- Joined
- Mar 10, 2019
- Messages
- 42
In the market for a lathe and a mill. I've looked at the few combination options (lathe/mill combo units) available on our side of the pond. Considering I'm digging deeper prior to the purchase, I've ended up walking down the path of uncertainty at this point. Of course, I've looked at the Shop Fox and Grizzly units and although I think I could be somewhat happy with the Shop Fox M1018, the more I look and really think about it....to be honest, the stronger the uncertainty becomes.
I'm certainly no stranger to machines and know my way around them. However, I've never personally owned a machinist lathe or mill in my shop. I've worked with them but just do not own. I do however, on a consistent basis, have my hands on woodworking equipment and for a multitude of reasons, I now want/need some machining tooling.
My dilemma is, although I think the Shop Fox small combo lathe/mill would meet most of my needs, I'm just not sure about whether or not the mill head would get in the way when I'm using the lathe. I loved the idea at first about a combo unit but the more I think about it, not certain if that could be problematic. But then there's the beauty of the combo unit, giving me two machines taking up a minimal space in my already compact shop. I like the size and weight class of the machine for it would integrate into a specified location without hindrance, which is really pulling on me because I wouldn't eat up crucial space in the woodworking side of the house.
But, then I am taken back to whether or not the mill head would be in the way. The models that I have looked at, I think all of them have rotating mill heads but having not ever stood directly in front of one of these combo units and tried my hand on one, is part of the reason for the gray thought. Plus, I think my many years of standing behind a woodworking lathe is to blame for the uneasy feeling on pulling the trigger with the combo unit....it just seems like that mill head may limit/hinder some actions while working at the lathe. Of course, the artistry involved at various levels at wood lathes, invokes a more intimate approach around the chuck and that element is crossing over into this decision. I do love the fact that the top three choices on my list are all capable of running threads..that is a 'must have' for me.
But, if I'm going to spend $2016.00, I might as well just spend a couple hundred more and get the Midas 1220 Smithy lathe. The Smithy is obviously a much better machine. Upon quick glances, one can tell the lathe ways, vises and all are cut to much more exacting standards and finished with an impressive higher quality....it just looks like four to five times more machine in the realm of quality for just $300 more...so that element is no-brainer.
However, the more I read and probe around, many individuals are saying to just purchase a good mini lathe and not worry about the mill option to begin with. Their argument is milling can be done on the lathe horizontally when the need for milling arises and you'll have increased capacity that the mill heads could never muster to begin with. Furthermore, they are heralding mills on combo units are built inferior to a stand alone anyway. So there's that influence.
I think its just the aesthetic and beauty of two machine design nestled into one which is so appealing to me more so than the actual capability of. They're just neat looking machines...and wouldn't take up a bunch of space.
But wondering if I would just be better off with a decent quality, compact benchtop lathe at this point and worry about a mill later should the need arise. I'd probably have to scrunch some equipment up tighter in the shop but I guess it could be done. Sacrificing is my life anyway.
Does anyone own the Bolton mini 16x20 BT500 combo unit? How do you like it? Pros/cons?
Any thoughts on the comparisons? Not really necessarily having to own a mill immediately? Used the Smithy? Own one?
While we're talking about lathes would getting my hands on one of the vintage Craftsman Atlas and rebuilding it be advantageous? I know the gears on those are seemingly made extremely well. I'd love to rebuild one at some point. I guess you need an active lathe already in the shop to do that or are the parts needed available? I'd like nothing more than to make my own parts for an Atlas build but don't have the machining to do that but if the parts are available to the point that I could get one of the Atlas up and running smooth, I think if I had to have a lathe I'd much rather have that one. I just love the design flow and overall soft edges of all the older equipment....that and the fact there housings are bullet proof. I love older equipment and europe holds the larger part of my heart when it comes to uniqueness, make and aesthetic. But...that's another topic entirely.
thanks for your time, chris
I'm certainly no stranger to machines and know my way around them. However, I've never personally owned a machinist lathe or mill in my shop. I've worked with them but just do not own. I do however, on a consistent basis, have my hands on woodworking equipment and for a multitude of reasons, I now want/need some machining tooling.
My dilemma is, although I think the Shop Fox small combo lathe/mill would meet most of my needs, I'm just not sure about whether or not the mill head would get in the way when I'm using the lathe. I loved the idea at first about a combo unit but the more I think about it, not certain if that could be problematic. But then there's the beauty of the combo unit, giving me two machines taking up a minimal space in my already compact shop. I like the size and weight class of the machine for it would integrate into a specified location without hindrance, which is really pulling on me because I wouldn't eat up crucial space in the woodworking side of the house.
But, then I am taken back to whether or not the mill head would be in the way. The models that I have looked at, I think all of them have rotating mill heads but having not ever stood directly in front of one of these combo units and tried my hand on one, is part of the reason for the gray thought. Plus, I think my many years of standing behind a woodworking lathe is to blame for the uneasy feeling on pulling the trigger with the combo unit....it just seems like that mill head may limit/hinder some actions while working at the lathe. Of course, the artistry involved at various levels at wood lathes, invokes a more intimate approach around the chuck and that element is crossing over into this decision. I do love the fact that the top three choices on my list are all capable of running threads..that is a 'must have' for me.
But, if I'm going to spend $2016.00, I might as well just spend a couple hundred more and get the Midas 1220 Smithy lathe. The Smithy is obviously a much better machine. Upon quick glances, one can tell the lathe ways, vises and all are cut to much more exacting standards and finished with an impressive higher quality....it just looks like four to five times more machine in the realm of quality for just $300 more...so that element is no-brainer.
However, the more I read and probe around, many individuals are saying to just purchase a good mini lathe and not worry about the mill option to begin with. Their argument is milling can be done on the lathe horizontally when the need for milling arises and you'll have increased capacity that the mill heads could never muster to begin with. Furthermore, they are heralding mills on combo units are built inferior to a stand alone anyway. So there's that influence.
I think its just the aesthetic and beauty of two machine design nestled into one which is so appealing to me more so than the actual capability of. They're just neat looking machines...and wouldn't take up a bunch of space.
But wondering if I would just be better off with a decent quality, compact benchtop lathe at this point and worry about a mill later should the need arise. I'd probably have to scrunch some equipment up tighter in the shop but I guess it could be done. Sacrificing is my life anyway.
Does anyone own the Bolton mini 16x20 BT500 combo unit? How do you like it? Pros/cons?
Any thoughts on the comparisons? Not really necessarily having to own a mill immediately? Used the Smithy? Own one?
While we're talking about lathes would getting my hands on one of the vintage Craftsman Atlas and rebuilding it be advantageous? I know the gears on those are seemingly made extremely well. I'd love to rebuild one at some point. I guess you need an active lathe already in the shop to do that or are the parts needed available? I'd like nothing more than to make my own parts for an Atlas build but don't have the machining to do that but if the parts are available to the point that I could get one of the Atlas up and running smooth, I think if I had to have a lathe I'd much rather have that one. I just love the design flow and overall soft edges of all the older equipment....that and the fact there housings are bullet proof. I love older equipment and europe holds the larger part of my heart when it comes to uniqueness, make and aesthetic. But...that's another topic entirely.
thanks for your time, chris