drill/mill

[souNdguy]

Not that I have any money leftover to play with right now.. but I notice harbor freight has a drill/mill/lathe setup.. actually a couple i saw. one at some generic chinese store.. one at harbor freight.

both were in the 480-899$ range.

how much work can you actually do with one of these bench top drill/mill/lathe machines?

one of these things worth selling something to generate the cash to buy?

soundguy

 

[retired farmer]

You won't be getting much for your money. These are mostly for model making. I have been looking at them for about ten years. I bought a 9x20 metal lathe from Harbor Freight about seven years ago. Haven't had time to get it out of the crate yet. Bought a 7x10 metal lathe about three years ago and got it set up and used it once for about an hour and something in the motor broke. Took it back to the store and they gave me another one. Spent all winter before last taking it apart and fine tuning it to get it to precision quality. Got it to run true over a six inch cut but you can't take very large cuts or it springs out of line. I just use it for non critical stuff on the farm like enlarging holes in washers that don't fit and making pins and stuff. Works ok. Still trying to get the larger lathe set up and see if it does a better job. You get what you pay for and these smaller machines from china aren't the best. You have to do a lot of work on them when you set them up to get them to work properly. There is quite a bit of information about these machines on the internet. Look under minature lathes, milling machines, 7x10 lathes, 9x20 lathes and such. I don't have a list handy of where I have found information. I would however buy these machines again but don't expect all that much out of them as compared to the more expensive larger machines.

 

[Ken-Pa]

Well Chris , its just like buying tractor parts from those chain type stores . You get what ya pay for & sometimes not good . I would think anything that's versitile as that machine , accuracy would be very questionable . I knew a guy that had a similar lthe/mill & there seems to be slight movement in the locking device . I would prefer a machine designated to its purpose . Lathe for turning & etc . If accuracy isn't a problem with your projects , I'd say ok .I'm no machinist but I still want accuracy in a machine . HTH ! God bless

 

[souNdguy]

Hmm.. I may look at one when in town next time.

I'm no machinist.. but every now and then might be nice to turn a pin down a bit, or machine a bolt hole.. etc..

might have to look at one as a xmas list sugestion for the wife.


soundguy

 

[Hogleg]

Chris,

My suggestion is to pick up a used Atlas/Craftsman. 10" or 12" preferred. Much better choice and cheaper. More rigid. Find an old timer or estate of one that was well taken care of with tooling. SouthBends are better choice but more costly. Quick change gearbox is a plus if you like to make screws/bolts.

http://www.lathes.co.uk/atlas/page3.html

The cost of the lathe is like buying a dog - only the initial payment. Real cost is in tooling to make it do useful work. You can easily double the cost in tooling. Lots of used atlas parts on the bay and prices are pretty fair for the most part. Enco is a good source of tooling and sale prices are pretty good on the import stuff.

I bought a separate small mill from HF, which is useful also but not as much as the lathe. Took R8 tooling so that when I upgrade, it will still run the same tooling. Mill itself cost around $450 with a coupon a few years ago.

Start watching the tools part of craigslist and search for lathe. You will find lots of choices in the bigger metro areas. Many families get these from a death and really have no need beyond selling them to liquidate. Not many younger folks messing with the older machine tools.

John

 

[36 Coupe]

Look at Grizzley Industrial.They will have parts back up.

 

[souNdguy]

I've seen their stuff at some local gun shops. will take a look.

soundguy

 

[Curt south of K.C.]

Soundguy
Here are a couple places to look!!
Enco Manufacturing,NV.1-8oo-873-3626 &
Grizzleys Industrial...
I looked at the ones at Harbor freight they looked little cheap to me. Of course enco & Grizzleys machines are also china made but seemed to be a little better Quality.I have a enco mill with power feed table, bought my lathe at grizzleys.I like separate machines verse the drill mill combination. These are not high end machines but you can do some really nice work with them.You know once you start buying these tools you have to buy them all because one complements the other one. Lots of options,shop around before you buy.
Curt

 

[souNdguy]

local gunsmith is going OOB.. he has grizzly. will have to keep an eye on if he sells it or not.

soundguy

 

[oldbird]

I echo what Hogleg said in his post. (Of course I also admit that I am biased) I would add that you may want too also look at Logan and Southbend lathes in the 10” to 12” swing range. The Atlas, Craftsman, Southbend, and Logan will cost a little more but they will usually come with tooling, chucks, and or collets. You can probably find one in good shape somewhere close by you for $400 to $800.

