Rpm

[paulmcohen]

Paul Cohen,
You made my point exactly......
Doc

I don't see how I made your point or I don't understand your point, what RPM do you want printed on the dial? The chart that came with my Shopsmith is 14" wide and almost 2 feet tall must too much information to put on the machine. I was just working on my machine and some time ago Shopsmith did send me a partial speed chart for the lathe that glues on the front. It lists the RPM from A to R next to the size of wood that could be turned at each setting.

[a1gutterman]

I do not have any problem with the ShopSmith letter speed settings. Using the SS recommended settings works for me, and the operator can always adjust for a faster or slower speed for his/her own liking. A person can always use Paul's (thank you for sharing, Paul) and/or ShopSmith's chart(s) if they really just have to have the rpm information.

Originally Posted by paulmcohen:
BTW: Does anyone know what "ider" is I am thinking it is a type for Molder.

I notice nobody has answered this inquiry: I too, am interested in the answer.

[chiroindixon]

This tread started with a basic question...

Can anyone correlate the letter on the speed setting to RPM’s? Or point me to where I can find this conversion. I want to set my lathe to a specific RPM to match the work. I fell like I am guessing when I set it on "g"

My follow up posts were to point out how ridiculous those letters on the speed dial are. Replacing them with numerals, much like a tachometer, would have the issue solved, and the alphabet soup on the "Big Chart" gone.

I personally pay no attention to them and simply dial up, "Scroll Saw" or "Dado" or "Saw-Joint"....then fine tune by feel or ear. Things become more fuzzy when I take a SPT and mount it on my Power Station. There my choices are 1-9....?? Here a revised RPM decal is surely in order.

I can see others points here and the "Big Chart" can prove helpful for starting speed choices. But using letters ?

Doc

[paulmcohen]

My follow up posts were to point out how ridiculous those letters on the speed dial are. Replacing them with numerals, much like a tachometer, would have the issue solved, and the alphabet soup on the "Big Chart" gone.

I personally pay no attention to them and simply dial up, "Scroll Saw" or "Dado" or "Saw-Joint"....then fine tune by feel or ear. Things become more fuzzy when I take a SPT and mount it on my Power Station. There my choices are 1-9....?? Here a revised RPM decal is surely in order.

I can see others points here and the "Big Chart" can prove helpful for starting speed choices. But using letters ?

Doc

I agree the Power Station should have had RPM, because it only has one power takeoff (PTO) and no increase or reducer. For the Shopsmith if you had the little lathe speed chart on the front, shown below, that issue would have been solved. Putting RPM on the dial would be confusing because of the three PTOs and two speed changers.

The big speed chart is still neccessary even if you had RPM on the dial, it just would not have letters.

[ATTACH]1120[/ATTACH]

[curiousgeorge]

Paul, I bought my MK V new two years ago and it came with the lathe speed chart attached just above the dial. So, I guess, the chart is standard now.

[Ed in Tampa]

I think you all are missing the Doc's point. His question is why not just put the Rpm on the dial and on each SPT stamp on a recommended RPM range.

If both the SS and the power stand had RPM range on the dial and the tool had the recommended RPM range you wouldn't need a chart, or do any conversion. Just set the dial to the recommended RPM mount the tool and work.

Makes sense and would make setting up on the Shopsmith one step easier.
Ed

[chiroindixon]

I agree the Power Station should have had RPM, because it only has one power takeoff (PTO) and no increase or reducer. For the Shopsmith if you had the little lathe speed chart on the front, shown below, that issue would have been solved. Putting RPM on the dial would be confusing because of the three PTOs and two speed changers.

The big speed chart is still neccessary even if you had RPM on the dial, it just would not have letters.

[ATTACH]1120[/ATTACH]

You're getting the idea.....My point is that the "letters" are completely worthless. Just retool the speed dial with RPM's where the letters are now.

Leave the "Scrollsaw", "Dado","Saw Joint", etc markings as they are. They are quick and easy guides for proper usage.

As for the three PTO's...the top two spin at the same rate. The one on the dial. The lower left is really not an issue. My machine has a metal label that dictates "Use for scroll saw or jointer only". Easy....Dial to "Scrollsaw" or "Joint"....

The speed changers....I own the reducer and love it. It solved the problem of the Mark V walking across the floor when turning an oddball burl or other large piece. I start on slowest speed and work my way up watching the workpiece and machine for bad vibrations, only speeding up when it's clear sailing.

As for the increaser, I can't see having one. A TA instructor wisely told us "Spend your money on a decent router"....Point taken.

I am a die hard Shopsmith fan. Many others have commented on ways to "help", varying from supporting TA's, Nick and Drew's most excellent videos, and tips to improve all sorts of safety, accuracy, sales, or other operations. My comments were tendered in that effort.

My wife and I belong to the large local woodturning club, which has as members, national caliber and well known turners. Shopsmith is not held in any favorable regard despite being a capable lathe with many other abilities. It's things like the "letters" and the "Big Chart" that draw derision and "It's a toy" or "Mickey Mouse" comments. Time to lose this anachronism.

I hope to be the first to get a new decal for my Power Station.....

Doc

[chiroindixon]

Thanks, Ed.

You and I must have been pecking away at the same time. Great minds in the same......(Fill in the blank")

Doc....

[paulmcohen]

I think you all are missing the Doc's point. His question is why not just put the Rpm on the dial and on each SPT stamp on a recommended RPM range.

If both the SS and the power stand had RPM range on the dial and the tool had the recommended RPM range you wouldn't need a chart, or do any conversion. Just set the dial to the recommended RPM mount the tool and work.

Makes sense and would make setting up on the Shopsmith one step easier.
Ed

That make sense, except for the speed reducer and increaser. Also if you look at the chart many operations require a range of speeds and therefor you may still need the chart.

[reible]

Sorry but I LIKE the letters.

If you are really interested in seeing shopsmith do this why not give Bob a call and offer to pay for the "retooling". See if they are interested then. It sounds like you think it will be cheap to do and despite the conditions at shopsmith they should drop everything and get on this project. Yea it will pay for itself in sales....... OK now back to the real world.

I will also say if I had been the engineer designing this it would have the letters... it still makes the most sence given 50/60 cycle operations, 1.6X output and the various things that attach, speed reducers and otherwise.

I believe the prototypes of the MK VII had rpms but I think the production models went back to letters. Anyone remember this??

Ed