| Author | Message | ||
     Jim_Witt |
Any Machinest out there? I know absolutely nothing about metal working equipment itself and was curious if something like (notice the something like) the Smithy Three in One machines are worth the money? If not, any suggestions (for home usage) would be appreciated. Cheers, -JW:> | ||
| Jim_Witt |
BTW, I tried moving a couple of messages over here to this new topic, but the system is so slow I'm not able to. Just letting you know, -JW:>  | ||
| Ar15ls1 |
They are ok for very light duty work. Aluminum, brass, bronze or any other soft metals may be ok. Remember that you will only be able to take very light cuts with these machines and be sure to anchor the machine to concrete. If I were you, I would save and at least get a good name brand lathe. | ||
| Csg_Inc |
Jim Try www.grizzly.com or http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net/ubbs/Ultimate.cgi DAVE | ||
| Hoser |
Jim: 3 in 1 discussion here http://bbs.homeshopmachinist.net//Forum1/HTML/002232.html or here http://www.chaski.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php Seems to be alot of negative comments regarding 3in1 machinery . I have one , it's similar to a Smithy Granite 1220 but has 16 speeds on the mill and 7 on the lathe. It also has a few more features than the Smithy and came with a wide assortment of accessories which are extra $$$$ from Smithy. Similar machines are available from Grizzly and Harbour Freight. This one is made by the same manufacturer in China and is marketed in Canada by The House of Tools ,as part of a line of machinery called "Force". They also offer stand alone Lathes , Mills as well as a few different sizes of 3in1 machines . I did quite a bit of research before I finally bought this one , and I am happy with it , the lathe gets more use than the mill , which due to the distance between the spindle and the table requires the use of parallels stacked under the vise to get your work up closer to the spindle. Most of the work I do is small stuff . Light cuts only ! on the mill , or it will chatter. I'm looking for a more suitable vice , that swivels and or can be set at an angle , as well as a small rotary table. I will probably out grow this machine some day but for now it suits my needs nicely. J.D.H. | ||
| Hoser |
This is it ........  $2499.00 Canadian with a whole bunch of accessories | ||
| Jim_Witt |
For starters, when I figure out what to purchase I won't knowingly buy anything made in China (just my constitutional makeup). I’m by no means bound to a 3 in 1 machine and I was just curious if anyone out there had an opinion about them. Thanks so far for the info and discussion links. The Home Shop Machinist discussion area is tit(s) Dave, spent the last 2 hours there. Any other suggesting, tips and notes are much'o appreciated. -JW:> | ||
| Mikej |
JW, My dad was a machinist, two of my brother-in-laws are machinists, none of them has or had one of those. Check the tolerance capability on each machine. For small stuff I bought an older Unimat off ebay to play with. One brother-in-law bought a Bridgeport Mill and a Clausing Lathe for side jobs and home use from a shop going out of business. For quick and dirty stuff those may be okay, I haven't seen one in person, just going by what I've heard. I'll let the real machinists out there answer from here. Clausing link for reference Here's an older one | ||
| Sarodude |
Jim- I have an early Smithy AT-300 (now sold as something else - Midas 1220 I think). What a hunk 'o crap. Pardon me - that might be an insult to hunks 'o crap elsewhere on this planet. The idea is good but they REALLY rosie up the picture for you. The thing needs a lot of time before it can be made somewhat slop-free and accurate. Also, some of their capacities are a bit misleading so read CLOSELY. I feel like a TOTAL idiot for not having returned it in the first 30 days. I got someone on the phone and was sweet talked into hanging onto it. Don't get me wrong - I've used the thing. However, I seem to remember spending way more time cussing it out than getting things done. Nothing wrong with the machine except my expectations of it, I guess. My mistake. The lathe isn't entirely concentric. Backlash, backlash, backlash - order the shims they now make available and hint at being a requirement. Locking handles break - order some spares ASAP or make your own. Changing speeds can be too much of an adventure. Some appropriate tapers (MT4? MT3? Don't remember now) have gotten stuck in the mill head. I could go on but... You get what you pay for. It's a GREAT concept. It's NOT so great for a beginner who has no idea what to look for and how to fix things all things machine shop (me). Whether or not it's a good deal - your call. Lemme know if you want more info either privately or in an appropriate Quick Board thread... -Saro | ||
