Lift assist worth trade offs?

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Fri May 24, 2013 11:48 pm

I have a 510. I added the lift assist very shortly after purchasing the SS at the State Fair more than 15 years ago. I can't imagine myself using the SS the way I do without lift assist. I still find I have to bring the headstock to at least the 1/2 way position before I can Lift the unit to drillpress or drop the unit to saw/lathe. Point being, I would feel unsafe lowering the bars with the lift assit and I think I would be unable to raise the bars.
Well worth the money....to me.
JMHO

reible · Post by **reible** » Sat May 25, 2013 12:20 am

For those that want to get the feel of the 45 degree cut losses you can start simulating them now by subtracting 2-1/2" by way of some tape. Just tape off that amount of the tubes and get a feel for it.

I should also point out that I don't have a problem lifting my machine or lowering it without the lift assist. I have a bad back, dual herniated disks, so at some point I might be more dependent of the lift system but I sure wish it had been designed better.

Ed

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat May 25, 2013 2:50 am

Y'all realize this bevel cut depth limit with lift assist is a 510/520 problem only!;) Unless you really hang stuff off the right edge of the table.

rock · Post by **rock** » Sat May 25, 2013 9:00 am

I have shifted back and forth with my lift kit but find the limits to 45 degree cuts and the limit to my lathe duplicator just not worth the use. At 81 years of age, my lifting must be limited and opt to never try the drill press vertical to more than a high.

So not worth it.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat May 25, 2013 9:17 am

[quote="JPG40504"]Y'all realize this bevel cut depth limit with lift assist is a 510/520 problem only!]

Why do you say it effects only 510/520 models? Why not the Mark 7? I can see not counting the 10E or the Mark II and maybe the Mark 5 but....all of the "post Magna/Yuba manufactured" units are impacted - aren't they?

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat May 25, 2013 10:11 am

Way back when, I remember people were designing lift assists before Shopsmith came out with one.

If I remember correctly some fellow made one that is a lot like the SS lift assist with the exception of how it mounted. Again if memory serves me correctly he used a similar gas cylinder but instead of clamping to the way tubes it only pressed against them to lift the SS into dril press mode.

When the SS was in normal mode the pad that pressed against the tubes could be lowered enough for the carriage and if i remember correctly even the power head to slip pass it.

I also believe one guy built one with some sort of spring assembly that again merely pressed against the way tubes instead of being clamped to them.

I know there was a discussion about the SS lift assist and the storage cabinets that go under the SS. And in both models built by home craftsmen and cabinets could still be used.

I think most of these fell by the wayside as people started using the official SS model.

I can't seem to find any pictures or discussions on them. It might have been in the old Yahoo forum or the SSug forum.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Sat May 25, 2013 11:53 am

I kinda like the idea of the Fox/Smithy Supershop approach of incorporating what I assume is a type of coil spring in the end casing.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat May 25, 2013 12:19 pm

dusty wrote:Why do you say it effects only 510/520 models? Why not the Mark 7? I can see not counting the 10E or the Mark II and maybe the Mark 5 but....all of the "post Magna/Yuba manufactured" units are impacted - aren't they?

Sorry to confuse!

I consider a Mark 7 to be a 520 although it only comes one way(520).

Truth be told, the reason for my distinction was the absence of being able to extend the table width for ripping.

I was not considering cross cutting bevels on long work pieces which may be affected.

I was only considering ripping bevels on very wide workpieces that would require a table extension.

mountainbreeze · Post by **mountainbreeze** » Sat May 25, 2013 12:33 pm

When the day comes that I need a lift assist, here's what I plan to do...

I'll open the door from the garage to the house and yell "Honey - can you please come out here - I need some help". She's always willing to do what she can.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat May 25, 2013 12:34 pm

mountainbreeze wrote:When the day comes that I need a lift assist, here's what I plan to do...

I'll open the door from the garage to the house and yell "Honey - can you please come out here - I need some help". She's always willing to do what she can.

You are making a couple of 'assumptions' there!:D

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Lift assist worth trade offs?

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