Hello,

This is my first post to this group. I have always wanted to tinker
with metal working.
My shop space is limited so I was considering a Smithy combination
lathe and milling machine.
I know that it would not be as good as dedicated machinery.
My question is, would the Smithy product be a good choice or is there
a better option?
I wouldn't say money isn't an issue, but space and versatility is more
of an issue.

Feedback would be appreciated.

Regards,

Mike B.

I would get a separate lathe and mill even if it meant settling for a
smaller machine. There are many times you need to polish a pin or
shaft and it's a pain with a combo machine to be always breaking
setups.

Auriga wrote:

I wouldn't say money isn't an issue, but space and versatility is more
of an issue.

Oh! Then you want a UWG! http://www.lathes.co.uk/hommel/


Nick
--
The lowcost-DRO:
http://www.yadro.de

If you have settled on a 3 in 1 machine for reasons of space etc. then look
at the shopmaster- www.shopmasterusa.com
Its by far the best of the bunch especially as a mill.
If you are still considering seperates, keep in mind the extra costs of
adding DRO, CNC , two benches etc on 2 seperate machines.

"Auriga" wrote in message
...
Hello,

This is my first post to this group. I have always wanted to tinker
with metal working.
My shop space is limited so I was considering a Smithy combination
lathe and milling machine.
I know that it would not be as good as dedicated machinery.
My question is, would the Smithy product be a good choice or is there
a better option?
I wouldn't say money isn't an issue, but space and versatility is more
of an issue.

Feedback would be appreciated.

Regards,

Mike B.

I have a Shoptask and am very happy with it. I had the same situation, only a
short section of wall space available in my house for one machine tool. I have
added the overarm support like the current generation of the Shoptask (the
Tri-power), and this stiffens the mill considerably. There are several forums
for discussing 3 in 1 machines:

http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/index.php

http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/mai...task&nav=start

http://forums.delphiforums.com/shoptaskUsers/start

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/3_in_1_Lathe_Mill_Drill/

--
Dennis

On Nov 23, 9:08 pm, Auriga wrote:
Hello,

This is my first post to this group. I have always wanted to tinker
with metal working.
My shop space is limited so I was considering a Smithy combination
lathe and milling machine.
I know that it would not be as good as dedicated machinery.
My question is, would the Smithy product be a good choice or is there
a better option?
I wouldn't say money isn't an issue, but space and versatility is more
of an issue.

Feedback would be appreciated.

Regards,

Mike B.

The Smithy I bought new was pure junk. I cannot, with a clear
conscience, recommend one to anyone. All the fasteners were so soft
that even with the provided tool the heads rounded off within a few
tightenings. The Mill head would slip and rotate on it's column in the
middle of a job no matter how tight I got the clamps. Every time the
chuck was removed and replaced, it was never true until I loosened the
mounting bolts and centered it using a dial indicator. The column was
off plumb enough that it had to be shimmed to get it right. Junk.

Mike,
Maybe you should sign up on the
http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/
group. They have a dedicated section for 3 in 1 machines.
DJ



On Nov 23, 8:08 pm, Auriga wrote:
Hello,

This is my first post to this group. I have always wanted to tinker
with metal working.
My shop space is limited so I was considering a Smithy combination
lathe and milling machine.
I know that it would not be as good as dedicated machinery.
My question is, would the Smithy product be a good choice or is there
a better option?
I wouldn't say money isn't an issue, but space and versatility is more
of an issue.

Feedback would be appreciated.

Regards,

Mike B.

On Sat, 24 Nov 2007 11:38:50 +0100, Nick Mueller
wrote:

Auriga wrote:

I wouldn't say money isn't an issue, but space and versatility is more
of an issue.

Oh! Then you want a UWG! http://www.lathes.co.uk/hommel/


Nick
=========================
Even tne paint is expensive
http://www.lathes.co.uk/hommel/page12.html

but I want one.

Nick - How popular were these in Germany and have you ever seen
one in the flesh?

F. George McDuffee wrote:

Nick - How popular were these in Germany and have you ever seen
one in the flesh?

They are *very* rare (well maybe not, but if you have one, you'll keep it
and your children will keep it too) and you'll have to pay a collector's
price. With complete add-ons, they won't go below 5000.- EUR for the UWG 2
in mint condition.

Still want one? :-))
They pop up on eBay from time to time.


There's a similar type quite beefier and once made in Holland. Forgot the
name.

Here's more about the UWG (in German)
http://www.enhydralutris.de/Hommel/index.html

Something similar still being built (new construction, maybe 10 years old)
and almost as flexible is the GOLmatic. http://www.golmatic.de/ I have
seen that tool once. It is well made, no crap (except the lathe is not
soooo good). I once was close buying one, but then retracted because the
distance spindle nose table was too small for me. Not comparable to those
crappy Chinese 3in1!


Nick
--
The lowcost-DRO:
http://www.yadro.de

On Sat, 24 Nov 2007 22:55:04 +0100, Nick Mueller
wrote:

They are *very* rare (well maybe not, but if you have one, you'll keep it
and your children will keep it too) and you'll have to pay a collector's
price. With complete add-ons, they won't go below 5000.- EUR for the UWG 2
in mint condition.

Still want one? :-))
They pop up on eBay from time to time.
=================
Thanks for the info.

Yes I still want one, however I want a big new Mercedes diesel
car too. Won't be getting that either...

Thanks for the input guys.

It helps a novice like myself.

Mike B.





On Nov 24, 4:30 pm, F. George McDuffee gmcduf...@mcduffee-
associates.us wrote:
On Sat, 24 Nov 2007 22:55:04 +0100, Nick Mueller

wrote:
They are *very* rare (well maybe not, but if you have one, you'll keep it
and your children will keep it too) and you'll have to pay a collector's
price. With complete add-ons, they won't go below 5000.- EUR for the UWG 2
in mint condition.

Still want one? :-))
They pop up on eBay from time to time.

=================
Thanks for the info.

Yes I still want one, however I want a big new Mercedes diesel
car too. Won't be getting that either...