Smith combo mill?

Will52100

Will52100

Joined
Dec 4, 2001
Messages
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anyone have any experiance with this machine http://www.smithy.com/midas1220.htm

I know, I would love to have a big ol' commercial machine, but might be able to clear enough space off a bench to set this on.:D

What else would I need for it? Primary use would be sloting gaurds, with folders posibly in the future. Along with the odd job that strikes my fancy, like maybe converting a .31 colt repo baby dragoon to .22LR.:p

Any ideas? Not real savy on mill/lath work.
 
I bought a machine just like that one from HF. I love it but don't know how to use it. I noticed Smithy has a lot of accessories to fit it; they are hard to find, the table has odd-sized slots. I got mine on sale from HF for $500; it was on sale for $550, when I offered the manager $500 he took it. Then the motor blew up first time I fired it up, the HF store took a motor out of the display one to give to me. I was/am very satisfied overall. I know the Smithy may have been built to better tolerances, but it's the same frame as the one I have. Worthwhile! Just my 2c.
 
I never was a huge fan of the "combo" machines. Looks like a fairly decent machine, although I think you'd find as much versatility buying the seperate machines. Most likely you can get them both for less than $1000.
 
I've been looking at one of those myself. They look like a good machine. It's a horserace for me to get one of those or build a press first.
:D
Dave the harbor freight version is good? I've got alot of HF tools but, I wasn't sure about the 3 in 1.
 
Hi,
I have it's slightly larger brother the Granite 1325. For general machining in a small footprint they are pretty good. Setup time is longer than on a standard mill or lathe. As Jhiggins says, separate machines are more versatile, If you know the ropes.
That said I like mine. I am in the same boat as Dave in that I do not know how to use it to anything near its capability.
As to slotting guards, you will NEED to get a tall vise , I use a 2 direction slide base vise, to raise my work closer to the mill bit.
This greatly increases the ease of milling small objects and stops the tendency for the bit to wander. Between the vise and slightly extending the head, I can get to anything. Get a set of parallels from ENCO to align your work in the vise.
ENCO has most tooling that you will need, at very good prices.
They also sell heat treat foil and W-1 and o-2 drill rod that smacks down into small billets very easily, but I digress.
In short, 3-in-ones can cost more than 2 seperate machines unless you catch a sale. They take less floor space than 2 machines. They can take longer to set up. Several machinist religious wars have been fought over this issue. Ultimately, the beauty of your work is much more dependant on your skill and not the machine.
Enjoy, Ken
 
they are not very good.........for the amount of money you would spend on one of those you could find two decent used machines.
 
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