| Powerranger |
Hay HOSER good to see ya I thought you never post, anyway I am with hoser 3 in 1 machines are the answer if you don't got a lot space. Oh and my S1W rocks!!! | ||
| Hoser |
Here's a couple more "offshore" 3in1 machines , one from Grizzly , from looking at their product line , much of the inventory looks to be "Import" , very much like our House of tools store here. These all look like clones , specs are all very similar.  I think it sells for $1895.00 Want one in red ? Harbour frieght $1395.00  Yes I would have liked to purchase a used lathe manufactured by Clausing , or a Colchester or a Standard Modern but I failed to find one in my area that was in working condition , was complete , and was reasonably priced.What I did end up buying does what I need it to do , and does it very well. It also has a warranty. For years I refused to buy "import" tools , feeling that I wasn't buying quality , especially when it came to power tools. Fact is some import stuff is pure crap , some isn't. The lathe I use at work every day is " import" , yet it's a sweet machine to run , the one I have at home is crude by comparison but is still is capable of producing quality work . J.D.H. | ||
| Hoser |
This one is from shopmaster  Another clone of the three machines above. A friend who is a master machinist and close to retirement assisted me in my decision to buy the Force 3in1 , he thinks it's a good choice for the price . He has recently bought a small CNC mill for home use , I think it's an ENCO , it's used for making small runs of bike stuff , like rear sets , triple clamps , shock adjustment wrenches , all kinds of cool shit. J.D.H. | ||
| Hans |
Those tools make me salivating. Look what tool made me yesterday so happy.  Today it appears to be worth to add it to my little collection of el cheapo tools: Good for nothing but looking well and with a pricetag I could not withstand. Even the electric motor vibrates and its axle shakes and is not straight. The price for this 50 lbs 500 Watts monster: € 39.99 | ||
| Jim_Witt |
Still reading ... thanks. -JW:> | ||
| Buellman1 |
Check on E-bay for milling machines and lathes. I purchased a 9*49 tabled Bridgeport for $890. And also a 12*36 Craftsman lathe for $400. Granted you must be patient, people will almost always outbid you. It took me a full year to get the right deals. | ||
| Buellbob |
Jim I responded to your question on the gdb before I came to the quickboard. I'd move it if I knew how. Check around for machinery auctions. We get Brochures from Auction Houses all the time and there are some real good deals to be had. What will ultimately govern what you buy is how much space you have. If you can find a guy who does m/c work out of his house or on the side his rates should be much more reasonable than regular shops and you don't have to fork out the money for machines and tooling. A lot of guys buy the machinery then get sticker shock by the cost of all the extras like tooling. As far as all in one machines go I would'nt buy one. They just don't look rigid enough and they only look good enough for really light weight stuff but thats just my opinion. they very well might suit your needs. Bob | ||
| Hoser |
Jim: A variety of new and used machinery can be viewed here .......... http://emachinetool.com Here's a Prazi 3in1 , it pretty small bute cute.  | ||
| Jim_Witt |
Jeff (everyone), I appreciate the help and references. I really wanted to know if anyone had actual hands-on experience with any brand of 3 in 1 machine. If so, your thoughts. Thanks to Dave and others, I was directed to a wealth of information in a couple of fourms. Cheers, -JW:> | ||
| Jeffery21 |
I just got a used CNC machine to help me try to make money with my hobby at Innovative Machinery http://www.innovativemachinery.com | ||
| Jeffery21 |
Discuss anything about CNC machines at Machinistsforum http://www.machinistsforum.com |
