Create a review for a woodworking tool that you are familiar with (Shopsmith brand or Non-Shopsmith) or just post your opinion on a specific tool. Head to head comparisons welcome too.
I've gone through many of the back posts and see the rave reviews by Dusty, Jim and many others on how the Lift Assist makes thing tremendously easier, especially when it gets tougher to lift based on getting gray hair
However, are the trade offs with the tilting saw table, universal lathe bed, etc.? I have no plans to install the dual tilt, but will be buying the PowerPro and 520 table upgrade in June and the lathe bed later this fall.
I "really" like the idea of not getting a hernia trying to lift the PowerPro, but not certain if the trade off is worth the loss in using other aspects of the system.
Ben;
I have the standard lift assist with the Power Pro headstock. I find that this works OK but SS does offer a heavier gas cartridge for the PP headstock.
Also the PP headstock is about 20 pounds heavier than the standard one. A suggestion that I have is to move the headstock all the way to the left and try to lift the unit into drill press mode. Then lay it back down and add 20 pounds of weight to the headstock and try again. If you are comfortable with the additional weight then you can get away without the lift assist.
Unless you do a lot of bevel cuts at the 45 deg mark the lift assist won't make a difference.
As for the Universal lathe rest, I don't have one and have not used one but I can't see it making a difference for lathe work because it clamps to the table carriage and would sit above the lift assist bracket but it will still limit travel to the right. The small amount of travel that is lost can be made up using a #2 Morse to #2 Morse extension available from Grizzly and other suppliers. This will allow small turnings to be positioned about 4" to the left to clear the brackets.
Bill V
PS, Come to think about it, The Universal tool rest will probably work OK because from the pics I see it appears that it will have more reach and the tool rest would be able to be positioned closer to the tailstock, but I would have to have one in my hands to tell for sure.
Ben;
I have the standard lift assist with the Power Pro headstock. I find that this works OK but SS does offer a heavier gas cartridge for the PP headstock.
Also the PP headstock is about 20 pounds heavier than the standard one. A suggestion that I have is to move the headstock all the way to the left and try to lift the unit into drill press mode. Then lay it back down and add 20 pounds of weight to the headstock and try again. If you are comfortable with the additional weight then you can get away without the lift assist.
Unless you do a lot of bevel cuts at the 45 deg mark the lift assist won't make a difference.
As for the Universal lathe rest, I don't have one and have not used one but I can't see it making a difference for lathe work because it clamps to the table carriage and would sit above the lift assist bracket but it will still limit travel to the right. The small amount of travel that is lost can be made up using a #2 Morse to #2 Morse extension available from Grizzly and other suppliers. This will allow small turnings to be positioned about 4" to the left to clear the brackets.
Bill V
If I were shopsmith I'd be ashamed to sell the lift assist to anyone.
I can not recommend that anyone purchase one.
The 45 degree issue is totally unacceptable. Unless I find a work around I will be taking the lift assist off my machine, the lost of functionality out ways the easy of lifting.
This mess-up put a serious dent in my opinion of shopsmith.
Sorry folks, as loyal as I am I can not tell a lie, they messed up big time on the lift assist.
So anyone have a work around hiding in their shop?
Seriously, if I had know what I do now the credit card would have stayed in my pocket.
IMHO, Lift assist is not any more necessary with the PowerPro than the old standard headstock. To offset the added weight of the PowerPro, I make sure the headstock is slid pretty far to the pivot side.
Leave enough room to insert a jack between the headstock and the base assembly. I use an old screw jack to lift or lower the headstock to the desired position. I made a 1" wide wood pad that fits the top of the jack, straddles the way tubes and has a 1/2" hole about 1/4" deep on the top side to surround the front motor plate screw. There is also a recess on the bottom to hold the jacks lift assembly.
I think if a lift assist is needed for a standard headstock, it can also be used for a PowerPro.
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
I am fortunate enough to not 'need' the lift assist so I have not given serious consideration to acquiring one.
Now that Ed has 'revealed' the serious drawback, I have to agree with him that the loss of function is too excessive.
I also agree with him on the short sidedness of its design.
However for those who 'need' the assist I am sure it is a godsend.
Shopsmith should be upfront with the loss of function.
As Dusty has said previously, this beast is unforgiving re changes that do not take into account effects elsewhere than intended. Sometimes SS loses sight of that! This be an example.
So somebody devise a non-interfering lift assist that will work on both ends of a double tilt! Do not interfere with extension table posts under the pivot!;)
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
[quote="JPG40504"]So somebody devise a non-interfering lift assist that will work on both ends of a double tilt! Do not interfere with extension table posts under the pivot!]
Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
Bill's idea about the MT2 extension was worth the price of admission and even the popcorn!
After the heart attack last year I have REALLY cut back on how hard I try to push myself and seriously considered the lift when I get the head and table upgrade in June. It would only add $10 a month to the Lowe's payment.
The major worry was that I make many 45 degree cuts and much of the head upgrade is for turning.
I guess for now I'll try Dennis's solution since I already have a block and tackle so I even get to save that $15
[quote="benush26"]Thanks everyone for the quality feedback.
Bill's idea about the MT2 extension was worth the price of admission and even the popcorn! ]
Like so many of life's problems, there are work-arounds and compromises. In the case of the lift assist, I want it there so I just deal with the issues that it introduces. The issues are insignificant (to me) given my need to use the lift assist.
Like has been said, move the headstock toward the pivot end and the lift assist will almost completely eliminate the need to lift.
In addition to the bevel problem being discussed, the lift assist also limits the headstock movement to the right side. This can become an issue when using the lathe. The headrest is further away.
"Making Sawdust Safely" Dusty
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