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  1. #1
    Senior Member
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    10.23.02
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    Post

    I remember someone talking about this awhile ago but i could not find the old info.


    opinions on 3 in 1 mill/drill/lathe
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I have been looking at a 3in1 machine because of very limited space and cash. the 3 machines i am looking at are:

    Harbor Fright 1299.00 FREE shipping
    Shoptask 1895.00 plus shipping
    Smithy 2199.00 plus shipping

    the shoptask and harboir freight look exactly the same in the pictures and all of the specs are exact except for the shoptask has 2 motors and comes with a table and some extra tools.
    Do you guys have any opinions?

    thanks
    Chris

    Harbor Freight 44142-2vga
    FREE SHIPPING
    It's a mill, drill and a lathe all in one machine—perfect for small shops where space is limited. Built tough for non-stop everyday use and loaded with all the features you need. With 16 easily adjustable spindle speeds you can tackle almost any job.

    The Drill Press with its 7/8'' capacity chuck can easily drill large holes through metals, woods and plastic. As a Milling Machine, you can take advantage of the four way power driven milling table for slotting. The Lathe features a quick change gear box for a wide range of inch/metric thread cutting.

    Standard equipment includes a 5'', 3-jaw lathe chuck, JT33 taper drill chuck, two dead centers, double-end wrench, Allen wrenches and flat head screwdriver.
    Mill/Drill head swivels 360°
    16 spindle speeds—120 to 3000 RPM
    12 power feeds
    22 metric and 38 SAE threads
    Thread gauge indicator
    18-11/16'' x 6-1/4'' table size
    62'' x 24'' x 39'' overall dimensions
    Overall base size: 45-1/4" x 8-1/4"
    Four hole mounting pattern: 45-1/4" x 6" on centers
    640 lbs. shipping weight
    Lathe Specifications:
    RPM: 160 to 1360 RPM (7 steps)
    Swing over bed: 17''
    Cross slide travel: 7-3/4''
    Tailstock travel: 3-1/8''
    Distance between centers: 31-1/2''
    Spindle taper: MT4
    Tailstock taper: MT2
    Mill/Drill specifications:
    Motor: 3/4 HP, 110V, single phase
    Spindle nose to table: 12''
    Spindle center to column: 11-1/4''
    Spindle travel: 4-1/4''
    Longitudinal travel: 30''
    Spindle taper: R8 with JT33 drill chuck taper
    End mill capacity: 1-1/8''
    Drilling capacity: 7/8''

    $1299.00 Freee Shipping

    SHOPTASK Gun Master
    RETAIL PRICE 1895.00

    Over the past 12 years, our famous 17-20
    models have been the industry standard
    for quality and features. For those of you
    who have asked for a machine with a longer
    distance between centers but with all the
    same great functions of the original, we are
    proud to introduce this super new design.
    this great machine has the full 17"swing for
    which we are famous. IN ADDITION, we
    have increased the machine to a full 32"
    between centers. This is the news you gun-
    smiths have been waiting for. Now you can
    have that home shop to make your dreams into
    reality.
    AS USUAL, WE HAVE LOADED THIS
    MODEL WITH A TON OF STANDARD
    FEATURES FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.
    CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING LIST!
    ** TWIN MOTORS
    ** POWER LEAD SCREW AND CROSS SLIDE
    **EASY ADJUST BELT TENSIONERS
    **4.5" QUILL STROKE

    ** SWIVELING MILL HEAD
    **DUAL MILL HEAD LOCKS
    ** PUSH BUTTON SAFETY SWITCH
    **WIDE RANGE OF MILL SPEEDS
    ** COMPOUND TURRET TOOLPOST
    |** OFFSETTING TAILSTOCK
    ** RAPID TRAVERSE RACK GEAR
    ** HALF NUT FOR THREADING
    **LARGE SPINDLE TO COLUMN DISTANCE
    ** EXTRA LONG TAILSTOCK STROKE
    **2 SPEED POWER FEED GEARBOX
    PLUS
    Check out the list of tools that come with
    this machine- FREE!


