Shopsmith Forums

Hello! I got this unit from my Dad who was forced to downsize his shop tools. it has just about every option he could find on it, I have a whole shelf unit full of boxes of stuff that I am not even sure what it all is for. I was able to get it down in the basement and have spent most of the last year keeping it wiped down with WD40 to keep out the rust. Hope to get power run to it and start playing. I believe it is a Mark V and there is a dust collector in the corner, Band saw, Planer, extension tubes, roller stand, and a bunch of chisels, plus a bunch more that I haven't identified yet.

Not too sure what to do with this, but I now have 3 band saws and 3 table saws... The house is a little over 125 years old so I may need to make some parts soon...


First question, where do you come up with wood for turning? I doubt Menards is going to have anything I can use or will they??

Welcome to the forum. May we have a first name? also, If you go back to your profile page, Log in your location and then "Log out". When you log back in, Your location will be visible.

This can help with folks who are close to your location...

Congratulations with your new toy!!!

All the best,
Mike

Welcome. One of the first things I was told when I asked about learning to turn was: "Get a 2 x 2 cut it to shorter lengths and make dowels. After you make dowels of consistent diameter, then start adding beads to the dowels until they are uniform, then do coves." I still have to start this procedure but I did pick up some sections of 2 x 2 from the cull bins at Menards the other day. I figure for $0.49 I can cut out the solid sections to attempt to make the dowels as recommended. It was not much for wood that would become chips, at least to start with.

didn't know I had to log out and then back in to activate , I didn't see where to put my first name, but it is Jim, kind of like my user name..

Good idea about the dowel pins. good practice!!

Jim, where are you located? That would help to make suggestions for good wood sources after you get some experience on practice wood. One excellent source for "better than pine" is tree trimmings in your neighborhood. Also search on Craigslist, the entire 'Free' section plus 'wood' in the 'Materials' section can yield inexpensive options. Lots of potential in firewood stacks. Do check for metal in rough wood before doing any machining, there are reasonably priced (~$25, maybe less) metal detectors for this purpose.

I will tell you in my experience, once other people know you want to turn , you get more wood then you know what to with...little pieces for sure. I've been given burl pieces from 13 years ago I still have.

Just tell people and keep your eyes peeled.

Hi Jim,

For some reason, Logging out after applying your location and then logging back in is the only way the system will activate your location...

Sounds like you're well on your way as far as equipment goes. As others have mentioned, All you have to do is start asking for wood. If you live in an area which has lots of old growth trees, Keep an eye out for tree trimmers. Ask them if you can have a little to work on your lathe. Often, You will end up with more than you can handle.

If you are comfortable operating chainsaws and don't already have a "Good" one, Entertain the thought. However, I would just start out with asking for some scrap wood from friends, neighbors and tree trimming companies or simply head to your local lumber yard and ask if you can have a few pieces of scrap wood which they will most certainly have laying around...

Mike

I have 2 chainsaws right now, lost a 3rd one to my sister (electric one) and when I get up north to the cabin, we have 10 acres of woods so there is always something that needs cutting up. it is 250 miles each way though..
What is the max size (diameter) I should stay under? what about drying time??