looking for info on "shop fox" line of machine tools
 

cross posted to both alt.machines.cnc and rec.crafts.metalworking

Does anyone have hands on experence with the following
combination lathe-mill? Strong points? Weak points?

In particular does it have power cross feed?

http://wttool.com/p/2007-0010

Thanks

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 13:11:42 -0600, the inscrutable F. George McDuffee
spake:

cross posted to both alt.machines.cnc and rec.crafts.metalworking

Does anyone have hands on experence with the following
combination lathe-mill? Strong points? Weak points?

In particular does it have power cross feed?

http://wttool.com/p/2007-0010

While I can't answer your question, I do have one of Shop Fox'
woodworking tools, the hollow chisel mortiser, and it's a great
machine. Shop Fox tools are like better-tuned Grizzly machines.

Personally, though, I always opt for separate machines. If one dies
and has to be sent away for repair (smaller machines), the rest are
still there and usable. With a combo machine, the whole shop is dead.


----------------------------------------------------------
Please return Stewardess to her original upright position.
--------------------------------------
http://www.diversify.com Tagline-based T-shirts!

The dealer should know about the cross feed. That dealer is getting a lot of
interest in his machinery.. I've seen quite a few other posts lately about
their stuff.
If the machine had power feed, they would most likely mention it.. it's not
mentioned as a feature of their 12x36 lathe either.

By looking at the picture, it looks like a basic 12x36" (or almost 40") with
the added mill assembly.. but it seems that the mill capability is very
limited to the size and position limits of the small cross table.
My guess is that someone wanted to try to add profit to the lathe by adding
an attachment (and a not-very-practical one at that).
The center-bed located mill attachment is somewhat more practical than the
usual headstock mounted mill head on 3in1 machines, but the workpiece table
is too small unless someone only needs to make small parts.
I suspect that the 3-15/16" tailstock ram travel is a misprint or an
exaggeration. About 2" of usable travel might be more realistic.

If there were a way to mill reasonable lengths in the longitudinal direction
with power feed, it would be a more practical reason for having the
attachment.
I've looked at quite a few 3in1 machines that have really small tables for
attaching the workpiece, and limited range of movement (either hand or power
feed).
Consider a full-sized mill with a 8x12 table, yikes.
When looking at multi-purpose machines, it might be worthwhile to decide
what can be mounted to the workpiece table.. a rotary table, a solid milling
vise, a spin indexer and/or other workholding accessories, to contemplate if
the machine is going to be versatile enough for many types of operations.
Otherwise, it might only be suitable for certain small parts.
This machine's lathe/mill capabilities look to be unusually
out-of-proportion. The cross table looks to be about 4x10". It has decent
lathe capabilities, but very limited in milling. You'd be able to turn
fairly large parts, but then setting up the big parts for milling additional
features on those parts would be a (big) problem.

If the designers(?) would manufacture an accessory to utilize the
longitudinal feed for milling longer pieces, they'd be making a decent
improvement.
I'd have to consider a removable sled (secured to avoid lift, and free to
travel) to ride the ways to support a longer/wider mill table.
Cross feed positioning would/might be problematic with a modification like
this.

The mill spindle is 3MT, but R8 would be a more economical approach as far
as the user adding tooling and accessories.

WB
...............

"F. George McDuffee" wrote in message
...
cross posted to both alt.machines.cnc and rec.crafts.metalworking

Does anyone have hands on experence with the following
combination lathe-mill? Strong points? Weak points?

In particular does it have power cross feed?

http://wttool.com/p/2007-0010

Thanks




----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 17:06:11 -0500, "Wild Bill"
wrote:

The dealer should know about the cross feed. That dealer is getting a lot of
interest in his machinery.. I've seen quite a few other posts lately about
their stuff.
If the machine had power feed, they would most likely mention it.. it's not
mentioned as a feature of their 12x36 lathe either.

By looking at the picture, it looks like a basic 12x36" (or almost 40") with
the added mill assembly.. but it seems that the mill capability is very
limited to the size and position limits of the small cross table.
My guess is that someone wanted to try to add profit to the lathe by adding
an attachment (and a not-very-practical one at that).
The center-bed located mill attachment is somewhat more practical than the
usual headstock mounted mill head on 3in1 machines, but the workpiece table
is too small unless someone only needs to make small parts.
I suspect that the 3-15/16" tailstock ram travel is a misprint or an
exaggeration. About 2" of usable travel might be more realistic.

If there were a way to mill reasonable lengths in the longitudinal direction
with power feed, it would be a more practical reason for having the
attachment.
I've looked at quite a few 3in1 machines that have really small tables for
attaching the workpiece, and limited range of movement (either hand or power
feed).
Consider a full-sized mill with a 8x12 table, yikes.
When looking at multi-purpose machines, it might be worthwhile to decide
what can be mounted to the workpiece table.. a rotary table, a solid milling
vise, a spin indexer and/or other workholding accessories, to contemplate if
the machine is going to be versatile enough for many types of operations.
Otherwise, it might only be suitable for certain small parts.
This machine's lathe/mill capabilities look to be unusually
out-of-proportion. The cross table looks to be about 4x10". It has decent
lathe capabilities, but very limited in milling. You'd be able to turn
fairly large parts, but then setting up the big parts for milling additional
features on those parts would be a (big) problem.

