RE: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Smithy Granite

I have been wondering about the same thing-- unfourtanly even though i am in
driving distance of Smithy, they do not have CNC (acording to the sales man
I talked to) set up at the shop, and they simply drop ship the CNC kits.
They were un able (or possibley unwilling) to give any names and pahones fo
anyone in lower Michigan that had the set up. I also talked to the fokes at
Flash cut (who does the CNC package for them) He could not give me any
references. He also said the the "Y" was fine-- around .005" backlash but
that the "X" had much greater backlash (on the order of .020" !!!!) Smithy
of course says that almost all the back lash can be adjusted out.

I know these machines have a very good rep as manuel machines. And I have
been told by a number that they have very good cuatomer service.

Currently I am leaning back toward the Shoptask. Mostly because they have a
ball screw option and their are a number of fokes that have CNC "kits" for
them. Of course they aren't an hour drive from my house- and I hate to have
to order and pay for something then wait for a slow boat from China.

I also happen to like the R8 spindle and the fact that Smithy had a 5c
collet chuck. We can get around these littel differences.

At any rate-- what every you decide, please keep me in the lupe has I would
like to hear how you come out

Craig


-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Clough [mailto:cclough@...]
Sent: Saturday, December 15, 2001 3:02 PM
To: CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Smithy Granite


Ok - my dad told me to look into these machines; he used to be a
machinist and had heard of them a while ago (this was 10 years ago or
so). Anyhow - has anyone retrofitted one of their 'CNC compatible' units
with steppers and drivers?
I am thinking of getting one with their payment plan, and retrofit it
with my hardware. But, I have one question, and it's based purely on
ignorance; I need to cut 3/8" to 1/2" flanges; will a CNC mill do it
with the right bit? I feel like a dumb ass because I don't know the
answer, but that's the only reason I built the plasma CNC. While the
system, as most of you have seen thus far, looks pretty good - the
little things are starting to get to me; its accuracy just isn't where I
want it - that's the nature of the beast with a plasma cutter though.
If someone says I can use the Smithy as a milling unit to mill out
steel, I'll order one on Monday. I've got a product, that I've been held
u on because my CNC isn't working - and I've had to delay it 3 weeks
almost because I can't get the flanges cut.
Anyone?
Thanks,
-Chris Clough



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