Combination lathe,mill and drill press

Havocx · 02-15-2007, 03:41 PM

Hey guys I was wondering what is a good combo machine. I dont have a lot of space and only 120V in the house but I have some crazy ideas that I've been sitting on for a while. I'd like to start working on them and see what I can do.

I was looking at this.
http://www.northerntool.com

Its generally what I want but to ship to Canada they want like $300 on top of that plus its with UPS so they would want another $150 for "surcharges"

Does anyone living in Canada know a good supplier of equipment? I'm in Ontario if that helps.

BTW if this is posted in the wrong area please move. Thanks Dan

Legion · 02-15-2007, 05:47 PM

Trationally im not a fan of 3 n 1 machines but i have seen some great work done on them.

Rainman229 · 02-15-2007, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legion

Trationally im not a fan of 3 n 1 machines but i have seen some great work done on them.

Hey stop knocking me. lol.
My 3 in one has done me good and has cnc at least. Personly I did alot of research in 3 in 1's before i got mine 5 years ago. Mines a Shoptask 3 in 1 . There the origanal designers of the 3 in 1. And aperently as they improved there designs others have started to make the discotinued models. They have alot of the history behind 3 in ones one there site. Besides that i've heard to may horror storys form the stuf habor freight sells.

If you want a 3 in one i would only recomand 2 either a shoptask or smithy.

But on the other hand after 5 years with this i have come to realise 3 in 1's are a pain and don't even use the lathe on it anymore. and planing on getting a regular lathe soon. To much hassel changing back and forth. If it wasn't for the 3 in 1 being cnc i would get a new mill to.

Deus Machina · 02-15-2007, 06:14 PM

Agreed. If you need a good 3in1, listen to Rainman. He knows his. And, frankly, 3in1's aren't *bad* machines, they're just a pain to switch back and forth, and not as user friendly as strict mills and lathes are.

Me, I have Harbor Freight mini mills and lathes (well, Micromark; same base manufacturer--Sieg--but more careful fit and finish) and enjoy them, but they're about the size for 'gun bodies and anything smaller, and not strictly the most stable setup. I won't do any material harder than stainless, at the moment. But they've always done me well. And I do have to readjust the Y-axis gib on my mill.

There's also no reason you *have* to buy new. If you can check out a used machine, you'll save money on the machine itself, and probably shipping if you haul it off. Even better, if it comes with tooling and such.

Heck, you may save enough to get a phase converter, and use a nice 3-phase on your house current. Careful doing that, though. Some machines don't like it, and sometimes fuses don't either.

kidneythief · 02-15-2007, 08:19 PM

I would suggest you save up a bit more money and go after either a larger, more reputable 3 in 1 or just buy separate machines.

The one your looking at there is rather small and does'nt appear to be very rigid. Combine that with the fact that it is not only a mill/drill but a 3 in 1. I would shy away, when it comes to machine tools its best not to skimp. Typically the cheaper the tool the worse it'll be. Though I have never had the mispleasure of using a 3 in 1 I have heard horror stories about set-up and rigidity.

If you are in the market for affordable tooling you might want to cheack out your local Harbor freight or Grizzlys site www.grizzly.com

I have one of their 9 X 19" lathes and their small mill. I also know a guy who has several of thier machines including a giant mill. Many of the mini mill/lathes are all manufactured by the same company and sold under differing names. the HF and griz stuff is this way.

-Jake

Jesterbuilt · 02-15-2007, 08:56 PM

Kidneythief has it right. Check out grizzly. THey have a great combo that has a center mill. I just don't like having the mill over the lathe chuck.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0516

Legion · 02-16-2007, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Hey stop knocking me. lol.

Would never knock and indvidual with your talent! I can only imaging the work you will turnout with new equipment.!

Check out cnczone.com for all kinds of cheap used equipment, both manuel and cnc

02-15-2007, 06:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
Deus Machina Post Whore Join Date: May 2006 Location: Brandon, Florida	Agreed. If you need a good 3in1, listen to Rainman. He knows his. And, frankly, 3in1's aren't bad machines, they're just a pain to switch back and forth, and not as user friendly as strict mills and lathes are. Me, I have Harbor Freight mini mills and lathes (well, Micromark; same base manufacturer--Sieg--but more careful fit and finish) and enjoy them, but they're about the size for 'gun bodies and anything smaller, and not strictly the most stable setup. I won't do any material harder than stainless, at the moment. But they've always done me well. And I do have to readjust the Y-axis gib on my mill. There's also no reason you have to buy new. If you can check out a used machine, you'll save money on the machine itself, and probably shipping if you haul it off. Even better, if it comes with tooling and such. Heck, you may save enough to get a phase converter, and use a nice 3-phase on your house current. Careful doing that, though. Some machines don't like it, and sometimes fuses don't either. __________________ Please note that due to cuts in the budget, the little light at the end of the tunnel has been disconnected. -Management My MCB Feedback My eBay Feedback Minor manual milling and custom parts available. Addle-minded rambling included free.

02-15-2007, 08:19 PM	#5 (permalink)
kidneythief Lord humungus the Mod Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Spokane, WA	I would suggest you save up a bit more money and go after either a larger, more reputable 3 in 1 or just buy separate machines. The one your looking at there is rather small and does'nt appear to be very rigid. Combine that with the fact that it is not only a mill/drill but a 3 in 1. I would shy away, when it comes to machine tools its best not to skimp. Typically the cheaper the tool the worse it'll be. Though I have never had the mispleasure of using a 3 in 1 I have heard horror stories about set-up and rigidity. If you are in the market for affordable tooling you might want to cheack out your local Harbor freight or Grizzlys site www.grizzly.com I have one of their 9 X 19" lathes and their small mill. I also know a guy who has several of thier machines including a giant mill. Many of the mini mill/lathes are all manufactured by the same company and sold under differing names. the HF and griz stuff is this way. -Jake __________________ "I wish simply to be a decent person, yet I will always fear the retards" -Brian Hindt(geech) MCB Moderator Kidney Machine

02-15-2007, 08:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jesterbuilt WGP whore Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Everett, WA.	Kidneythief has it right. Check out grizzly. THey have a great combo that has a center mill. I just don't like having the mill over the lathe chuck. http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0516 __________________ Boy, the next words out of your mouth better be some brilliant Mark Twain S**t. Cuz it's definately gettin chisled on your tombstone. Had it been a blind body and not blue I would of jumped on it like an eithiopian on a steak dinner. My Ex-Wife is ungrateful She Never Used the Wedding present I bought her......A COFFIN http://www.myspace.com/baconfiend http://www.mcarterbrown.com/forums/f...ht=jesterbuilt

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