Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

This is on sale at my local HF retail store for half the price of the
"comparable" Grizzly unit. Anyone think it's worth having?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46199

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

--Guess you're new at the HSM hobby, eh? In a word 'no' and neither
is the Grizzly.

--
"Steamboat Ed" Haas : The impeachment process
Hacking the Trailing Edge! : exists for a reason...
www.nmpproducts.com
---Decks a-wash in a sea of words---

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

This is on sale at my local HF retail store for half the price of the
"comparable" Grizzly unit. Anyone think it's worth having?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46199


They are pretty limited, and difficult to use what milling capabilities they do
have, but even these basic units have their fans. The closest Grizzly is far
from being twice as much, it's only another $200 and adds an adjustable height
milling head and threading/feeding capability, *considerable* improvements:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/g4015z

Check on the 3-in-1 forum for a more balanced viewpoint. There is lots of
discussion on the HF 5980, the previous version:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/3_in_1...guid=173342820

Personally I like a bigger 3-in-1, I have had a Shoptask for 7 years and love
it.

--
Dennis

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

The lack of lower speeds would bother me, even if there were no other
negatives. And since the motor(s) seem to be built in, that would be
hard to change.

Pete Stanaitis
--------------------------

wrote:
This is on sale at my local HF retail store for half the price of the
"comparable" Grizzly unit. Anyone think it's worth having?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46199

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

On Jan 26, 11:27*am, wrote:
This is on sale at my local HF retail store for half the price of the
"comparable" Grizzly unit. *Anyone think it's worth having?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46199

They have their place but I would pass on the sale.

When I was starting out, I too thought the 3 in 1 machines were really
cool...after doing more research I saw the error of my ways. A big
thanks to the info on this site...lots of smart and knowledgable
people here.

Now if you are in a space challenged location, some of the 3 in 1
machines like the EMCO (Note the "M"..there is a company by name of
Enco) that are quality machines..just excellent..but they have not
been made for decades and they cost quite a bit. If you have a chance
to get one, jump on it. They are a great addition to any shop for
small modeling work.

Mine will come with me to the old folks home...and since I will be old
and won't give a damn...chip cleanup will be a
nonissue....hmmm...maybe I could mount it to my wheelchair?

TMT

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

The lack of lower speeds would bother me, even if there were no other
negatives. And since the motor(s) seem to be built in, that would be
hard to change.


They are not built in. A single motor is on the back side with a step pulley
belt drive system. A push-pull spline clutch selects the lathe or mill. Like
you pointed out, the speed selection is rather limited. But since this version
does not do threading, not that much of a limit. You really shouldn't be
turning any large diameter items on it, so a slow speed of 500 rpm seems OK.

The drive system of the Grizzly has more speeds and a much wider range.

--
Dennis

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 09:27:18 -0800 (PST), with neither quill nor
qualm, quickly quoth:

This is on sale at my local HF retail store for half the price of the
"comparable" Grizzly unit. Anyone think it's worth having?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46199

Guaranteed to make precision parts with 0.100" tolerances!

--
Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it.
Plan more than you can do, then do it.
-- Anonymous

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

On Jan 26, 2:48*pm, (DT) wrote:
This is on sale at my local HF retail store for half the price of the
"comparable" Grizzly unit. *Anyone think it's worth having?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46199

They are pretty limited, and difficult to use what milling capabilities they do
have, but even these basic units have their fans. The closest Grizzly is far
from being twice as much, it's only another $200 and adds an adjustable height
milling head and threading/feeding capability, *considerable* improvements:

http://www.grizzly.com/products/g4015z

Yeah, that's the one I meant. It's twice as much because my local HF
has their 3-in-1 on sale for $499.

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

On Jan 26, 7:20*pm, Larry Jaques
wrote:
Guaranteed to make precision parts with 0.100" tolerances!

Awww...it can't be that bad. I just figured the Grizzly unit came
from the same factory in China and I could start making stuff for only
$500.

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

On Sat, 26 Jan 2008 19:30:05 -0800 (PST), with neither quill nor
qualm, quickly quoth:

On Jan 26, 7:20*pm, Larry Jaques
wrote:
Guaranteed to make precision parts with 0.100" tolerances!

Awww...it can't be that bad. I just figured the Grizzly unit came
from the same factory in China and I could start making stuff for only
$500.

OK, maybe 0.020", then. snicker Spend a bit more and get discrete
machines. Combos always cause a lot more frustration, especially when
you need to make 2+ of something. [My knowledge of this comes from
combo woodworking machines (my buddy's ShopSmith), but I've heard the
horror stories here, too.]

--
Bite off more than you can chew, then chew it.
Plan more than you can do, then do it.
-- Anonymous

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

These are for price buyers only- lathe is strictly manual- no power feed, no
threading
Mill function essentially worthless
Drill function also
If you are serious about machine work, but space limitations dictate a 3 in
1, then look at
www.shopmasterusa.com



wrote in message
...
This is on sale at my local HF retail store for half the price of the
"comparable" Grizzly unit. Anyone think it's worth having?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=46199

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

I think I'll go for separate machines. Thanks all.

