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Message
No offense taken, Mike. We all want to know
the good, the bad and the ugly. Not having any experience with
anything other than my old Sears Atlas small lathe, I will have to accept your
experienced based views. I recognized some of the limitations of this
machine from the start, but decided that I could live with them. Some of
the other limitations I was not aware of.
I would have loved to been able to afford a
Bridgeport Mill and a nice 48" 12" swing Lathe, but alas could not. Since
time is not an issue with me, I can adapt. I am certain that such things
as not being able to rapidly transverse a piece of work will become an irritant
in time.
I am not familiar with the Smithy 3 in 1, but from
you comparison, it would appear that this machine is different in some
areas. For instance, the milling head on this machine does not use a
single drill post like column apparently like the Smithy and many others
do. It has 4 steel rods at each corner that it rides up and down, don't
see how it can be swung out of the way.
The SHOPMASTER ELDORADO BRIDGEMILL
is the only 3 in 1
machine with this super rigid function. Unlike some
machines which
use a drill press style column, the BRIDGEMILL uses
5 steel columns
to insure rigidity and accuracy in your milling
operations. This exclusive
feature allows the mill head to bring the tool
within reach of the table for
smaller work as well as raising it up for
larger pieces. Your mill setups
will be fast and
precise.
It would appear you have to elevate it to its
maximum height to get the mill head out of the way.. Don't know
how the four posts may add or detract from its
stability.
Regarding the table to mill head clearance, the
specs claim:
HEIGHT FROM MILL TABLE 14" MAX 4"
MIN
I realize that the tools and vice will take up some of that space so not
all is "usable", but if it leaves me 6- 9" of head room that will take care
of any needs I foresee at this time.
So I may end up disappointed, but having made do
with a drill press and 6" Atlas Lathe all these years, the capability of this
mill will probably serve my needs for the foreseeable
future. However, I agree that if you can afford the dedicated
well known machines and have room for
them, that is certainly the way to go.
I'll provide some reports once I get it set
up.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2003 8:57
PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Mill Drill and
Lathe
Rusty,
Just my $.02, but hold your horses here.
If you want to get into the machine tool end of things, the FIRST thing you
want is a good lathe that is at least 12x36". A lathe is the basis of all
machine work, and learning how to properly operate one is the best basis for
learning machine tools.
With a nice milling attachment, the lathe
basically converts into a 3in1 machine as it can be used for turning, milling
and drilling operations. The milling and drilling are horizontal and it won't
have quite as much movement when milling. Now here's why you don't really want
this 3in1 machine.
Ed, I don't mean to knock your new
toy, but I had a little 3in1, a Smithy 12x20 (basically the same machine as
this one, but this one is a LOT nicer). I was not at all impressed and kept it
less than a year. It was an OK little machine...if it's all you
had.
what machine it
is, this one or a
SNIP
I will be glad to help you find a nice
lathe if you want me to. I recently found a lathe for friend in PA, who is
finishing an Exec helo. I found him a hardly-used 20yr old variable-speed 5hp
South Bend 14x50" toolroom lathe with quick-change box, 3 and 4 jaw chucks,
follow rest, steady rest (roller type), collet holder, full set of 5C collets,
taper attachment, coolant system, quick change toolpost, Jacob's tailstock
chuck, and cabinet for about $3K. He had to drive about 250miles to get
it. Mike C.
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