Shopsmith Forums

Due to almost putting my back out due to bending at the waist, I have a few questions...

Has anyone raised thier SS to a height where lathe-work is done with less bending? How did you do it?

Does anyone use confort mats in the shop?

One of the drawbacks to the shopsmith lathe is that it is too low. Some of the members have made blocks to raise the SS. The height should be at elbow height. That said I would not put the SS on blocks with a out of round piece of wood, better to round it with the legs on the floor. After rounding them it ok to put on the blocks.

James

I lift my 28K lb motorhome up on blocks under the jacks, why not lift the SS to a comfortable height. If it were me, I'd use a 2x6 or 4x6, depending on the lift required, notch out a groove for the casters (or feet) and use one piece for each side.
Working in a wheelchair now, I'd love to lower mine 12 inches. But I will be walking again in a month or less, so I'll just stick with the scroll saw for now.
Just a thought for SS (just entered my mind...real) how about optional support structures for your SS. Order new sides up 4 or 6 inches. Or ADA compatible sides at wheelchair or sitting height.
Although this might seem like an unnecessary upgrade, for some people work-comp or medicare or disability insurance might assist with the investment.

1) The end caps are secured by 5 screws each.

2) The bottom surface of those end caps are essentially flat.

3) A lower platform can be easily made from structural lumber.

4) End to end bracing would be desirable.(top & bottom).

5) A projection for setting the end caps can be used at each end.

6) The end caps can be secured to the 'projections' using the same 5 holes as before.

7) You could make it whatever height you need.

kalynzoo wrote:I lift my 28K lb motorhome up on blocks under the jacks, why not lift the SS to a comfortable height. If it were me, I'd use a 2x6 or 4x6, depending on the lift required, notch out a groove for the casters (or feet) and use one piece for each side.
Working in a wheelchair now, I'd love to lower mine 12 inches. But I will be walking again in a month or less, so I'll just stick with the scroll saw for now.
Just a thought for SS (just entered my mind...real) how about optional support structures for your SS. Order new sides up 4 or 6 inches. Or ADA compatible sides at wheelchair or sitting height.
Although this might seem like an unnecessary upgrade, for some people work-comp or medicare or disability insurance might assist with the investment.

This would be an ideal solution for you tall guys. I would think it an even better solution if there was an option to order legs about 3"-4" lower. Then whenever I want to use the lathe (seldom), I'll put mine on stilts to get it back where it is now.

tsaguy wrote:Due to almost putting my back out due to bending at the waist, I have a few questions...

Has anyone raised thier SS to a height where lathe-work is done with less bending? How did you do it?

Does anyone use confort mats in the shop?

Here's another option you might consider. I can't stand for long periods of time myself, and am in a similar situation. Rather than raising the unit, I've got a shop-stool that I'll set on while I"m turning. It's an adjustable height stool, and I can adjust it so I'm at a comfortable height when turning, and I can spend more time at the machine than I could if I had to stand... The advantage is, it doesn't require modification to the ShopSmith and it doesn't make the unit too tall for Tablesaw functions, etc...

tom_k/mo wrote:Here's another option you might consider. I can't stand for long periods of time myself, and am in a similar situation. Rather than raising the unit, I've got a shop-stool that I'll set on while I"m turning. It's an adjustable height stool, and I can adjust it so I'm at a comfortable height when turning, and I can spend more time at the machine than I could if I had to stand... The advantage is, it doesn't require modification to the ShopSmith and it doesn't make the unit too tall for Tablesaw functions, etc...

I've also been using a wood adjustable stool for the last 6 months when I turn, and it's been a great help.

nuhobby wrote:I've also been using a wood adjustable stool for the last 6 months when I turn, and it's been a great help.

I have five different stools in my shop four of which are different heights. I find different tools and tasks require different heights. For me their are each a blessing. Jim

Here's my solution, the wheels on my shopsmith were pretty well worn out, the shopsmith probably has more miles on it than the family car. So I bought a set of castors, 1/2 in threaded shaft at the top , and then ground them down a bit, easy to do with a bench grinder, so they fit tightly in the stock castor holders. The wheels are all swivel and lockable, so it makes moving the shopsmith much easier now. My shop is small, but I have a large deck in front, with doors that open to 8 ft wide and now the shopsmith is at a more comfortable height. Yes, I did have to trim the legs of the ss to allow the wheels to swivel completely.

rcf wrote:Here's my solution, the wheels on my shopsmith were pretty well worn out, the shopsmith probably has more miles on it than the family car. So I bought a set of castors, 1/2 in threaded shaft at the top , and then ground them down a bit, easy to do with a bench grinder, so they fit tightly in the stock castor holders. The wheels are all swivel and lockable, so it makes moving the shopsmith much easier now. My shop is small, but I have a large deck in front, with doors that open to 8 ft wide and now the shopsmith is at a more comfortable height. Yes, I did have to trim the legs of the ss to allow the wheels to swivel completely.

Is it accurate to assume you no longer 'lower' the ss onto the floor and depend upon the new casters lock to prevent lateral movement?