The Home Machinist!

Hope you Shoptask owners are still around. I took delivery about a month ago on my 2nd Patriot. First one was dropped by Roadway. It took about 10 weeks to get another. I get the impression Shopmaster is selling out their cargo containers fairly quickly. Things are progressing slowly because it has ...

Look at the new Patriot by Shopmaster. The new Patriot is an upgraded design from a new factory. The problems I have read about previous machines have apparently been resolved. They also have a buy-back trial policy where you can try it out for a year. You have to cover the freight back, and it may ...

I'm getting in late here. Is the taper concentric, or is the runout at one end different from the runout at the other?

While researching 3-1 machine, I discovered Shoptask and their 2 machines: The Tri-Power and The Patriot. I believe they are made in China. The Patriot is a converted ("blueprinted") Tri-Power. Shoptask takes a Tri-Power 3-in-1 and totally disassembles it. They powder coat the steel parts,...

MrPlace, In my area, lift gate service is $50 to my garage. Here is something I am considering. I have at least three items I am purchasing which will need lift gate service. And I bet there will come a time when I need to move my shop. I'm going to pay for this whether I buy it or not. http://www.h...

dbeaman wrote:Hello,
... It seems that the general consensus is that most of the 3-1 machines are POS? Is this really the case? ... Dan

What is POS?

I am pressed for space and don't think I can get a dedicated mill and lathe into my shop. I think a 3-in 1 may be my only option at the moment. I was leaning toward Smithy or ShopTask— Their Patriot is made in America. I looked for used, but can't seem to locate them right now. I am assuming that me...

This question will reveal my inexperience: Will the tooling I buy for a Harbor Freight unit work with a Smithy or the Smithy tooling with an Emco? Or maybe I should as it this way: Are there any machines that use "standarized tooling" so that if I wanted/had to upgrade or switch machines I...

I am essentially new to machining. I "played" on a friend's lathe 35 years ago. Cut Threads and turned a few cylinders. I am ready to add metal working capability to my woodworking shop. I want stand-alone machinery, but don't have the room at the moment. (10x18 shop) I'm a mechanical engi...

Thanks for all the input. I am making some adjustments in my thinking (PC for changing my mind and not making a firm decision). I want stand alone equipment, but space is so limited even a 3-in-1 will hog up a chunk of my small workshop. ALL my woodworking equipment is on casters so I can move it to...

I'm having difficulty defining my parameters because I am unsure of future project requirements. I'm a mechanical engineer who would like to manufacture prototypes of some ideas I have. I'd like to be capable of machining aluminum, brass, plastic, and steel (Carbon and Stainless). As far as equipmen...

I am interested in a small lathe and mill. Originally I thought about a small 3 in 1 unit, but I am certain that would sacrifice capability in either the mill, lathe, or possibly both. I wonder about which brand to consider. I have heard about Smithy. I have also seen several Asian knockoffs. I am a...