3 in 1 machine or Smithy Machine HELP

RCFlyer55 · Oct 03, 2004, 06:56 PM

I am looking to buy a 3 in 1 lathe, drill press, milling machine. All I really see is the Smithy. I would rather not spend 1-2K on this thing if I do not have too. I saw one in Harbor Freight, but I bought a drill press from them once and it was crap. It did not spin true at all. I would love to find a re-manufactured or used smithy but have no clue where to look. Any suggestions? Has anyone used one and what is your opinion of them? Does anyone else make them besides Shopsmith?

Chuck · Oct 03, 2004, 07:20 PM

How large of a machine do you need?

RCFlyer55 · Oct 04, 2004, 11:47 AM

not too sure never used one and have no idea what I will use it for

Just thought it would be good to have one on hand.

Chuck · Oct 04, 2004, 12:10 PM

Harbor Freight has a couple models. Google for "mini mill" or "mini lathe".

Remember, buying one of these is akin to buying a 35MM camera body. The accessories and tools can cost much more than the machine.

Chuck

SoCalGliderFlyr · Oct 04, 2004, 12:23 PM

Depensing on where you live you can find used equipment dealers. Also keep and eye on the estate sale listings. Always a home work shop being parted out.

For modeling a good band saw and four to six inch belt sander are good starts. Get a decent dust collector too. The belt sanders can really generate particulates. I'm also looking at a 12" disk sander.

RCFlyer55 · Oct 05, 2004, 03:52 AM

I already have a band saw, table saw both 10 inch and 4 inch, a scroll saw, complete dust collection system, compresser, and sander. Most that come into my shop can not believe the set-up. I had a drill press(the only tool I ever bought from horbor freight) and it was garbage so I would never buy a tool from them again.

Chuck · Oct 05, 2004, 10:16 AM

Still don't know what size you're looking for. These machines come in all sizes. There are several brands on the market. Taig makes a multi-purpose machine. It's pretty small, though. Sherline makes a mini lathe, but I don't know if they have a milling attachment. The Enco lathe that is sold under many names has a good rep, and there are some user groups on the net. There is a milling attachment for it also.
Look here for some good info on mini lathes and mills: http://www.mini-lathe.com/Links.htm

Here's a link to Enco: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHM

Chuck

RCFlyer55 · Oct 05, 2004, 05:37 PM

Not looking for a mini machine. Would want at least 20" lathe or bigger. The smallest Smithy would be the smallest I would go, but would really rather the 36" model.

Chuck · Oct 05, 2004, 07:04 PM

The Smithy 1220 does look like a good value for less that a grand and the big one is impressive, but for me would be a bit pricey for something "just to have on hand". I'll have "tool envy" if you get one. Hope you can find a good used or refurbed one.

Chuck

PS - Why don't you email them and ask if there's a Smithy user's group? Might find something there.

RCFlyer55 · Oct 07, 2004, 07:21 PM

Chuck,
G R E A T idea, never even thought of it. I will e-mail them right now. Yeah I am a gadget guy, and I think a bit of an impulse buyer. Well for tools and planes at least.

Jim Ryan · Oct 09, 2004, 07:30 AM

FWIW, I looked hard at all-in-one woodworking machines back when I was putting my shop together, and at the end of the day, they just didn't make sense for me. They tend to cost as much as the various tools purchased separately, as Chuck said the accessories cost $$$, and you get tired of the tedious steps converting it from one machine to another.

I found I could buy the individual tablesaw, drill press, lathe, etc for less money, and I'd have good quality machinery that didn't have to be converted from one task to another in the middle of a project.

Now, I assume from your post that you're interested in metalworking machines? You could certainly buy a mini-lathe for maybe $300 (check eBay), add a milling attachment, and then buy an inexpensive drill press. That would be my preference.

Jim

CosmoCraimer · Oct 09, 2004, 04:05 PM

Has anybody purchase a Harbor Frieght small mill? Not the micro mill, but the mini mill.

I'm interested in getting one, and was wondering which is better HF or Grizzly, or Micro Mart?

And should I get the R-8 or morse taper spindle version?

CosmoCraimer · Oct 09, 2004, 04:06 PM

I was also wondering if the HF band saw is a good buy for the quality?

Bick · Oct 09, 2004, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmoCraimer

Has anybody purchase a Harbor Frieght small mill? Not the micro mill, but the mini mill.
I'm interested in getting one, and was wondering which is better HF or Grizzly, or Micro Mart?
And should I get the R-8 or morse taper spindle version?

Hi,
I don't have a mini-mill but do have a mini lathe (I have a Cummins 7x12) and enjoy it. If you go to www.littlemachineshop.com there's lots of info on the mini mills from various suppliers. Also www.mini-lathe.com has info and links to sites about the mini mill. Hope this is useful.

Bick

bgriggs · Oct 09, 2004, 11:21 PM

Here is a post on my new lathe. Hope this helps. I also did a post on the cnczone about my mini-mill.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285010

http://www.cnczone.com/gallery/show...500&ppuser=1709

Bill

Oct 03, 2004, 06:56 PM	#1
RCFlyer55 Angels without wings Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY, Posts: 689	3 in 1 machine or Smithy Machine HELP I am looking to buy a 3 in 1 lathe, drill press, milling machine. All I really see is the Smithy. I would rather not spend 1-2K on this thing if I do not have too. I saw one in Harbor Freight, but I bought a drill press from them once and it was crap. It did not spin true at all. I would love to find a re-manufactured or used smithy but have no clue where to look. Any suggestions? Has anyone used one and what is your opinion of them? Does anyone else make them besides Shopsmith?