    1 5" 3 JAW CHUCK
    1 2" MILL-DRILL VISE
    1 COMPOUND TURRET TOOLPOST
    1 STEADY REST
    1 FOLLOW REST
    1 FULL SET OF THREADING GEARS
    1 DRILL CHUCK AND ARBOR
    1 END MILL HOLDER
    2 LATHE CENTERS
    1 FULL SET WRENCHES FOR MACHINE
    1 TAPER WEDGE
    1 FEELER GAUGE SET
    1 SET T BOLTS
    3 CARBIDE LATHE TOOLS
    3 END MILLS
    1 DRAWBAR
    1 MACHINE MANUAL
    1 LATHE CHUCK SHIELD
    1 TOOLPOST SHIELD

    1 MILL/DRILL SHIELD

    1 ALL STEEL BENCH WITH DRIP TRAY


    SPECIFICATIONS
    MACHINE 53"L, 19"W, 38" H
    CRATE 55"L, 23"W,45" H
    WEIGHT SHIPPING 800#, MACHINE 650#
    MILL-DRILL SWIVEL 180 DEGREES


    LATHE
    SWING 17" OVER BED 8.5" OVER TABLE
    DISTANCE BETWEEN CENTERS 32"
    SPINDLE BORE 1.1"
    HEADSTOCK TAPER MT4
    TAILSTOCK TAPER MT3
    SPINDLE SPEEDS 7 160 TO 1360 RPM
    THREADING INCH 4-120 METRIC .2-6.0
    CROSS SLIDE TRAVEL 8"
    POWER 3/4 HP 110 VOLT
    MILL
    MILLHEAD TAPER MT3
    MILL TABLE 6.25 x 18.75
    T SLOT 7/16"
    SPINDLE SPEEDS 16 120 TO 3000 RPM
    QUILL DIAMETER 3.15"
    QUILL TRAVEL 4.33"
    DISTANCE TO TABLE 7.75 TO 12"
    POWER 3/4 HP 110 VOLT
    SPINDLE CENTER TO COLUMN 11.25"
    DRILL
    DRILL CHUCK 1/2"
    ARBOR MT 3
    DRILLING DEPTH 4.33"

    WARRANTY 2 YEAR PARTS REPLACEMENT


    SMITHY Granite 1220 LTD
    www.smithy.com/granite1220xl.htm

    Description:

    Our extended capacity CNC model! The Granite1220 LTD CNC is packed with all the features of our Midas 1220 XL plus a whole lot more.

    Benefits & Features:

    Faster mill changeover (leave the chuck on your lathe) & greater capacity - 12" clearance between mill spindle and column.
    Always turn at the right speed - our patented quick-release belt tensioners make spindle speed changes a breeze.
    Cut time in half with our rapid traverse rack & pinion carriage travel.
    Effortless thread cutting with fully reversing lead-screw, half-nut and threading dial.
    Added rigidity, for those large mill set-ups, with dual column locks on the mill head.


    Granite 1220 LTD CNC Specifications:

    Machine dimensions:
    42" L, 20" W, 34" H
    Crate dimensions:
    44" L, 23" W, 38" H
    Shipping weight: 620 lb
    Machine weight: 500 lb
    Power: Twin, 3/4 hp lathe, 1/2 hp mill
    Mill/drillhead stock swivel: 180 degrees
    Calibrated dials:
    leadscrew & cross-slide:
    0.002"
    tailstock: 0.002"
    mill and drill: 0.040"
    Mill:
    Millhead taper: MT3
    Table dimensions:
    6" x 16-3/4"
    T-slot width:
    standard 7/16"
    Speeds:
    9 (315 to 2000 rpm)
    Quill diamiter: 3"
    Working height:
    6-1/4" min., 13" max.
    Quill center to lathe spindle face: 11"
    Accepts end mills up to 1-1/4" in diamiter Drill:
    1/2" precision chuck (up to 3/4" available)
    Chuck arbor taper: MT3
    Spindle to table: 6-1/4 to 13"
    Cutting depth: 3.125"
    Speeds:
    9 (315 to 2000 rpm)
    Lathe:
    Swing:
    12" over bed, 7" over table
    Distance between centers: 20"
    Spindle bore: 1.03"
    Tapers: headstock MT4; tailstock MT3
    Speeds:
    6 (160 to 1600 rpm)
    Pitches:
    SAE (inches) 6 to 30 tpi, metric 0.5 to 4 mm
    Travel: 20" longitudinal, 8" cross-slide

  2. #2
    Contributing Member Steve Demeter's Avatar
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    Beavercreek, Ohio 45434
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    Post

    To use one of those well, I think one has to be a superior machinist, bordering on a magician.

