Smithy Machines

[TOOLMASTER]

I can this close >< to buying one several years ago...I don't remember what it was that changed the game for me though

 

[wrmiller]

After having bought a Bolton 3 in 1 for a starter, and pretty much hating every moment, I bought a Smithy Granite Max 1324. Tbe Smithy is everything that they said it was. I would rather have bought individual dedicated machines, but the room in my garage doesn't allow for it. There are obviously some drawbacks to the 3 in 1's, mostly and foremost, not having any ways on the mill Z axis. This definitely hampers production. I read one person mentioning tolerances of +/- .010". I don't know where he got his information but I can turn "slip fit no shake" on the lathe all day long. If I'm working something small, and I need close tolerance I take the 3 jaw off and turn from a collet on centers, if bigger, I use the 4 jaw. My 3 jaw has about .0015 tir, but thats the Chuck, put it on centers and I can get .001" or less. Smithy spec's their machines here in the states and they are built in China, but you wouldn't know it.I've had mine over a year and I haven't even had to adjust the gibs since I set it up. The worm gear on the mill quill is adjustable, but difficult to compensate for backlash so I just recently put igagings 6" DRO on it and that solved that. As my budget allows I will upgrade to a 12" on the cross slide and then a 24" on the Y axis. I'll be able to do all 3 for about $110,rather than Smithys $750. My limited experience with their customer service has been positive, and they're glad to help. So I would say if you you have an unlimited budget and space, buy a Bridgeport, and a Monarch, might as well go buy a Porsche while you're at it. If space is limited then a 3 in 1 is an option and I'd be willing to bet Smithys is at least one of the best ones out there, the Granites run about $5500 but if you wait they put them on sale for about a grand less, sometimes with free s&h. If that's too much then that puts you with a Chinese clone, which a Smithy is not. IMHO.

I too looked seriously at the Granite. Even 'test drove' one that was local. Then I had to move for a new job and ended up in an apartment for a few years, so I had absolutely no room for it.

 

[dzljon]

I am brand new to this forum and found this thread that I might be able to contribute to. I have the smithy MI-409 mill and a granite 1324 classic, This mill is a good value to me because you have power feeds on X,Y and Z built into the machine with its own oil sump, the mill table is larger than the comparable machines form Rongfu and Precision Matthews( I really like the PM brand) it measures 9x40 and has almost 25 inches of travel, it is very heavy for the foot print it makes at over 900 Lbs with out a stand and anything thing else that could be added. the main motor is stamped with a 2 hp rating, there is another motor dedicated to the power feeds rated at .5 Hp and the motor to raise and lower the head is 1/3 hp, the control panel is easy and has power tapping built in, I have been pretty happy with this mill. the granite has been good and reliable but I have more space now and looking to get a something with a 40 inch bed and more weight everything I look at and compare always leads me back to the PM-1340GT so I am more than likely going to pull the trigger on that machine in the spring but I am not disappointed with the granite and it has served a good purpose introducing machining to me.

 

[tweinke]

Welcome aboard ! Good info about the Smithy machines, seems to not be a lot out there as far as information.

 

[hattrick300]

I have an older Smithy 1220XL that I purchased several months back. Prior to purchasing this I had never operated a metal lathe or mill so I cannot speak from experience, but I can say that so far I have had a difficult time making anything with a tight tolerance, but it is probably more of an operator error than the machine.

 

[tweinke]

I have a shoptask 1720xmtc and being sure the gibs are properly adjusted and tooling is rigidly mounted is the biggest thing. Seem to be a decent lathe but milling not so much. Recently I bought a PM727m mill what a difference.

 

[ACS_Super]

We use a Smithy Granite at my job. I went to school for Machine Shop years ago, and cut my teeth on a Bridgeports, Leblondes, South Bend, etc. I was pretty reserved to say the least when we bought the Smithy, but I took my time setting it up and went through the manual page by page. I was really impressed with the machine after I got used to it. It has its quirks, due to size and movement restrictions but I haven't found a project yet I could not complete on the Smithy.

