Useless Smithy 1220

[ptulmer]

Ok, you ain't gonna believe this.

A little while back I bought a Smithy 1220 for about a grand. After adding all the accessories and the workbench the total came to over $3200. (shipped) So after spending all that money, assembling the bench, etc. I've got a useless piece of equipment. I know what you're thinking, but it's not the milling capacity that has me frustrated. Matter-of-fact, it's got far more milling capacity than it does turning. Here's the thing, between the centerline of the lathe and the toolpost, there is less than two inches clearance. So when I put my cutoff toolholder in there's only enough room to cut something less than one inch!
After looking through the manual I found a quote saying the 1220 and the 1220XL are identical except for the cross slide and apron. (saddle?) So I called Smithy (they don't respond to email, period). The guy on the phone seemed friendly enough. He walked out to the showroom and checked his. "Yep", he says, "that's about right". So I asked if I could buy the XL cross slide and apron. "Nope", he says, "Each one is hand fitted to the machine." I was stunned. So stunned that I just mumbled something like "thanks" and hung up. I don't want to force someone to take my money and I hate dealing with stupid people. Hand fitted my big ole' butt. Mine has gibs at the front of the saddle. (Apron?)

So, enough of the sad story. Anybody know of an aftermarket solution or somewhere I can get a new saddle made? All I need is about three or four more inches. I'm considering making a riser but have concerns about getting the dovetailing accurate. My skills are decent, but nowhere near expert.

[ptulmer]

I did hear back from Smithy this time. My email even made it up the food chain! Not only did I get a response, I got an explanation! I don't completely understand what they mean by hand-fitted to each machine, it seems to me that something ought to be precision made... like the ways. So one saddle ought to fit another machine because the ways are all alike. They did offer to sell me the parts to assemble and install an XL cross slide. It's a bit large of a price tag, but it's not the difference between the machines. Plus it's a piecemeal offering. Not assembled or anything, so I'll be putting it together myself. I'll update this thread as it seems appropriate.

ps. I'm still open to other suggestions!

[Tim Wiltse]

Dang it Patrick!!!! I warned you didn't I!!!! I am suprised to hear that the lathe is the problem child for you and not the milling side. I know it's a nice idea to have an all-in-one package but something has to give as a result. I mean what is someone going to do with 1" of travel? Any chance of selling the machine and getting a seperate lathe and mill?

LAter,
Tim

[ptulmer]

<--- That's you on the right, Tim. Or is this you on the right...


Yes, you did warn me and now I gotta kick out another five c-notes. I'm completely perplexed by this machine. I swore up and down my shop that I was doing something wrong. Why would they make a 12" lathe with the toolpost so close that it made it unusable. Other than that the fit and finish of the 1220 is fantastic. Changeover to milling will be quicker when I get studs installed in the backplate to make removing the chuck easier.
A CNC mill may be next, anyway. I can't seem to get over this hobby (disease?). The Smithy would be a good backup manual mill.

[Tim Wiltse]

WHAT...another 500 clams!!!! I tell you what if i have the extra money I would get my hands on a Lathemaster 8x14. I love my X2 mill since I CNC'ed it. I just wish I had done what others told me and bought a larger lathe from the start

LAter,
Tim

[ptulmer]

An 8x14 will no longer satisfy my lust...

Plus I've got piles of stuff from Smithy to use on it. I'll have to admit that price includes a threading dial, too. So the price for the necessary parts including shipping is a little bit lower. All-in-all, it seems I'm stuck with the Smithy for a little while.

[ptulmer]

duplicate

[gmfoster]

I am confused or you are. The 1220 uses the milling table for the cross slide. I think you are trying to only use the compound for cross travel.


I just checked and there is 8 inches of travel in the cross slide.

Garry

[ptulmer]

Garry,

First, not using the compound like that... Second, do you have an XL? I don't. If you have the standard 1220 like me, measure the distance from the front edge of the toolpost to the centerline of the lathe chuck. It's about two inches or so. Confirmed by a Smithy salesperson as being normal. The XL has a long slender cross slide with two T-slots running lengthwise (like a mill), but the standard has a much smaller version that's almost square and also has T-slots running across the slide. I haven't checked the overall travel as I don't want to work from the back of the workpiece so it hasn't come up yet.

If you do have the standard 1220 and I'm still not making sense, any pictures or advice would be more than welcome! I'll can't order the new cross slide until Tues, anyway.

[ptulmer]

Here's a look at my problem. Notice the cross slide is fully extended and also the position of the cutoff tool.

[Switcher]

From the photo, it looks like you have more travel?

.

[ptulmer]

Take a look at this. The saddle doesn't move, neither does the handle. The exposed threads you see indicate travel to the right, not left. Where I marked "stop" is literally a static position that the cross slide will bump up against.