Everytime I pick up the machinst magazines at the bookstore I see
someone talking about a South Bend 9". I think I have room for that
and a small milling machine.

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

On Jan 27, 9:04*am, wrote:
I think I'll go for separate machines. *Thanks all.

Everytime I pick up the machinst magazines at the bookstore I see
someone talking about a South Bend 9". *I think I have room for that
and a small milling machine.

While the OP is here, how about giving suggestions as to what separate
machines he shold be looking for?

What, where and for how much would be very helpful to a newcomer to
the hobby.

And...here's our chance to snare another poor soul into our
metalworking underworld. ;)

TMT

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

Actually, what I think I'm going to do is buy a mini-lathe and mini-
mill, since I know I'll use them for hobby work (robotics and such).
And then my experience with those should give me an idea of what to
look for if I decide to get larger machines.

(Found a used South Bend on craigslist today for only $200, but it
sold before I could inquire.)

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

Hey, buddy, c'mere, I got what yer looking for...

What size mill are you lusting for? Is this going to be in a garage, or
downstairs? 115v or 220?

For a small mill, about 125 pounds, the Sieg X2 is fairly well known. It
uses an MT3 spindle. Up from that is the X3 (or slobber, slobber) the
Super X3. About 350 pounds, uses R8 tooling.

For a garage, look at the Rong Fu models for somewhat small (600 or so
pounds). Then there are the Bridgeport models... Oh, yeah, baby... (bump
and grind).



Too_Many_Tools wrote:
On Jan 27, 9:04 am, wrote:
I think I'll go for separate machines. Thanks all.

Everytime I pick up the machinst magazines at the bookstore I see
someone talking about a South Bend 9". I think I have room for that
and a small milling machine.

While the OP is here, how about giving suggestions as to what separate
machines he shold be looking for?

What, where and for how much would be very helpful to a newcomer to
the hobby.

And...here's our chance to snare another poor soul into our
metalworking underworld. ;)

TMT

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

wrote:
Actually, what I think I'm going to do is buy a mini-lathe and mini-
mill, since I know I'll use them for hobby work (robotics and such).
And then my experience with those should give me an idea of what to
look for if I decide to get larger machines.

(Found a used South Bend on craigslist today for only $200, but it
sold before I could inquire.)

www.wttool.com has a package deal , small lathe and mill . Here's a link
..
http://www.wttool.com/product-exec/p...Combo_Packages

I have no experience with these folks , found the link while looking
for a mill .
--
Snag , still looking for a mill

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

Louis Ohland wrote:
Hey, buddy, c'mere, I got what yer looking for...

What size mill are you lusting for? Is this going to be in a garage, or
downstairs? 115v or 220?

For a small mill, about 125 pounds, the Sieg X2 is fairly well known. It
uses an MT3 spindle. Up from that is the X3 (or slobber, slobber) the
Super X3. About 350 pounds, uses R8 tooling.

For a garage, look at the Rong Fu models for somewhat small (600 or so
pounds). Then there are the Bridgeport models... Oh, yeah, baby... (bump
and grind).


And lets not forget www.lathemaster.com and the ZAY7045 machine they
sell , around 1700 bucks delivered .
Guess I need to just bite the bullet and order one of these .
--
Snag , the lusting after a mill tool whore

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

Stay away from the used South Bends etc- Parts are outrageously expensive
and you will spend all your time bidding and waiting on e-bay and
re-building the thing.
Seperate new mini mill and mini lathe will serve you better if that is the
size of work you will be doing. just keep in mind that if you ever want DRO,
seperates will double your costs- same for benches, coolants, CNC etc.

wrote in message
...
Actually, what I think I'm going to do is buy a mini-lathe and mini-
mill, since I know I'll use them for hobby work (robotics and such).
And then my experience with those should give me an idea of what to
look for if I decide to get larger machines.

(Found a used South Bend on craigslist today for only $200, but it
sold before I could inquire.)

Harbor Freight multipurpose machine any good?
 

Thanks for the additional inpput. I probably wouldn't be parting off a
1 1/2" bar at much over 150 rpm though. (I said 150 rpm just to show
off. I'd probably really go at about 100).

Pete Stanaitis
---------------

DT wrote:

The lack of lower speeds would bother me, even if there were no other
negatives. And since the motor(s) seem to be built in, that would be
hard to change.



They are not built in. A single motor is on the back side with a step pulley
belt drive system. A push-pull spline clutch selects the lathe or mill. Like
you pointed out, the speed selection is rather limited. But since this version
does not do threading, not that much of a limit. You really shouldn't be
turning any large diameter items on it, so a slow speed of 500 rpm seems OK.

The drive system of the Grizzly has more speeds and a much wider range.