If the designers(?) would manufacture an accessory to utilize the
longitudinal feed for milling longer pieces, they'd be making a decent
improvement.
I'd have to consider a removable sled (secured to avoid lift, and free to
travel) to ride the ways to support a longer/wider mill table.
Cross feed positioning would/might be problematic with a modification like
this.

The mill spindle is 3MT, but R8 would be a more economical approach as far
as the user adding tooling and accessories.

WB
..............

The beasty looks very much like the old Emco (not Enco) lathe mill.
Which wasnt a bad machine for its type.

However...unless you are limited to a hall closet...get seperate
units. You will be much much happer.

Gunner

"There is no difference between communism and socialism, except
in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism
proposes to enslave men by force, socialism - by vote. It is
merely the difference between murder and suicide."
- Ayn Rand, from "Foreign Policy Drains U.S. of Main
Weapons"

snip
..............

The beasty looks very much like the old Emco (not Enco) lathe mill.
Which wasnt a bad machine for its type.

However...unless you are limited to a hall closet...get seperate
units. You will be much much happer.

Gunner
====================
We have two Emco Compact 10s at the college. These are change
gear machines. Work well for light duty projects.

Liked the long center distance for possible gun smithing work.

Table travel of the mill appears adequate.

Still would like power crossfeed and if possible power downfeed
for the mill.

"Gunner" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 17:06:11 -0500, "Wild Bill"
wrote:

The dealer should know about the cross feed. That dealer is getting a lot
of
interest in his machinery.. I've seen quite a few other posts lately about
their stuff.
If the machine had power feed, they would most likely mention it.. it's
not
mentioned as a feature of their 12x36 lathe either.

By looking at the picture, it looks like a basic 12x36" (or almost 40")
with
the added mill assembly.. but it seems that the mill capability is very
limited to the size and position limits of the small cross table.
My guess is that someone wanted to try to add profit to the lathe by
adding
an attachment (and a not-very-practical one at that).
The center-bed located mill attachment is somewhat more practical than the
usual headstock mounted mill head on 3in1 machines, but the workpiece
table
is too small unless someone only needs to make small parts.
I suspect that the 3-15/16" tailstock ram travel is a misprint or an
exaggeration. About 2" of usable travel might be more realistic.

If there were a way to mill reasonable lengths in the longitudinal
direction
with power feed, it would be a more practical reason for having the
attachment.
I've looked at quite a few 3in1 machines that have really small tables for
attaching the workpiece, and limited range of movement (either hand or
power
feed).
Consider a full-sized mill with a 8x12 table, yikes.
When looking at multi-purpose machines, it might be worthwhile to decide
what can be mounted to the workpiece table.. a rotary table, a solid
milling
vise, a spin indexer and/or other workholding accessories, to contemplate
if
the machine is going to be versatile enough for many types of operations.
Otherwise, it might only be suitable for certain small parts.
This machine's lathe/mill capabilities look to be unusually
out-of-proportion. The cross table looks to be about 4x10". It has decent
lathe capabilities, but very limited in milling. You'd be able to turn
fairly large parts, but then setting up the big parts for milling
additional
features on those parts would be a (big) problem.

If the designers(?) would manufacture an accessory to utilize the
longitudinal feed for milling longer pieces, they'd be making a decent
improvement.
I'd have to consider a removable sled (secured to avoid lift, and free to
travel) to ride the ways to support a longer/wider mill table.
Cross feed positioning would/might be problematic with a modification like
this.

The mill spindle is 3MT, but R8 would be a more economical approach as far
as the user adding tooling and accessories.

WB
..............

The beasty looks very much like the old Emco (not Enco) lathe mill.
Which wasnt a bad machine for its type.

However...unless you are limited to a hall closet...get seperate
units. You will be much much happer.

Gunner

"There is no difference between communism and socialism, except
in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism
proposes to enslave men by force, socialism - by vote. It is
merely the difference between murder and suicide."
- Ayn Rand, from "Foreign Policy Drains U.S. of Main
Weapons"

Ahma haveta read Ayn! Was just always put off by someone misspelling her
own name.
And I would add: Capitalism, by manipulating the vote. Then, merely the
diff. between murder, suicide, and euthanasia.
Or simply choose the aspect ratio of the huge organ by which one is to be
PV'd. But you *will* be PV'd...
----------------------------
Mr. P.V.'d
formerly Droll Troll

On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 17:30:59 -0500, "Proctologically Violated©®"
wrote:

Gunner

"There is no difference between communism and socialism, except
in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism
proposes to enslave men by force, socialism - by vote. It is
merely the difference between murder and suicide."
- Ayn Rand, from "Foreign Policy Drains U.S. of Main
Weapons"

Ahma haveta read Ayn! Was just always put off by someone misspelling her
own name.
And I would add: Capitalism, by manipulating the vote. Then, merely the
diff. between murder, suicide, and euthanasia.
Or simply choose the aspect ratio of the huge organ by which one is to be
PV'd. But you *will* be PV'd...

Go get him G.
He hates democracy .... among other things .....
--
Cliff

"F. George McDuffee" wrote in message
...
cross posted to both alt.machines.cnc and rec.crafts.metalworking

Does anyone have hands on experence with the following
combination lathe-mill? Strong points? Weak points?

In particular does it have power cross feed?

http://wttool.com/p/2007-0010

Thanks

My recollection is that the Shop Fox line is simply Grizzly's line which
they make available through other dealers.

John