Shopsmith Forums

Has anyone made a "power station" for just sanding? I want to put my strip sander and belt sander and disc sander. I have another 510 anyway along with stationary TS, jointer etc. The 510 serves as drilling and a base for my band saw. So, my question is what length would I need to cut my tubes to accommodate the headstock, a 500 carriage and table. I don't need to use it as a DP, TS etc. Any thoughts?

I know some may say why do it to save a tad bit of space...real estate is at a premium so....

Thanks

Unless you have a reversible motor you may find that some operations are restricted to a particular side of the headstock. Things like disk sanding are often done using the quill feed so while direction is not important to that task some operation are. Maybe you have already thought this through in which case do as you see fit.

I have a shorty in progress but I wanted more out of it so I'll let the tube length issue be covered by others. For some general information here is where I ask for some information on the subject:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/gener ... 18764.html

Ed

The following is my 'opinion'.

With your stated intention to only sand with a strip sander(normally left mount only), belt sanding(dual shaft so mountable on either side) and disc sanding(mountable on either side of headstock). However the disc sander needs a table surface). Therein lies a problem. Where is that surface coming from? If the strip sander is 'off' the left mount, an aux table will serve nicely. Ditto the right mount and the belt sander. If needing the 'main' table, it can be used on either side of the headstock(both if two carriages are included).

That requires sufficient length for the headstock and the carriage(s) and the main table width.

To me the 'ideal'(subject to individual definition) is to cut two BENCH tubes to 26" and 26 3/4" only. that saves the way tubes and provides two tubes 26"(for the mini way tubes) and two 26 3/4" tubes for the mini bench tubes.

Realize this will only work for later mark 5 models that have 1 3/4" od bench tubes.

A trial setup with all you intend to simultaneously mount will reveal the amount of 'shortening' that will work for you. You will likely need to allow for headstock shifting to install/remove coulpers.

That creates a very short mini that may not meet your disk sanding needs with a 'main' table'.(it is all very tight with a strip sander AND a belt sander).

Only you can determine what your future needs are and decide upon your ideal lengths. Keep in mind the bench tubes need to be 3/4" longer than the way tubes.

Lastly the strip sander if intended to be used with the lathe sharpening jig will have to mount on the right side and be operated from the back side.

JPG has some interesting points but maybe some of them are not to relevant to the over all scheme of things (sorry James). I built a shorty. When I built it the intention was not a sanding station but that is what it has turned out to be. If you intend to keep the main table carriage on then only cut off 18". That is my opinion. It gives you just enough room to couple your SPT's on the left end. If you want a shorty without the main table/carriage then shorter is possible.

Thanks for all three responses. Jsburger, you have a very clean workshop. Your machine is kinda what I am looking to do...except I'll have a 500. I'd I do this, I'll have all SPT'S on a place and ready except for the scroll saw which has a broken part that isn't available anymore and I need to come up with a repair.


Thank you all.

ibskot wrote:Thanks for all three responses. Jsburger, you have a very clean workshop. Your machine is kinda what I am looking to do...except I'll have a 500. I'd I do this, I'll have all SPT'S on a place and ready except for the scroll saw which has a broken part that isn't available anymore and I need to come up with a repair.


Thank you all.

There is no problem doing the same thing with a 500.

No need to be 'sorry'.

However realize the 500 table is narrower than the 505-20 version and the tubes can be shorter.

I agree a length longer than that I suggested(26 ± 3/8") is more versatile. Anything longer than that requires cutting all four tubes.