can someone tell me if the Smithy lathe/mill/drill combo would be something that could be used in knife making? I am just new to this and open for any comments,,,,,,,,,,thanks,,,,,,,,,i just purchased one of these and think it may be of some use

Your lathe could become your most useful tool for knifemaking.because you can make most of the other equipment you will want or need with it. eg. turn a disc for a disk grinder, make wheels for a belt grinder.Just use your imageanation.

Allan is correct. I have an Enco three in one machine because I couldn't afford the Smithy, but I wish I would have saved my nickels and dimes and bought a Smithy. The Enco lacks instructions on how to use the machine. The Smithy comes with video. Although I use my machine daily to mill liners for pocket knives, turn standoffs and pivot pins for my liner lock knives. I have built an enormous amount of jigs to make knife making easer. Good luck.

J Workman

I agree they can be used, and I too got a chinese machine. It's a mediocre lathe, a mediocre mill. Close enough for the machining I'm doing right now. Plus to them is the space needed. Both in one footprint, but for the same or a touch more $$, you can have a lathe AND a little mill that can do their seperate jobs with a greater degree of accuracy. If I had to do it all over again, and if space were not an issue, that's the route I'd be going. Just my 2 cents worth.

Thanks guys,,,, i appreciate your comments,,,,i really hope that it will be a nice asset {the smithy} i got it used for $500 with some tooling,,,,,and i have already bought more.. i have always loved knives, and want to try my hand at making some. i plan on starting with some basic kits,,to get used to how things work and fit together. hopefully one day i will be able to post a pic of a fine handmade knife of my own,, thanks again,,, and by the way this is the best place i have found so far with knowledgeable people that arnt afraid to share with the new guys,, likeme , that know little about making a knife,,, but we all share the same feelings about the beauty and awe of a nice looking, feeling, and operating knife. iwill behere often,,,,,, Mike in Oklahoma