Smithy 1220 LTD improvements

Improvements on my Smithy 1220 LTD

[@christurnblom4825]

Thank you. I'm rebuilding a 1220 xl that my friend found in a junk pile. Fortunately, there was no pitting yet but we live in the desert so the amount of sand I had to excavate (lol) ...evacuate required a 100% tear down with the exception of the gearbox. As far I can tell anyway, I opened all the holes & sampled the inside and couldn't find evidence of sand so I'm going to save myself the trouble and just rinse the box out because it's barely worth my time doing what I have done and am going to do. Man, it's no joke trying to remove sand from something like this. When my friend brought it over I took one look at it and all my hopes died on the spot. "The guy I bought it from said the two axis move" he said. "AHH! he traversed the axis?!!" I replied. The thing was solid orange on every metal-exposed part. Good thing I enjoy tedious work. It's nice to hear, from someone with experience, that one can make this into a usable machine. The one I've got has no tail stock, no compound rest and no chuck. Luckily, I have an Atlas lathe with a bent spindle shaft so I'm in the proccess of taking those parts from it. Maybe make the atlas into a CNC project someday. Again, thanx for the vid.

[@MrSchoessow]

Being that I just ordered this machine I viewed your video with much interest. Knowing that this unit would have some issues I thank you for showing how you have improved on them. I'm a beginner at this machining stuff and need all the help I can get. For the very reasons you mentioned, the lack of space and yenom is why I purchased this machine. I'm looking forward to more of your videos, please keep them coming! Tell your son there are allot of us out there that for one reason or the other can't have the bigger lathers and mills and people like you that take the time to post their experiences on these machines are most appreciated. Thanks again. Dennis

[@johnjohnson8954]

I watched your videos about a 2 months ago on the 1220 LTD as I was in the market for a 3n1, after viewing them I made the decision to pull the trigger on one. I have since ordered the DRO's and am currently waiting for them to get delivered. Today is the day to pull apart the table and remove the backlash. Just wanted to say thanks for making the vids, they have helped me out tremendously.

[@furbarator]

Brilliant carriage stop. I've always wondered why Smithy never came up with anything that was logical and yet extremely functional. Thanks for sharing.

[@mywalkingfriend]

Liked all the mods and improvements you made.The machine looks awesome.Had my 1220 ltd since 2002 and feel it was the best tool i ever bought.Had the same issues you encountered ( great lathe function but milling has its downs ). Most of my projects and parts were lathe made with a few mills here and there and the Smithy has gone over decade without fail.I am a self taught machinist so i still have much to learn but look forward to any of your future posting( i.e. cutting threads with this model ) I am sure you will be very satisfied with this machine as i have.

[@andrewrees6618]

Nice! Very detailed explanation. I liked this video. Also, nice shop set up.

[@gmaestro79]

just purchased a 1220 LTD to get my feet wet in machining. Thanks for the informative video. Lots to work on, but I'm just doing hobby type work .

[@luispachon3143]

I have sister to milling ,smiling

[@EddieTheGrouch]

I have a CB1220 and boy do I feel your pain. I am surprised they used the same sized mill head base considering the way my head swivels under load and it's much smaller.

[@foothillstrailhiker2426]

Excellent video! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@davidstern8382]

Mike, Love to have some more detail of the x axis carriage stop.

[@sailorcto]

I am trying to figure out your collet system for my Smithy MIDAS 1220 LTD too. Parlec? Any chance you could shine some light on which one you are using, where to buy, and any mods, etc. Big thanks for the video. Very well done (despite your son's laughter, heh?).

[@rogero9633]

I see that 2014 is when you posted your video. I assume that is about when you purchased and started to use it new. Was the DRO built in to the machine when you purchased it or did you add it in later (was it an add on)? I want something like this, but access to Stores in my area is a problem. I would like to ask (hope you don't mind) if you would allow me to know the price of your machine in 2014? Have they changed much do you think? I want accuracy and precession and I'm not sure if you're painting a picture for me to look elsewhere? One last point - I see this machine has the overhead mill coming over the chuck. There are some other machines that have the mill in the middle of the carriage - meaning it is movable sideways or not but if fixed, it is farther away from from the chuck for more room to mill. There may be issues with that design too. Well overall, what is your opinion now? I'm going to search for other videos you may have posted to see if there are updates. Thanks.

[@Mac-mu9cs]

Do you have a source for the change gears other than Smithy or someone 3D printing them?

[@Inferniooo]

I'm converting mine to steppers on the lead screws (replacing the Y with a ball screw) as the sacrificial gear hub is all but discontinued. The alternative was to rebuild the entire gearing assembly to accommodate Grizzly gears. They're fairly universal.

[@GnosisMan50]

Maybe somebody can answer my question. Why is it that since 1987, the Smithy company still makes their machines the same way they did since then? Imagine if cars were made today as they did in 1987. You would think that, in the advent of CNC technology with 5 axis machines, high performance cutting tools, and faster production, Smithy's machines would reflect that. It's not just the Smithy machines that fall short in design and execution, the Chinese made machines fare no better. We have over a century of machine design technology, yet present made machines show no improvements as you would say, a car, or a computer. On Smithy's web site it says "We are committed to continual improvement in designing" Are you fucking kidding me? What's up with the 0.030" backlash on the crosslide, the quill, and the bolt anchoring the head that had no flats so you can tighten it? So much for "continual improvement". You will never find such lousy defects on a new 1960's Clausing or South Bend lathe. So why in the world are we dealing with new Smithy's and those Chinese made machines with substandard craftsmanship? By today's technology and design, you would think that you would have no need to make any improvements. What Mike is actually doing is actually repairing the machine because Smithy most likely does not have a quality inspection department. It's disgraceful how machines are being made these days.

[@azinfidel6461]

Smithy does not manufacture these. They are all made in China. Smithy may require some level of QC. Search on Alibaba and you will find them.

[@MikeRowland]

Where did you buy the collet system?

[@Inferniooo]

FWIW, I bought a collet system from China. They're easily obtainable. I had to make a new tension rod but that was easy with some allthread. One of the best upgrades I've made. The DRO was the absolute best.

[@ufohunter1805]

You can take a less quality machine like a Smithy, in the proper hands it becomes a great machine, operator skill is mandatory, you can use a Southbend , Clausing , or more spendy lathes, and still get a poor result ! skill is the secret. I have this 12/20 ltd Smithy also, I have had many Southbends and other lathes, you get what you pay for ! The Smithy's are for a poor man's budget, educate yourself and any lathe will do well for you.