As for a mill, well same thing again. Look for a good used Bridgeport J-head with variable speed head. Might also look for one that has had digital readouts added. Again they will cost more but usually come with tooling, collets, vises, rotory table, ect. These mills can run anywhere from $2500 to $6000 used. But again you can probably find a good machine for around $2500 to $3000 somewhere close too you.

These are likely going too be 240Volt 3phase machines. So unless your shop is wired for 240v 3ph, you will probably want too look for a 3phase inverter too. But likely any Bridgeport mill you look at will have one included or for sale with the machine. Figure $200 too $300 for this.

If you know a good Machinist ask him too ask around for you. Also have him go with you too look over any used machine if you want too. I’ll bet he will be happy too do it and it never hurts too have a second set of eyes when checking a used machine out.

The machines mentioned here are American made and were built for industrial use. It is often said that an engine lathe is the only machine in the world that is capable of reproducing itself. You can trace the origin of all other machine tools back too the engine lathe. The point I am making is that the lathe and mill can be used too keep themselves in good repair.

You might want too check out a series of videos put out by TubalCain and posted on YouTube. He is a retired Machine Shop instructor living in Illinois and his videos are very informative. Like you, the man knows what he is doing.

However you decide too go, Harbor Freight or used American made, you are going too enjoy having this added ability in your workshop. I have watched you work for a long while now and am always impressed and fascinated. Can’t wait too see what you turn out once you are set up with a mill and lathe.

 

[souNdguy]

way too rich for my blood. if it's over a grand I won't be gettingit.. and that would have to be a multi function machine and some tooling.. at least enough to start playing with.

soundguy

 

[awhtx]

Everybody I ever talked to said the same thing- don't waste your money on one of those combo mill/lathe machines as they do a poor job of each. Buy a lathe and buy a mill.
I bought a WWII era 16" swing South Bend lathe with a 10' (yes 10 feet) bed about 15 years ago for $500. It's too big for the average guy looking for a home use lathe and it's too antiquated for commercial machine shop use so it sold for scrap value. A friend of mine found me a Taiwan copy of a Bridgeport mill with a 10"x50" table about 5 years ago for $1000. Same story- too big for home use and too old for commercial use.
Good deals are out there if you know where to look.

 

[souNdguy]

I think i'm gonna keep an eye on that gunsmith going out of business. he has all grizzly stuff.

soundguy

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Soundguy, I know a 88 year old man near Leesburg, Fl who has a nice machine shop. He won't sell his toys, however some day soon his estate will.
George

 

[souNdguy]

sad ain't it.. lifetime of tools and whatnot and the kids let them go.

I've been at estate sales, and walked out with armloads of tools for less than scrap prices.. good for the buyers.. but still kinda sad.

So he's 88 huh? guess I should start saving some money up

soundguy

 

[Geo-TH,In]

I'll keep you in mind if and when there is a sale.

As for my kids, there is no way thay can keep all my toys and still live in town. Their home owner's association will have a fit.


Update on leaky tranny. The tranny was about 2 quarts low, so it definetly was the source of the leak. Strapped a coffee can under the trany and mowed for 20 minutes. Only a drop came out. Wondering if there isn't a vent on the tranny and when the temp goes up so does the air pressure inside the tanny and the pressure forces the oil out the seal.

Changed the oil to 85-140 and added a quart of PS seal reconditioner. Decided to only finger tighten the oil cap. I never leave tractor outside to get rained on so that shouldn't be an issue and dirt can't get in.

Don't need to mow for a week or two. It's too dry in Indiana for the grass to grow.
George

 

[souNdguy]

you were'n't talkin about yerself were ya?

soundguy

 

[Geo-TH,In]

No, the machine shop and the 88 year old owner is in Leesburg, Fl. I live in Indiana and go to FL in the winter to do a little fishing.

 

[souNdguy]

oh ok.. had me worried.

1, that i thought you might be close to checking out, and 2, that if you really lived that close I should have already stopped by to shake a hand and have some coffee.


soundguy