . there is one little machine i should of kept though the HF 5980 it wouldnt cut threads but it was a handy little machine though . yahoo has a smitty group maybe you can join and ask other questions form them . |
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Quoted:
Have any of you used one of the 3 in 1 Smithy Machines? Ive got some machine tool training and cant put out for a full blown mill and lathe that i know will work better so i thought about one of these. I also cant fit a mill and lathe seperatly in any space i have avaliable. I see they give a spec for the lathes spindle accuracy but they didnt give one for the mill. I found that a little odd since yes the graduations are important but i want to know the accuracy to see how much slop the machine has. I wish they would allow larger tools to be used than a 3/8" shank i think it was for the mill. Let me know what you can and if you have any pictures of your setup feel free to post it. Thanks, Major I have one & would NOT advise someone to get one. It does work for light machine work as a small/short bed lathe with very little throat. But, it flat out sucks as a mill or drill. I guess I am spoiled after running Bridgeport machines & such. Save up & buy dedicated machines even if they do take more shop space. MLG |
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You would be surprised at how little space full sized tools take. My Bridgeport and 11x36 lathe take up a 8' x 8' corner of the garage along with a safe and two tall shelves. Bridgeports tuck into corners pretty well. In my old 400 square foot garage, you could walk right on by the Bridgeport and not even notice it.
Woodworking tools take up the space. |
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