Multipurpose machine

J. Neilson

J. Neilson

Joined
Feb 6, 2001
Messages
3,621
I was looking in the Harbor Freight catalog at a 3 in 1 machine on sale for $569.99 and wanted to see if anyone had one of these and what they thought of it (sorry, it's not on the web site anymore, model #5980) When I did check the site I saw this one http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=39743 for $400.00. I'm mostly just planning on slotting guards and making nice little turned pommel caps or bobs or whatever you call them so I can do a batch at a time to make up for the loss of "set-up" time with a 3 in 1. Anyone?
 
I can tell you what I have seen of these in the Harbor Freight store here.

They may be okay for a home machinist (doing stuff that takes a bit more accuracy than the eye), but I don't know how much mileage you will get from them from your intended purpose. The ways are a bit sloppy, and I doubt the adjustment there is great either. The quills and gears are kind of sloppy as well, but may be sufficient for your purpose.

If it were me, and this is simply me, I would take this as a learning opprtunity and learn something that will serve you well for some of your knifemaking, and maybe more (I am not discrediting your work at all). Go to lindsaybks.com and look at the Gingery machine shop from scrap series. The books are cheap, and the stuff to make the equipment in the books even cheaper.

I am in the process of building most of the equipment in the books for use in motorcycle parts fabrication, and have thought that some of this may be useful to a large degree int he knife shop as well.

Lindsay also has a few books left on blacksmithing, as well as a very low cost propane forge and furnace. I am not trying to sell you on these folks, but I have been impressed with what I have bought from them.

If you do choose to do the 3 in 1 machine I would look at a smithy. The quality is much better.

Doc
 
J., I have never owned one, but I bet if you did a search on this subject, the replies would be overwhelmingly against the 3 in 1 machine. This link could help: www.practicalmachinist.com
I am really fond of your work, and look forward to your photos. Especially since you do your grinding on a Grizzly. I have one still in the crate it came in, so I know its capable of good work!

Bill
 
Thanks guys. Tear that baby out of it's box. I love these things (Grizzly grinders). I bought a second one this past spring.
:D
 
If you want a mill and a lathe get a mill and get a lathe. My opinion based on asking the same question before I decided. Mill table size is a big deal with a mill and you won't get enough of that on the multi-purpose machine. You may think it is enough but once you realize what else you could do if the table where large enough you will wish you had bought the machines seperately.

RL
 
Amen to that, Roger. Using the lathe bed as the table is a PITA!
 
I know everyone says get the full sized unit, but if your like me and really really limited on space and not doing production work a 3 in 1 unit looks like a good deal. It will be many years if ever befor I will have the shop space to put in a bridgport full sized machine. Not to mention that I'll never get full use out of a small machine, much less a full sized. About 90% of the work will be slotting guards, the other will be odd ball stuff I want to screw around with.

Just do all the reasurch you can and make an informed decision.

I am going to order the Smitty Midas 1220 tomorrow, big step there.

http://www.smithy.com/midas1220.htm
 
I too do not have work space and all I have is the Grizzly mini mill. A bridgeport would be a real dream.

RL
 
I too do not have work space

I don't think anyone ever has the space needed Rodger. I'm a little like you in my interests. In addition to making knives, I build furniture. I also build rifles from scratch. This includes the stocks and receivers. I've slowed down on building kayaks but still crank one out once in a while. I also almost always have a new mountain bike in the works. He!!, I may take up knitting.

The point is that I have to trade off space quite often. I started with an 8X8 shop. Before I finished it, I was adding wings and it grew to 16X16. The larger tools like the mill and lathe were bought, put in my yard under a tarp. I built a deck and moved them on the deck still under the tarps. I built a roof over the deck and from there added sides. In other words, I built a shop around the tools.:o

I have a fairly large yard, (10 acres) but I also have a wife that will not tolerate much of the natural mess I would normally create so I have to get her consent before I do anything.

Point is that I think everyone has a space problem and has to figure out a way around it!:o
 
Peter, somehow I cant see you kayaking down a river with buckskins on and packing a muzzleloader. Knitting maybe.:D
 
Peter,you have all that wasted room! Indian way is, get correctly trained wife in first place! Then, she would be out there building a shop for you,chopping wood,having hot meals on the table,and all the "extras" when desired. And, she would be washing and waxing your new truck and boat during her slack time, and wondering if she has fulfilled the obligations for the day. Sound good? Huh! My wife just brought me another cup of coffee. See what I mean?Go tell her she is undertrained and she has permission to run to the kitchen and get your coffee RIGHT NOW!
 
My wife just brought me another cup of coffee. See what I mean?Go tell her she is undertrained and she has permission to run to the kitchen and get your coffee RIGHT NOW!
Click to expand...

Sadly, it seems that John's post cut off there - maybe he drank that cup of coffee... :p
 
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