Oct 05, 2004, 07:04 PM	#9
Chuck Where's my chewie? Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Deep in the East Texas Piney Woods Posts: 2,746	The Smithy 1220 does look like a good value for less that a grand and the big one is impressive, but for me would be a bit pricey for something "just to have on hand". I'll have "tool envy" if you get one. Hope you can find a good used or refurbed one. Chuck PS - Why don't you email them and ask if there's a Smithy user's group? Might find something there. Last edited by Chuck; Oct 05, 2004 at 07:07 PM.

Oct 09, 2004, 11:21 PM	#15
bgriggs Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Syracuse Hancock, New York, United States Posts: 907	Here is a post on my new lathe. Hope this helps. I also did a post on the cnczone about my mini-mill. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=285010 http://www.cnczone.com/gallery/show...500&ppuser=1709 Bill Last edited by bgriggs; Oct 09, 2004 at 11:25 PM.

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Oct 03, 2004, 07:20 PM	#2
Chuck Where's my chewie? Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Deep in the East Texas Piney Woods Posts: 2,746	How large of a machine do you need?

Oct 04, 2004, 11:47 AM	#3
RCFlyer55 Angels without wings Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY, Posts: 689	not too sure never used one and have no idea what I will use it for Just thought it would be good to have one on hand.

Oct 04, 2004, 12:10 PM	#4
Chuck Where's my chewie? Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Deep in the East Texas Piney Woods Posts: 2,746	Harbor Freight has a couple models. Google for "mini mill" or "mini lathe". Remember, buying one of these is akin to buying a 35MM camera body. The accessories and tools can cost much more than the machine. Chuck

Oct 04, 2004, 12:23 PM	#5
SoCalGliderFlyr Think Thermals!!!! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Costa Mesa, California Posts: 2,964	Depensing on where you live you can find used equipment dealers. Also keep and eye on the estate sale listings. Always a home work shop being parted out. For modeling a good band saw and four to six inch belt sander are good starts. Get a decent dust collector too. The belt sanders can really generate particulates. I'm also looking at a 12" disk sander.

Oct 05, 2004, 03:52 AM	#6
RCFlyer55 Angels without wings Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY, Posts: 689	I already have a band saw, table saw both 10 inch and 4 inch, a scroll saw, complete dust collection system, compresser, and sander. Most that come into my shop can not believe the set-up. I had a drill press(the only tool I ever bought from horbor freight) and it was garbage so I would never buy a tool from them again.

Oct 05, 2004, 10:16 AM	#7
Chuck Where's my chewie? Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Deep in the East Texas Piney Woods Posts: 2,746	Still don't know what size you're looking for. These machines come in all sizes. There are several brands on the market. Taig makes a multi-purpose machine. It's pretty small, though. Sherline makes a mini lathe, but I don't know if they have a milling attachment. The Enco lathe that is sold under many names has a good rep, and there are some user groups on the net. There is a milling attachment for it also. Look here for some good info on mini lathes and mills: http://www.mini-lathe.com/Links.htm Here's a link to Enco: http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRHM Chuck

Oct 05, 2004, 05:37 PM	#8
RCFlyer55 Angels without wings Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY, Posts: 689	Not looking for a mini machine. Would want at least 20" lathe or bigger. The smallest Smithy would be the smallest I would go, but would really rather the 36" model.

Oct 07, 2004, 07:21 PM	#10
RCFlyer55 Angels without wings Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NY, Posts: 689	Chuck, G R E A T idea, never even thought of it. I will e-mail them right now. Yeah I am a gadget guy, and I think a bit of an impulse buyer. Well for tools and planes at least.

Oct 09, 2004, 07:30 AM	#11
Jim Ryan Ryanaircraft.net Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Cincinnati, OH USA Posts: 1,578	FWIW, I looked hard at all-in-one woodworking machines back when I was putting my shop together, and at the end of the day, they just didn't make sense for me. They tend to cost as much as the various tools purchased separately, as Chuck said the accessories cost $$$, and you get tired of the tedious steps converting it from one machine to another. I found I could buy the individual tablesaw, drill press, lathe, etc for less money, and I'd have good quality machinery that didn't have to be converted from one task to another in the middle of a project. Now, I assume from your post that you're interested in metalworking machines? You could certainly buy a mini-lathe for maybe $300 (check eBay), add a milling attachment, and then buy an inexpensive drill press. That would be my preference. Jim

Oct 09, 2004, 04:05 PM	#12
CosmoCraimer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Downey, California, United States Posts: 7	Has anybody purchase a Harbor Frieght small mill? Not the micro mill, but the mini mill. I'm interested in getting one, and was wondering which is better HF or Grizzly, or Micro Mart? And should I get the R-8 or morse taper spindle version?

Oct 09, 2004, 04:06 PM	#13
CosmoCraimer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Downey, California, United States Posts: 7	I was also wondering if the HF band saw is a good buy for the quality?