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Smithy Machine Tools
- Thread starter pjblues
- Start date
Nothing wrong with them.
Someone will come here to tell you the evils of round columns.
Their level of talent isn't conducive to round columns.
Your best bet is to look up.
Smithy projects
and see the beautiful work talented people can do on a Smithy.
Let those projects be your Guide as to the value of a 3 in 1
Someone will come here to tell you the evils of round columns.
Their level of talent isn't conducive to round columns.
Your best bet is to look up.
Smithy projects
and see the beautiful work talented people can do on a Smithy.
Let those projects be your Guide as to the value of a 3 in 1
cvairwerks
Well-known member
PJ: First thing I would do is get a good handle on what you want to accomplish and how big your parts are going to be. Then start looking at machines that will do the task. If you are going to work with quite small, soft material parts, that will point you in one direction. If you are going to work larger parts or harder materials, then it's another direction. No matter which way you go, define these parameters, make allowances for some growth and then see what will fit that criteria. You don't want to buy something that puts you in the position of wishing you had bought something else.
kelving884
Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2017
- Messages
- 18
Smithy & Shopmaster are rivals. When I bought my first 3in1 from Shopmaster the Smithy machines were just Shopmaster cheap copies. I've stuck with Shopmaster because they are a known to me and I'm use to dealing with the owner. From the Smithy website it looks like their product offerings have matured significantly.
I've just recently upgraded to Shopmaster's newest cnc machine, MillTurn and am pretty happy with it. However a few words of caution I think apply to any China made 3in1 machine.
It's made it China which means don't expect typical USA fit and finish. In China close enough is good enough. For example the Chinese VFD for the spindle motors, (same VDF for lathe or mill) has a 5% accuracy and minimal programming options. Probably good enough, but I'm changing it for a schneider electric ATV-312 VFD. 1% accuracy and a ton more programming options.
Most DRO'S are not made for 3in1 machines. This DRO is nice and has a selection button to choose between mill and lathe, (Z axis on a lathe is X axis on a mill). But the manual isn't up to date. Had to email Shopmaster to figure out the button combo to make the switch.
The ways and axis are plumbed into a lubrication system which is nice, but! I figured out after my mill Y axis failed that the lube oil flow restrictor to that axis was plugged. All that is being replace free of charge but I'll have to do the work.
Bottom line is if you want a plug and play machining center with accuracy to the umpteenth decimal point expect to pay 5 to 10x what a Shopmaster or Smithy costs. But if you are willing to live with some compromises and do some work then these 3in1 machines could be just the ticket.
Just don't make the mistake I've seen a few do. Which is paying for a China 3in1 machine and expecting a USA machine costing 10x as much.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
I've just recently upgraded to Shopmaster's newest cnc machine, MillTurn and am pretty happy with it. However a few words of caution I think apply to any China made 3in1 machine.
It's made it China which means don't expect typical USA fit and finish. In China close enough is good enough. For example the Chinese VFD for the spindle motors, (same VDF for lathe or mill) has a 5% accuracy and minimal programming options. Probably good enough, but I'm changing it for a schneider electric ATV-312 VFD. 1% accuracy and a ton more programming options.
Most DRO'S are not made for 3in1 machines. This DRO is nice and has a selection button to choose between mill and lathe, (Z axis on a lathe is X axis on a mill). But the manual isn't up to date. Had to email Shopmaster to figure out the button combo to make the switch.
The ways and axis are plumbed into a lubrication system which is nice, but! I figured out after my mill Y axis failed that the lube oil flow restrictor to that axis was plugged. All that is being replace free of charge but I'll have to do the work.
Bottom line is if you want a plug and play machining center with accuracy to the umpteenth decimal point expect to pay 5 to 10x what a Shopmaster or Smithy costs. But if you are willing to live with some compromises and do some work then these 3in1 machines could be just the ticket.
Just don't make the mistake I've seen a few do. Which is paying for a China 3in1 machine and expecting a USA machine costing 10x as much.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
txvwnut
Well-known member
Shopmaster is garbage and not worth being in the same sentence as Smithy. I know I've owned both and the Shopmaster is not worth it's weight in scrap, neither is the owner of the company.
Smithy on the other hand is a great machine for someone needing an economy setup if your looking at a 3in1. I used to own a 1220xl and it was a great little setup and I made plenty of money with it and many projects too. The reason I got rid of it was I wanted a machine that used R-8 tooling. I also have Smithy lathe at work and it's a good setup too.
Smithy on the other hand is a great machine for someone needing an economy setup if your looking at a 3in1. I used to own a 1220xl and it was a great little setup and I made plenty of money with it and many projects too. The reason I got rid of it was I wanted a machine that used R-8 tooling. I also have Smithy lathe at work and it's a good setup too.
kelving884
Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2017
- Messages
- 18
Ah come on, how do you really feel? LOLShopmaster is garbage and not worth being in the same sentence as Smithy. I know I've owned both and the Shopmaster is not worth it's weight in scrap, neither is the owner of the company.
Smithy on the other hand is a great machine for someone needing an economy setup if your looking at a 3in1. I used to own a 1220xl and it was a great little setup and I made plenty of money with it and many projects too. The reason I got rid of it was I wanted a machine that used R-8 tooling. I also have Smithy lathe at work and it's a good setup too.
Sent from my SM-P900 using Tapatalk
Richard506
New member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2017
- Messages
- 1
I've owned a Smithy Granite 1324 for the last 15 years. I've worked on steel, aluminum and wood with it. Most all turned out well. The only thing I didn't like about it was the lathe tool holder. It is light duty and uses shims to adjust the tool height. So I made my own screw adjustable height tool holder. Milling the 1" stock for this holder pushed the machine to its limit. I see the new ones are offering an adjustable height holder. It is probably worth the extra cost.
So for light to medium duty machining, this machine does the job.
So for light to medium duty machining, this machine does the job.