As you may know, I made a mill lathe combo from a 50's atlas lathe with literal junk steel. It was the project. The tool post is not really rigid enough for the table, but I can make it work. I still hesitate to switch back and forth, even though it takes about 3 minutes. If no precision is needed, my belt grinder is faster and very convenient. I'd love both separate but money "and my wife" are the issue. I learned so much making the mill that holds my lathe.
Good analogy. I would also fall into the third group. I had a Smithy 1239 for 17 years and like you, I made a LOT of custom one-off parts for our race program from sand drag quads, sand rails, snowmobiles to race cars. Space and cost were my primary two reasons for the combo when I purchased my Smith back in 1997. If a person knows and understands the limitations of a combo machine they can do good quality work with one. I have also mentioned to people that I thought it was a "decent" lathe but lesser in terms of milling. I purchased a 13x40 lathe and 9x35 knee mill from Matt @ Precision Mathews just over ten years ago now and haven't looked back. Mike
@dazecars I agree. The biggest haters have no personal experience. I found even having a limited machine such as a combo lathe/mill was better than having no machining capabilities at all in my shop.
I started with a Smithy combo machine, in a 1-car garage. I found myself procrastinating projects because I hated changing between lathe and mill tooling. Now I have two mills, a lathe and the combo machine in a 2-car garage. The garage is what I need to upgrade now. Trying to decide between building a shop in the back yard or sell the house and build a barndominium.
Very good comparison! I've owned three combo machines (an earlier Smithy, one from what is now Chicago Lathe American Bridgemill CNC, and a Smithy Granite 1324). Presently I own a 12x36 lathe and a larger benchtop milling machine. I second all you say. If you are limited on space, get a higher end 3-in-1. The current Smithys can, IMO, be labeled as pretty good lathes, with fair milling capabilities. The Granite also has a D1-4 cam lock lathe chuck. Much easier than messing with screw mounts. It's really too bad that something like a Myford Super isn't available in the U.S. They really are capable machines, in a small footprint.
Thats it exactly, "good lathe okay mill". I actually removed the mill head from my combo, purchased a cross slide table and made it a stand alone machine. I was way happier with that than I ever was when it was a combo but the limitation was the travel on the cross slide table requiring me to "upgrade". Now that I have stand alone machines, I reattached the millhead to the combo is the combo will eventually be finding a new home.
I did. I made it a column mill and then rebuilt it as an adjustable column mill. I put the mill head back on the lathe because I got stand alone machines and will be selling the combo.
Best comparison of the 3-in-1 lathe/mill/drill and separate machines. Very realistic information and facts. Well done!
Thanks!!!
As you may know, I made a mill lathe combo from a 50's atlas lathe with literal junk steel. It was the project. The tool post is not really rigid enough for the table, but I can make it work. I still hesitate to switch back and forth, even though it takes about 3 minutes. If no precision is needed, my belt grinder is faster and very convenient. I'd love both separate but money "and my wife" are the issue. I learned so much making the mill that holds my lathe.
you are a perfect example of there being a time and a place for combo machines.
I'm retired and still can't find the time to get everything done. 😂
Multiple machines it is for you then 😂
Good analogy. I would also fall into the third group. I had a Smithy 1239 for 17 years and like you, I made a LOT of custom one-off parts for our race program from sand drag quads, sand rails, snowmobiles to race cars. Space and cost were my primary two reasons for the combo when I purchased my Smith back in 1997.
If a person knows and understands the limitations of a combo machine they can do good quality work with one.
I have also mentioned to people that I thought it was a "decent" lathe but lesser in terms of milling.
I purchased a 13x40 lathe and 9x35 knee mill from Matt @ Precision Mathews just over ten years ago now and haven't looked back.
Mike
It is interesting to me that most of the haters have little to know experience with a combo machine. Glad you liked the video. Thanks for the comment.
@dazecars I agree. The biggest haters have no personal experience. I found even having a limited machine such as a combo lathe/mill was better than having no machining capabilities at all in my shop.
EXACTLY!!
I started with a Smithy combo machine, in a 1-car garage. I found myself procrastinating projects because I hated changing between lathe and mill tooling.
Now I have two mills, a lathe and the combo machine in a 2-car garage. The garage is what I need to upgrade now. Trying to decide between building a shop in the back yard or sell the house and build a barndominium.
do which ever one will give you the biggest shop space 😁
Very good comparison! I've owned three combo machines (an earlier Smithy, one from what is now Chicago Lathe American Bridgemill CNC, and a Smithy Granite 1324). Presently I own a 12x36 lathe and a larger benchtop milling machine.
I second all you say. If you are limited on space, get a higher end 3-in-1. The current Smithys can, IMO, be labeled as pretty good lathes, with fair milling capabilities. The Granite also has a D1-4 cam lock lathe chuck. Much easier than messing with screw mounts.
It's really too bad that something like a Myford Super isn't available in the U.S. They really are capable machines, in a small footprint.
Thats it exactly, "good lathe okay mill". I actually removed the mill head from my combo, purchased a cross slide table and made it a stand alone machine. I was way happier with that than I ever was when it was a combo but the limitation was the travel on the cross slide table requiring me to "upgrade". Now that I have stand alone machines, I reattached the millhead to the combo is the combo will eventually be finding a new home.
Fantastic video👍🏻
Glad you like it
Thank you for the insight and info. VERY informative.
Glad it was helpful, my pleasure!
I have the same 12 x 28 with a BF 25 mill on the back in the middle, i've never used the mill though, i have a RF 45 as well.
several different manufactures use the same castings
@@dazecars Yes, mine's Sieg.
👍
Didn't you split the combo machine into separate mill and lathe machines? Maybe I am remembering somebody else.
He did, but he put it back on since he got the new mill and lathe. At least I think that's what happened
I did. I made it a column mill and then rebuilt it as an adjustable column mill. I put the mill head back on the lathe because I got stand alone machines and will be selling the combo.
That is correct.
first comment.. keep it up man 🌹
glad you like it
👍👍😎👍👍
thanks
If you're retired... 😂😂😂😂😂
speaking in generalizations 😂