A friend from work gave me a smithy mill, lathe, drill press with just about every accessory and bits you could think of. The bare metal has,light surface rust on it. What would be the best method to get this thing looking new. Also is there anything i need to lube or double check before plugging in. This hasnt been used since 90s
Smithy mill questions
- Thread starter TexF18
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DocsMachine
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2006
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Try WD-40 and 0000 steel wool on the rust.
As for checking, just make sure everything turns freely by hand. The chuck won't spin like a skateboard wheel, of course, but make sure you don't hear any grindy noises, that's no "tight" spots, etc. Try and set it so that nothing but the spindle turns- there should be levers to disengage the gearbox.
Then make sure there's nothing in the chuck that might get flung out when started.
After that, plug it in and hit the switch.
You'll want to look for lube points too- the headstock should have sealed bearings, but there will likely be spots on the leadscrew, tables, handwheel mounts, and so forth, that will need to be lubed.
And, it should be said, keep in mind that's a 3-in-1 machine; generally speaking they're built cheap, and kind of inherently not all that rigid. Don't expect too much of it.
Doc.
As for checking, just make sure everything turns freely by hand. The chuck won't spin like a skateboard wheel, of course, but make sure you don't hear any grindy noises, that's no "tight" spots, etc. Try and set it so that nothing but the spindle turns- there should be levers to disengage the gearbox.
Then make sure there's nothing in the chuck that might get flung out when started.
After that, plug it in and hit the switch.
You'll want to look for lube points too- the headstock should have sealed bearings, but there will likely be spots on the leadscrew, tables, handwheel mounts, and so forth, that will need to be lubed.
And, it should be said, keep in mind that's a 3-in-1 machine; generally speaking they're built cheap, and kind of inherently not all that rigid. Don't expect too much of it.
Doc.
Go to Smithy and download the users manual (Midas 1220XL).
There's tons of good info on setup and lubrication.
I'd change the main gear oil. There is no drain plug. You need to **** it out of the same plug where you add the oil.
These are nice little machines for small projects. Accuracy is actually quite good.
You owe your friend big time!!!
There's tons of good info on setup and lubrication.
I'd change the main gear oil. There is no drain plug. You need to **** it out of the same plug where you add the oil.
These are nice little machines for small projects. Accuracy is actually quite good.
You owe your friend big time!!!
Squashfest81
Well-known member
Love me some multi-tools. That would fit in well with my Shopsmith's. Lots of pics as you clean her up.
thanks for the info hopefully i will be able to start cleaning it up this saturday. ducksface i will keep you in mind when i get done with clean up and make sure everything is squared away. I do owe my buddy big time.
Used some 000 scotchbrite pads and some Ballistol to clean her up. I also pluged her in and it still runs
