Smithy granite
Moderator: Harold_V
Smithy granite
Hello everyone, I have a small engine, motorcycle and ATV shop. I have been contemplating getting in to machining small parts and accessories . I have been looking at the smithy granite 1324. I am not a machinist, this is all new to me so i know very little about it. Does anyone have any input on this machine? Is it a good way to get started? I have seen many mixed reviews on them some people love them some hate them. I dont expect it to be a bridgeport in capability, and if that is what it would take for me to get started i wont be able to afford the cost or space two big machines would take. Thanks for your input.
Re: Smithy granite
Without considering the merits of one specific brand over another, the 3 in 1 format is suitable for a hobbyist on a budget and/or in limited space. I have used mine for making unobtainable (or even difficult-to-obtain) parts for motorcycles and outboard motors that I am restoring/repairing. Even more useful is the ability to make special tools (or suitable substitute) that were once available to the dealers. I wouldn't want to be without it and don't know how I survived the deprivation for so long.
But the benefits for a commercial enterprise have to be weighed against the cost of time. The mill in particular is light-duty compared to a Bridgeport -class machine, so it takes more passes to remove a given amount of metal. Swapping over from turning to milling or drilling is not as fast or convenient as simply removing the part from a chuck and clamping it in the vise of the adjacent machine. Were I am tinkering away and can take all the time in the world to make a custom part, it becomes hard to justify the cost to a customer; particularly compared to the cost of simply ordering the required part (assuming you are working on a sufficiently current model for which parts are available). Plus, the cost of parts can be blamed on the supplier, whereas "excessive" labour charges are obviously your fault.
The final consideration is your skill and experience level. The pros that hang around here (eg: Harold) will tell you that they spent years honing their craft and acquiring the skill to make parts consistently, accurately and efficiently. My own experience is that I can hit 2 of the 3 after a few years of practice. I can be consistent and accurate if I take my time; speed comes at the expense of accuracy and/or consistency. Now, some things don't require +/- 0.0005" accuracy (about my best capability). For some things, 1/16" is close enough. So, if you just need to make a spacer sleeve around a bolt, it won't take much skill. But boring a critical interference fit is probably a bit much to expect on your first attempt. With any machine.
But the benefits for a commercial enterprise have to be weighed against the cost of time. The mill in particular is light-duty compared to a Bridgeport -class machine, so it takes more passes to remove a given amount of metal. Swapping over from turning to milling or drilling is not as fast or convenient as simply removing the part from a chuck and clamping it in the vise of the adjacent machine. Were I am tinkering away and can take all the time in the world to make a custom part, it becomes hard to justify the cost to a customer; particularly compared to the cost of simply ordering the required part (assuming you are working on a sufficiently current model for which parts are available). Plus, the cost of parts can be blamed on the supplier, whereas "excessive" labour charges are obviously your fault.
The final consideration is your skill and experience level. The pros that hang around here (eg: Harold) will tell you that they spent years honing their craft and acquiring the skill to make parts consistently, accurately and efficiently. My own experience is that I can hit 2 of the 3 after a few years of practice. I can be consistent and accurate if I take my time; speed comes at the expense of accuracy and/or consistency. Now, some things don't require +/- 0.0005" accuracy (about my best capability). For some things, 1/16" is close enough. So, if you just need to make a spacer sleeve around a bolt, it won't take much skill. But boring a critical interference fit is probably a bit much to expect on your first attempt. With any machine.
- warmstrong1955
- Posts: 3568
- Joined: Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:05 pm
- Location: Northern Nevada
Re: Smithy granite
I bought a Smithy 1340 years ago for three reasons.
One is I didn't have the space.
Two is I didn't knowhow much I would be using it. I was working at the mines a lot more than I was at home then.
Three, is it appeared to be the heaviest machine out of all the 3 in 1's.
It also is the easiest 3 in 1 out there to go from lathe to mill. D1-4 lathe spindle makes it pretty quick.
I've machined a lot of parts with mine, both with the lathe and with the mill.
Bottom line, it's a lot better lathe, than it is a mill. Doesn't mean you can't machine with some precision when milling, just that it takes more some time, and some little tricks you need to learn & do to make it work. The lathe is not bad to deal with. Still a fw things you need to work around, like no brake, but all do-able.
When I did build an addition to my shop, the first thing I bought was a Jet JTM-4VS BP clone. I was doing a lot of parts that required milling, and although I could do them on the 1340, it was slow. 1340 has a manual quill feed too. Some of the setups were challenging due to the size of the parts as well.
All said, if I was short some space, I'd buy one again. No regrets.
I still use it as a lathe. It has some handy features, and works well for small parts. I haven't used the mill portion in years.
If you have any specific questions about it, ask. I bought mine about 12 years ago, so I learned a trick & tweak or two to make things happen.
Bill
One is I didn't have the space.
Two is I didn't knowhow much I would be using it. I was working at the mines a lot more than I was at home then.
Three, is it appeared to be the heaviest machine out of all the 3 in 1's.
It also is the easiest 3 in 1 out there to go from lathe to mill. D1-4 lathe spindle makes it pretty quick.
I've machined a lot of parts with mine, both with the lathe and with the mill.
Bottom line, it's a lot better lathe, than it is a mill. Doesn't mean you can't machine with some precision when milling, just that it takes more some time, and some little tricks you need to learn & do to make it work. The lathe is not bad to deal with. Still a fw things you need to work around, like no brake, but all do-able.
When I did build an addition to my shop, the first thing I bought was a Jet JTM-4VS BP clone. I was doing a lot of parts that required milling, and although I could do them on the 1340, it was slow. 1340 has a manual quill feed too. Some of the setups were challenging due to the size of the parts as well.
All said, if I was short some space, I'd buy one again. No regrets.
I still use it as a lathe. It has some handy features, and works well for small parts. I haven't used the mill portion in years.
If you have any specific questions about it, ask. I bought mine about 12 years ago, so I learned a trick & tweak or two to make things happen.
Bill
Today's solutions are tomorrow's problems.
Re: Smithy granite
If you are looking at a Smithy Granite, also look at the ShopMaster, though Smithy has better customer support.