FAQS

WHO BUYS THESE SMITHY LATHES?

Schools purchase quite a few. Military organizations, R & D labs, and small machine shop/production shops are frequent buyers. The machines are designed and built to be good enough to use in parts production settings - the reality is that, because the price is so reasonable, these lathes are popular for the home shop buyer.

IS THE TOOL PACK HELPFUL?

The FREE tool pack is intended to give you a basic tool set-up to get you started when you get the machine. It’s a balanced set of tooling, but you will likely need more tooling once you figure out specific projects you want to do.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “INSPECTED TWICE?”

Each lathe is inspected by trained company employees at the factory - PLUS, a second complete inspection is performed at our warehouse in Ann Arbor, MI before it is sent to the customer.

WHY ARE THESE LATHES BETTER THAN OTHERS ON THE MARKET?

For a machine tool to be truly great it must have attention paid to every step of its development - design, production, quality control, testing, and after sales support. Other benchtop lathes you'll find typically don't have this level of quality committed to every step like these MIDAS lathes.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SELLING THESE LATHES?

Over 30 years.

DO MANY LATHE BUYERS ALSO PURCHASE MILLING MACHINES?

Yes, the MI-1337L lathe matches well with the MI-329MZ milling machine - a machine shop combo that was built to last. Many customers buy this combination.

WHY SHOULD I BUY A SMITHY LATHE?

• Rugged Design
• Quality Built-In
• Inspected Twice
• Best Service, Warranty & Support

The best gear drive lathe value - for over 30 years!

DO I NEED TO BE A MACHINIST TO USE THE MACHINE?

Many buyers of these lathes don’t have machining/turning experience - what they have is the need to make parts. Usually they already have something in mind they need to make. What is needed is a commitment to learn and curiosity. It will take time, but you will figure it out. We have a set of machining training videos on our website - you can usually find classes at a local community college or vo-tech school. Get a machine and get going! You won’t be disappointed.