Well, I've started cutting. After the better part of two days setup and repairing the Smithy, and more setup, and repairing the Smithy again, etc. I have almost gotten the
two blocks fly cut.
I'm also just about ready to see if anyone has gotten the DNS registrations on 'Smithys_suck.com' or equivalent...
I've had to fix the drive nut on the crossfeed table twice so far, it keeps coming out of the socket in the table.
I've discovered that in addition to non standard mill head collets, it has a non-standard mount for the lathe chuck.
It seems that the same amount of movement registered on the mill depth indicator dial does NOT translate to the same amount of change in the mill head itself. (Note that much interpolation is required, the finest gradient on the depth dial is .040", I was wanting about a 10th of that...)
The lock on the main feed table hits the underside of the crossfeed table before it completely locks the main table. To lock the main table down tight, it is necessary to take the lock handle out, substitute a smaller screw, and tap the lock tight with a hammer.
Some of the assorted screws that hold the cranks on like to fall out from vibration.
If one attempts even a TINY cut with the flycutter, the millhead vibrates up and down visibly every time the cutter goes around. (I've got the flycutter set to about 64mm, traversing the block which is about 60mm wide. The cutter is turning @ 1380 RPM, and I'm using a very low feed speed on the table drive. Not sure just what the IPM rate is, but it takes about 10 minutes to go from clear of the 80mm block on one end to clear of the block on the other)
The first block ended up mostly smooth and flat, on each side, except for some gouges. For some reason the cutter seems to leave 99% of the block smooth. But it cuts a couple of arcs on each pass, I think where the outside swing of the bit goes on or off the block. I decided that the scratches didn't appear to be in the die area, so I think I can live with them.
Of course one side was about .745" thick and the other was about .710"... Who said the two sides needed to be parallel?
This was probably not the Smithy's fault however. I'm using a cheap asian mfg. (from Harbor Freight Tools) drillpress vise to hold the blocks. Since I need to be able to get the entire face, I can't use hold down clamps. I think the vise jaw is lifting up when I clamp down on the vise. The second block was showing .748" vs. 718" when I did the first side, so I put the fat edge on the side I think lifts up. Hopefully when I get the second side done it will have taken more off that side so I'll end up with sort of uniform thickness, even if it isn't at right angles to the sides.
On the bright side, I should be much cleaner now. <NOT!> I've done the best I can with making shields, but I still get this nice shower of soluble oil coolant. (BTW, I've been told that the coolant gets old and stinks after a while, what is the best way to get rid of it when it does?)
I'm really getting to hate this Smithy peice of $#!^, what's worse, the used machine place I've just started getting some stuff at says they could have sold me a used BRIDGEPORT for what I paid...
Gooserider