For Fun, new things we need from shopsmith

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun May 06, 2012 9:28 pm

In the distance past one of the I believe electronic magazines I use to get had a once a year(?) contest for inventions we really don't need. Things like a flat tire indicator, OK maybe some of you need that?? A rain detection hat, warning you that you are getting wet....

So here is a submission to start with.

Shopsmith owners that are aging and perhaps loosing a bit of dexterity and dare I say some vision antiquity might be interested in an addition to the old toggle power switch. Some pain in the wrist or fingers may making the toggle switch difficult to turn off or worse to turn off.

Well I have a solution for you that you are going to love. The Shopsmith paddle switch upgrade. You simply slip it over the existing toggle switch and you are going to be amazed at how easy it is to turn the machine on and off. Most people will find it three times easier. It also comes with a handy reminder of which way to flip the switch so you don't have to keep checking the manual to find out, a big time saver for sure.

The nice part is you pay only $118 for a package of 25. This way it will be years before you loose them all and have to order more. Leave one on the machine, have one in your shirt pocket, another in your pants. Also ideal for those that own multiple shopsmiths.

Now for the unveiling of the new product.

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So what you got?

Ed

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun May 06, 2012 10:55 pm

Here is something I'm prototyping right now.

You know how you walk up to the shopsmith and can't remember if you left the casters up or down or between? I move mine a lot so I'm always stepping on the lever to check where I'm at. Some times it sitting on the floor like it should be, but I'm not sure so I set on the peddle, oh no, now it is up on step one.... or I go up to the shopsmith and thinking it all set to roll I tug on it.... oh now I just strained my back trying to pull it a long the floor with no casters.

So anyway you look at it is a game of chance. And it is also possible that one side is up while the other is down, so you go through the same thing on the other end....

So here is what I'm working on, a lever that indicates the caster position. So let's look at what it looks like.

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As you can see it has a locked position so it is not in the way when you are moving the machine. It simply attaches to the leg and provides a plastic protective tip to keep the rust away. The following pictures show the arm activated, 1/2" height, 1/4" height, sitting on the floor and of course the locked position.

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The only problem I'm having is calibration for different machines and different caster sets... the shown calibration is the best so far.

The indicator will sell for $88 and will come with a half dozen blank templates so you can customize it to your shopsmith. And make sure you order two so you have both sides of the machine covered.

You will never need to guess the caster position anymore.

Ed

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Sun May 06, 2012 11:15 pm

Keep 'em coming, Ed!

For your next one, take the lever from invention # 2 and the paddle switch from invention #1, and combine them, so I can easily turn on/off the Shopsmith when I'm standing in front of the bandsaw holding onto a large piece of wood....

Gary

reible · Post by **reible** » Mon May 07, 2012 12:12 am

OK last one for now.

You know how you keep seeing those signs that say don't drink and shopsmith all along the bulletin boards and in magazines adds? Of course not, we have not started those ads yet.

So we have the sawstop group trying to make working at the saw safer, well I think more people are hurt on the various tools in the shop from being imparted from drinking. So what do you say about a system that prevents you from using the:

table saw

drill press

lathe

horizontal drill press

sander

router

shaper

and MORE

belt sander

strip sander

jig saw

scroll saw

bandsaw

thickness planner

and yes even the jointer

Introducing for PowerPro owners the last remote you will ever need!

We can make up the statics later, but to get started lets say 2 million accidents per year by buying a shopsmith with Pro remote.

Yes the PRO remote!

Coming in the near future for $729 including batteries.

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Call 911 available in areas covered by 911.

Ed

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Mon May 07, 2012 12:36 pm

Reible;
A remote may be closer than we think.While at a woodworking show recently, Teknatool had a booth and were featuring their wrist watch style remote for the Nova DVR lathe. I asked if it would work with the PP and he said yes. He then showed me kit and said that all that was required was to install the controller inside the module.
My PP is still under warranty and I wasn't so sure so I passed, but it was an interesting conversation.
Bill V

brad_nalor · Post by **brad_nalor** » Mon May 07, 2012 2:53 pm

Ed,
I like the switch but can't read it without magnifiers. Needs oversized letters.

mrhart · Post by **mrhart** » Tue May 08, 2012 9:15 am

reible wrote:OK last one for now.

You know how you keep seeing those signs that say don't drink and shopsmith all along the bulletin boards and in magazines adds? Of course not, we have not started those ads yet.

So we have the sawstop group trying to make working at the saw safer, well I think more people are hurt on the various tools in the shop from being imparted from drinking. So what do you say about a system that prevents you from using the:

table saw

drill press

lathe

horizontal drill press

sander

router

shaper

and MORE

belt sander

strip sander

jig saw

scroll saw

bandsaw

thickness planner

and yes even the jointer

Introducing for PowerPro owners the last remote you will ever need!

We can make up the statics later, but to get started lets say 2 million accidents per year by buying a shopsmith with Pro remote.

Yes the PRO remote!

Coming in the near future for $729 including batteries.

[ATTACH]17377[/ATTACH]

Call 911 available in areas covered by 911.

Ed

So is this is probably a bad place to put my SS logo'd Cup Holder?

Curved to hang on the way tubes and with or without the dust hood to prevent chips in the beverage. Maybe even a dustport for the dc to attach on the back.
I use the SS in drill press mode now with a mixer head in it to blend Margaritas for our grandkids....oh they love it, and what fun too! You must always start the process on the A speed, but when you move up to "saw-joint" you better have a rag handy, it can get a little dicey! Thats why I have a couple kids right by the electrical outlet to give the cord a jerk if things go haywire. Yep, safety first.

burkhome · Post by **burkhome** » Tue May 08, 2012 12:24 pm

As long as we are inventing...how about voice activation..."SHOPSMITH ON...SHOPSMITH OFF...SHOPSMITH UP...SHOPSMITH DOWN". Sounds good to me.Dollars and cents would probably ruin everyones day.

judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Tue May 08, 2012 6:16 pm

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greitz · Post by **greitz** » Tue May 08, 2012 7:17 pm

I like Dave's idea....

How about a "Shopsmith-Roomba" that, at the end of the day, raises the Shopsmith up onto its casters, then scoots itself around the floor vacuuming up the dust and chips?

Of course, the legs would need rubber bumpers or something, but these could be custom colors as an added selling point.

Gary