Sure I miss the bigger machines, but we do not do enough machinign to justify the cost. I've found it to be challenging and rewarding when I work on the Smithy. Hattrick, I would agree that your issues may be user related. Did you get a manual with your machine? That is your best friend for these machines. If not, I would reach out to Smithy and get a replacement.

Speaking of reaching out to Smithy, I have had to call them a few times and they are wonderful. Very friendly, and very helpful.

 

[dzljon]

Welcome aboard ! Good info about the Smithy machines, seems to not be a lot out there as far as information.

Thanks!

 

[stormtaker]

I have the Smithy Granite 1340 3 in 1 and I'm glad I got it. As a hobby machinist its a perfect starter. Don't listen to what people are saying about these machines. They are just as capable as any other out there as far as tolerence go. If people aren't getting good results its usually operator error, work piece not clamped down tight enough or not a rigid clamp down. Gibs out of adjustment or something. I have had mi e since they first came out and its still running great. The main complaint is switching from lathe to mill which isn't that big of a deal, it just would be nice to have a lathe and a separate mill. I have recently bought a Grizzly G0796 and all my tooling from the Smithy fits the Grizzly. I still use the mill on the Smithy when I have two projects going. Thats the nice part. If your thinking of getting a Smithy 3 in 1 I would recommend the biggest one you can afford or have finianced.

 

[ttabbal]

I'm a noob, with only high school level machining classes. I would really like to pick up a lathe, but the more I think about it, the more I think of things that a mill is really the right tool for. I have been considering a Midas machine, probably the 1230LTD. The longer lathe bed I could see using. I would want to add a QCTP and DRO to it to start with. I would likely need to pick up a follow and steady rest as well, as I have some projects in mind that they would be handy for.

For comparison, the Lathe I am considering is the PM 1030V. It comes with more lathe tooling, which is a plus for me, but obviously the Smithy includes a mill and a slightly larger swing. The biggest workpiece I see using anytime soon would be about 6" diameter though, and that would be rarely done, and likely in aluminum. Honestly, I see myself mostly working with aluminum, brass and a little mild steel. Maybe some plastics when 3D printing is not the right tool for the job.

Space isn't a huge issue, but budget is. I would like to stick to about $3k. I would like to get the most for my money, obviously, but I also want to make sure what I get is usable. I like that the Smithy can rotate the mill head out of the way, so I can use the lathe without interference. That seems like a big complaint people have about combo machines. This would also be a nice upgrade from my el-cheapo benchtop drill press, which is pretty crappy.

Use is strictly hobby. I guess I might consider odd jobs at some point, but I'm not really interested in making a business out of it. I'm fine with it being somewhat annoying to switch between lathe/mill/drill modes. I also don't need the very best accuracy, but I would like to have the machine be able to do a few thou with a decent operator, which I hope to become eventually. To start with, I'd be pretty happy to consistently manage 10 thou. I know tooling will add up fast, but I expect to pick things up a little at a time. Perhaps picking up a basic set to start with, and some HSS blanks. And probably a better wheel for my HF grinder so I can shape them with at least some accuracy. Though the grinder might need some upgrades/replacement as well....

Used market here is iffy, almost going for new prices for pretty beat up gear. As I have no other machine tools, fabricating parts would not be possible, and replacements might be difficult/expensive to source. I think it might be fun to try restoring an old iron machine sometime once I get some skill and practice though.

Both machines have power feeds, though the mill Z on the Smithy looks to be manual, I can live with that.
Lathe work areas are similar, though the PM lathe comes with more lathe specific accessories.
Accuracy/capability? Not sure.
Neither has DRO, but I can add one for a reasonable price.
PM comes with QCTP out of the box, nice.
PM doesn't look to use change gears, nice to have.
Both are 110V. I have 220 single phase available as well.


Are there other things I should consider? Pros/Cons of either direction are welcome, please keep in mind the intended use. I'm not a professional machinist, I'm a hobbyist. I'd love to be able to buy a nice new Southbend and Bridgeport, but that's not in the cards. I am willing to stick to the standalone lathe if it is a much better choice for my uses though. I see myself using a lathe more frequently than a mill, but if I only had a lathe, I see myself trying to use it as a horizontal mill as well, which is obviously not ideal either.