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  • 3n1 machines

    I know that 3n1 combination mill/lathe/drill press will not be as good as normal dedicated machines, but I have been looking at several with the thought of producing some components for some of the more unloved cars and engines. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with any of the different makes of the machines.

  • #2
    Re: 3n1 machines

    I have quite a bit of time standing in front of a lathe, milling machine. etc. In my opinion, unless you're doing stuff that's really small with fairly loose tolerances, or have extremely limited space, you'd be better of getting dedicated machines. I was thinking along the same lines until I started looking at the working limits of the 3 in 1 machines. I ended up buying a 12 X 36 lathe and a fairly large "Mill-Drill press" and still at times wish I had more capacity.

    However, not having to rely on others for odd-ball parts or making store bought parts fit properly (grrr!) ....priceless!

    Machine tools are forever. Spend a little up front on usable machinery. You'll be glad you did. My Enco stuff has paid for itself in the 5 years I've had it. Not the absolute finest on the planet mind you. But very usable and they can do nice work.

    Good luck in your search

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    • #3
      Re: 3n1 machines

      3n1's are a neat-looking idea, and are great for getting money out of old guys who have always dreamed of having some machining capacity for their various inventions.

      The first part you actually want to make, you won't be able to because of some limitation of the machine. Gather up and old lathe for $500 and a mill for $1,000, and 'cause drilling's akward on a mill get a used drill-press for $200. Then you can get started making stuff.

      edit: You'll need more than that to be making car parts, btw. But it's a start.
      ...

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      • #4
        Re: 3n1 machines

        I don't have a mill, but I do have an old lathe and an old drill press (and some other stuff). I agree with the other guys, get the machines you need that will actually do the job.

        There isn't much you can reproduce for older cars even with normal full size machining equipment, look at car parts, they're mostly cast/molded/stamped, not machined.

        My fabulous web page

        "If it don't go, chrome it!" --Stroker McGurk

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        • #5
          Re: 3n1 machines

          For the parts I am thinking of making, I only need a mill, lathe and indexing head. A small band saw would help out, but isn't really needed. Actually, if I had a lathe that could accept a split collet, I could get away with just a lathe and a indexing head.

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          • #6
            Re: 3n1 machines

            Interesting stuff. I don't know anyhting aobut them, this thread has me wandering around looking at videos.

            all useful stuff.

            The one thing I'd make for a million autos is the spindle with splines, shafts... trannies going every which way...

            I have never found a vid showing the lathe as the cutter and the project sitting still...ya know for those splines.. how do they make those? a chisel? or rolling face cut something on a sitting project..a grinding wheel precise or something...
            do you know what I mean? What machine makes the splines on shafts?
            Previously boxer3main
            the death rate and fairy tales cannot kill the nature left behind.

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            • #7
              Re: 3n1 machines

              Splines can be made with a broach. Not much else is made with a broach as far as i know. If it was me i would get a cutter and mill them in with an indexing head. Don't forget these need to be hardend or they are useless.

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              • #8
                Re: 3n1 machines

                What part are you thinking of making?
                My fabulous web page

                "If it don't go, chrome it!" --Stroker McGurk

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                • #9
                  Re: 3n1 machines

                  For now, adjustable timing pulleys for early escorts and one or two other engines that people have asked me about after seeing the prints I made for the Escort pulley. Accuracy need to be good to about +- .001. Give me another three days and I am show you what I am talking about. The prototype for my car will be done soon. I have the old gear machined down, and the new piece is halfway done. If anyone is interested in the prints, I can send them to you, but they are in PDF format so it is hard to post them here. Keyways are also made with a broach, which comes to mind since that is another tool I need to make these.

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                  • #10
                    Re: 3n1 machines

                    my buddy kevin , acquired a lot of machines that were in eastern aircraft in the forties
                    eastern aircraft was gm north tarrytown assembly planyt , that converted for war production
                    just check out the auctions and classifieds , save your harbor freight money for quality oldies

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                    • #11
                      Re: 3n1 machines

                      Originally posted by 116ciHemi
                      For now, adjustable timing pulleys for early escorts and one or two other engines that people have asked me about after seeing the prints I made for the Escort pulley. Accuracy need to be good to about +- .001. Give me another three days and I am show you what I am talking about. The prototype for my car will be done soon. I have the old gear machined down, and the new piece is halfway done. If anyone is interested in the prints, I can send them to you, but they are in PDF format so it is hard to post them here. Keyways are also made with a broach, which comes to mind since that is another tool I need to make these.
                      If you can send me a DXF file, I can convert it to a JPG file for you so you can post it.

                      What software are you using for your drafting?


                      Ron
                      It's really no different than trying to glue them back on after she has her way.

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                      • #12
                        Re: 3n1 machines

                        the other trick for converting files like that so you can post a picture is to just get a nice sized zoom on it, and do an "alt print screen", then save the clipboard as a new image using a photo editing program (such as MS Paint), then crop and size appropriately, upload to a hosting service, and link to it with the image tags.

                        Since you're young, you understand what I just said

                        My fabulous web page

                        "If it don't go, chrome it!" --Stroker McGurk

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                        • #13
                          Re: 3n1 machines

                          Originally posted by squirrel
                          the other trick for converting files like that so you can post a picture is to just get a nice sized zoom on it, and do an "alt print screen", then save the clipboard as a new image using a photo editing program (such as MS Paint), then crop and size appropriately, upload to a hosting service, and link to it with the image tags.

                          Since you're young, you understand what I just said
                          Haha, my method of choice Jim.
                          Escaped on a technicality.

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                          • #14
                            Re: 3n1 machines

                            Well, based on a modified verison of the above procedure, I have these. Whenever I tried to export them from autocad, it went all twitchy and made some things backwards.





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                            • #15
                              Re: 3n1 machines

                              And then they start to look like these. There will be some discrepancies, such as the fact that I am making the inner out of mild steel, not aluminum.


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