    For one thing, they do not have any controllen downfeed of the spindle or controlled movement of the table in the vertical. This makes it hard to say take a fixed amount of material off in the milling mode.

    If it was me, I would shop around for a used lathe and a Bridgeport type mill. Done right, you could get both for less than the $2100 Smithy and have real equipment.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Dave Hopple's Avatar
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    06.28.01
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    Minneapolis, MN
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    Post

    Chris, they have some really good lathe or mill deals here: http://www.use-enco.com

    If your still looking for a 3-in-1 they have a Smithy 3-in-1 for 1,649.95 and a Enco for 849.95 download the pdf for info
    http://www.use-enco.com/hotdeals/hd0303/5.pdf

    Dave

  4. #4
    Senior Member Ian McKechnie's Avatar
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    01.29.02
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    Rockaway, New Jersey
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    Post

    Also, take a look at the equipment sold by Grizzly (http://www.Grizzly.com). We got one of their combo lathe/mills a few months ago to add the capability of making metal components for our F2000 and other projects. As we have all our equipment and race car in a one car garage and a small part of the cellar, we could only get one that we had the space for. We settled of their Model G4015Z. It is not the most accurate thing on the planet, but works well and is accurate enough. As my driver, son and machinest says: "We are not makng a rocket ship, parts are parts." He had never run a metal working machine before and has had no problem operating it or devising fixturing methods. We did not need a drill, as we already have a floor standing one to go along with the hydrolic press, gas welder, Datona TIG welder, fiberglass body/wing/diffuser fab. stuff, etc., etc. Grizzly has other larger models if you need the capacity and have the space (G9729 & G4791). However, take a good look at the size and weight of the machine to make sure that it will not only fit, but that you can put it on its table or base. Ours weighes in at 500 lbs. unboxed. We had to use our engine crane with a special extension to lift it high enough to both get it off our truck and put it on the table we made.
    If you procure one from another manufacturer, at least get their catalog. They have loads of accessories (you are going to need some of them) at reasonable prices. In any case, have lots of fun with it. You will be surprised as to how handy it will become, even for home defense projects.
    Ian L. McKechnie (dad)
    Crewchief FC 61

  5. #5
    Senior Member
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    10.23.02
    Location
    St. Louis
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    Post

    Thanks for the good info i will have to check out grizzly also. i don't have the space for seperate machines so it has to be 3 in 1 for now.

    here are some pics

    17-32 xmtc shoptask $1895.00 plus shipping but do have specials at around $1,600



    Shoptask bridgemill eldarado (mill goes up and down) $2995.00 plus shipping sometimes on special for $2295.00


    smithy Granite 1220 LTD $2,195.00 plus shipping


    http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/pho...4199/44142.gif
    Harbor Fright $1,295.00 free shipping


    Grizzly G4791 $2595.00 plus shipping


    Grizzly G9729 $1395.00 plus shipping

  6. #6
    Contributing Member
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    09.24.01
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    Post

    I've had a Smithy 1220 XL (next step down from the Granite you mention) for about 7 years, and I'm pretty happy with it. Yes, I would prefer a 'real' mill and a 'real' lathe, but this fits my space, and allows me to do a lot of things I couldn't otherwise do. What surprised me for the first couple of years was that I used the lathe function at least 3 or 4 times as much as I did the mill/drill function.

    The Granite is a useful improvement in that it can powerfeed the table in one direction when using the mill. I haven't really missed a vertical powerfeed.

    The biggest limitation to accuracy are the machine rigidity and the precision of the moving parts like the table and spindle. The Smithy is only ok at best, but most of the time that is plenty good enough. From looking at the pictures, and some limited time looking at other models, I tend to think that the Smithy is at least as good as any others and better than most.

    Don't forget that even with the tooling packages that typically come with the machines, you'll end up spending another $500 to $1000 on tooling and measuring equipment in the first year that you own it if you use it much.

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