Machining and Machines

[83diesel]

I would like to get into simple machining for making tools and other components. Nothing fancy. I don't have the garage space for a use bridgeport or capability of running three phase.

I was looking through the Grizzly catalog and their machines fit into my budget really well. Are these machines good enough for hobby work. I will not be making anything for other people or to very tight tolerances.

What about the Smithy three in one machines are they worth the money?

Thanks

 

[Bolster]

I have had similar questions, debating some sort of small mill or lathe. What I did was subscribe to The Home Shop Machinist magazine, to see what people actually use. After reading this magazine for a year, I decided (for the time being) I'd prefer to hire a machinist on the few occasions I need something fabricated, than to get into it myself. Very expensive hobby in terms of ongoing (not just initial) investments, not to mention time.

The advice that gets repeated ad nauseam is to get the biggest machine you can accommodate. Apparently first time buyers are frequently frustrated by what they can't do with a small benchtop or combo machine.

Will be monitoring this thread with interest...

 

[goodfellow]

I'm not a machinist, but make and refurbish items for my cars and bikes. I have a greared mill/drill and a 3-in-1 mill/drill/lathe. In seven years I haven't been to a machine shop for anything but head decking. Everything else I've managed to figure out by myself or with online help.

 

[mikeatrpi]

I recently bought a HF 5980 3 in 1, used. I have the same intention as you - this will be a learning tool for me. I am hoping to spend the next couple of days building a bench for it so I can start to use it. I have never done machining, but I've been reading the web and watching how-to videos on you tube. I watched craigslist, the home shop machinist and practical machinist web sites for about 4-6 weeks before I found a machine in my price range, locally, that wasn't already sold. I wouldn't have bought this if I had to pay the "new" price. For a fraction of "new", I can't see it being a bad decision.

Those of you who have machined things, can you post pics?