lowering the shopsmith

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.

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terrydowning
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Post by terrydowning »

That would mean lugging the contraption up the stairs. Which is not happening. I'm also not a fan of woodworking in living areas of the house. SWMBO or not I don't want to live in the detritus that accumulates in a shop. I prefer my living and relaxing areas to be a bit cleaner.
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Terry
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1955 Shopsmith Mark 5 S/N 296860 Workshop and Tools
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idcook
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Post by idcook »

terrydowning wrote:That would mean lugging the contraption up the stairs. Which is not happening. I'm also not a fan of woodworking in living areas of the house. SWMBO or not I don't want to live in the detritus that accumulates in a shop. I prefer my living and relaxing areas to be a bit cleaner.
I’m sure SWMBO or not would be very pleased to hear that.
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benush26
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Post by benush26 »

terrydowning wrote:Like this Harbor Freight Motorcycle Lift? Just a thought. If I had $350 laying around with nothing to do and the height was a major issue for me. I'd experiment. My issue is the opposite regrading lathe. Operations. I would like the SS to be a bit higher. But I would like the TS lower. Seems like this would do the job nicely.
Image
I do remember seeing this posted, however I had no clue it was so inexpensive.

A good friend has a motorcycle lift in his garage (remember the "good wood" story?) that he bought for the bargain price of $950. That was using a professional discount and didn't include freight,

At $350 with discount, it does make more economic sense to buy it instead. I figured buying used Shopsmith parts via Ebay (current prices) it would cost at least $240. That didn't include the frame. Adding the time to cut and splice at $7.75 (I'd pay myself minimum wage at least :rolleyes: ) I'd be dang close to that $350 mark.

Scrap my idea!

Be well,
Ben
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benush26
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Post by benush26 »

idcook wrote:Iiiiii dunno benush.

Now, I’m jussa po country barrister, but I see, I say, I see considerable potential for issues regardin’ structural integrity and operator safety. (I suspect the suspect ingredient in this contraption to be rum but, being a whiskey man myself, I’m no expert.)

Having to align two tables if you need to adjust the height could be a headache.

Seems to me that the best way to tackle this concern is with a platform or to remove the legs entirely and place the whole works (sans legs) on something else that allows for its height to be adjusted.

Of course I’m also not a big fan of chopping up the original goods. Probably because I only have one good to chop if choppin’ urges should arise. Maybe I’ll find myself a raggedy machine that I can subject to my merest whim one day.
My ex became a lawyer after we divorced, which explains why I could never win an argument with her even when I was right! :rolleyes: :D

I completely concur regarding placing the contraption on a base like a strong cabinet. It would be much easier. However, if the wheel post or handles on the carriages were indexed when the table posts are inserted, then turning them the same revolutions (preferably at the same time) would be fairly simple even for a country barrister to accomplish! :D Of course if you wish to file an appeal defectum evidentiae, I'm sure any judge would quickly grant it! :D

Be well,
Ben
Mike907
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Post by Mike907 »

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dusty
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Post by dusty »


Great work bench. Much appreciated post. Thank you, Mike.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKUVgv_iLtM
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Dusty
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benush26
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Post by benush26 »

That is the modification I made for my springtime build workbench. I'll use steel posts on each corner rather than wood and the jack I purchased is much smaller, but the same thought.
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joshh
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Post by joshh »

I have a coupon for the motorcycle lift linked above for $339 (it says normal price is $699). If anyone wants it, send me your address and I'll toss it in the mail.
- 1986 Mark V 500 Mini

- 1985 Mark V 510 with reversible motor, bandsaw, jointer, and double-tilt.

I offer quality motor reversal, rebuilding, and rewiring. Contact me at HarbourTools@live.com
larryhrockisland
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Post by larryhrockisland »

I knew I remembered something I had seen way back in 2007-ish. Here's a site, http://home.comcast.net/~tegger/sscabinet.html where a guy used hydraulic cylinders. The cylinders were expensive so I thought of the scissor jacks, like the earlier videos, and even chased down 12 volt jacks, http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/ ... C=WIB20001, then I ultimately did nothing but did have a lot of fun thinking of different ways to do this.

Larry Hargrove
Rock Island, Ok
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idcook
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Post by idcook »

larryhrockisland wrote:I knew I remembered something I had seen way back in 2007-ish. Here's a site, http://home.comcast.net/~tegger/sscabinet.html where a guy used hydraulic cylinders. The cylinders were expensive so I thought of the scissor jacks, like the earlier videos, and even chased down 12 volt jacks, http://www.heartlandamerica.com/browse/ ... C=WIB20001, then I ultimately did nothing but did have a lot of fun thinking of different ways to do this.

Larry Hargrove
Rock Island, Ok

Practical solutions. No damage and probably allows for improvements to suit various particulars of the user.
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