Shopsmith Forums

One can use the quill feed to raise the headstock. Just stack some scrap wood on the table and advance the quill until the spindle contacts the stack. Then release the headstock lock (keeping the qill in contact with the stack) and advance the quill some more to raise the headstock. Repeat if necessary.
Bill V

beeg wrote:Why knot LOWER the table or use a bottle jack to raise the headstock?:D

Because when I convert to drill press, my habit is to already have the table all the way down the way tubes, so there is no more lowering I can do once I've gone vertical.

As for using a jack, it's just faster for me to grunt and push up I don't see myself really changing heights a lot in drill press mode, and if I start, I'll just have to make it habit not to slide the table all the way to the end of the tubes -- that way I will have some table height play.

wa2crk wrote:One can use the quill feed to raise the headstock. Just stack some scrap wood on the table and advance the quill until the spindle contacts the stack. Then release the headstock lock (keeping the qill in contact with the stack) and advance the quill some more to raise the headstock. Repeat if necessary.
Bill V

Is it "healthy" for the quill to be under all that weight/pressure, though?

jerm wrote:Is it "healthy" for the quill to be under all that weight/pressure, though?

It stresses it for sure, but that is short duration.

I would make very sure the lever(s) are securely tightened. I would also likely assist by pushing up as well.




Muscle co-ordination a must have:D! Gotta get the clamps secured before 'letting go':eek:.

Can I ask what a "Shorty" is?

Dusty, one of the advantages to having 4 (yes, I need professional help) ERs, is that I can completely dedicate one to be a vertical drill-press. (Or will, if I ever get my "stuff" together.)

However, a LOT of stuff CAN be done in horizontal mode, without lifting 50 pounds of cast iron up.

I figure if I still cook with cast iron, and run a cast iron Shopsmith, (or 4) I won't act old(ish.)

On the good news, the full-length ER extension lathe bed works. Over 6 feet between centers.

steve

harveydunn wrote:Can I ask what a "Shorty" is?

It is a Shopsmith re-configured on a short base, (cut the bench tubes) or cut all 4 tubes. On a Mk version, usually all 4 tubes are cut, on a dedicated drill-press, only the bench tubes (or the bench boards on an ER) are cut.

Shorties can be in a few configurations. Some just have a headstock to power SPTs on both ends. Some are longer, to incorporate the carriage and table.

I would NOT recommend starting out with a shorty. It is an additional tool, to the real Shopsmith.

steve

jerm wrote:Is it "healthy" for the quill to be under all that weight/pressure, though?

It is easy on the ER. I'm hoping the Mk series will handle the stresses involved. Really, it's not that much stress.

The ER stopped production during Harry Truman's administration. BUT, Shopsmith is STILL using them as production tools, mostly as drill-presses.

steve

harveydunn wrote:Thanks.

Also: can a SS be disassembled and loaded into a car? Or will I need a pickup truck to haul it home?

The answer is 'yes'- I have a medium size station wagon (a Saturn LW-300) and I have stuffed several Shopsmith Mark V's in there over the last couple of years. That included, in one case, a Shopsmith jointer. And in the other case, a Shopsmith bandsaw and the belt sander. In all cases, I pulled the legs off - takes two people but an easy task. Then put the top part (the end pieces, tubes, power head and carriage - all as one assembly in), then the tables, legs and the rest of the stuff. No problem either time.