I've been considering trying to teach myself some basic machining so that I can eventually learn to build rifles as a "retirement". I've got an opportunity to buy a Smithy 1220 3-in-1 lathe from my sister's father-in-law for a song. I know the opinion on these is usually that they're junk for quality gunsmithing work, but is this unit servicable to learn some basic threading and chambering work? According to him, the machine is a 1200 updated to a 1220 with several upgrades to make it more precise (he builds prototypes of medical equipment). Any opinions or recommendations are appreciated.

It is better than nothing, but in time you will wish you had a larger one. You can probably use it for a while and then sell it if you decide it to upgrade.

It is better than nothing, but in time you will wish you had a larger one. You can probably use it for a while and then sell it if you decide to upgrade.

If he gives it to you, not if you have to buy it.
Butch

I would buy it for a song, turn around and sell it for 2 songs then go out and buy a good one for 3 songs:]

I think you have to be careful of family dynamics! If you offer nothing and he wants something it may hurt some feelings. If he gives it to you for free and you get rid of it you may hurt his feelings, or the siter's feelings, or something like that.

What is a "song"?

I had a Smithy Granite 1324, nice machine but felt I needed a 40-48" bed for barrel work.

Unless the bed is at least 36" or better, it's going to be too small for most barrel work.. I've got a 1340 and at times I wish it was 50"..

It would be nice to have one of those little lathes to save swapping chucks and such on the big one, but aside from screws, pins and the like....they are just an expensive toy. You will really learn to appreciate mass after that little guy.

I started with an atlas 12x36 and a hardinge chucker. I learned the atlas was made to teach patience....anything over a .005 cut was too much. The hardinge was to show me how ridgidity is awesome, but specialized tooling is expensive. Now I am down to a single 14x40 and I love it.

Thanks for the input. It's all helpful. I'm limited on space for a few more years and thought this would be a good way to get my feet wet.

May be showing my ignorance, but help me understand this...if you're planning on chambering through the headstock, does the length of the bed matter as much?

It saves a lot of bed to chamber through the headstock about 30" is all you would have to have.....but if you are doing anything bigger than bb guns, you don't have enough spindle hole to put a barrel through it.

The spindle bore needs to be approx 1.350+ or-. Most barrel blanks have 1.200-1.250 big ends. This is if you are working through the headstock.
Butch

Indeed.. My JET has a 1.5" spindle bore and I sometimes wish it was 2"..

Mine has 2" and I love it. I doubt you want to be chucking up a $400 barrel in a $400 lathe even if you could weasel it in there. Get your hands on it, learn how to grind tools and make a lot of small things.....screws, pins, muzzle brakes perhaps. When you get feeling good, get a full sized rig.