New to Shopsmith and Forum

[dsinsley]

Hey,
So last year I bought a used Mark V. Basic set up table saw, and a drill chuck. Since I have bought a band saw (no coupler yet so cant run it)and I have a lathe center (don't know the right name) for the motor side and a live center for the tail stock.

I have some basic questions.

(1)Which coupler should I use I see after market ones? Is the original one the best or should I use an after market one?

(2)Is there a chuck for the lathe that would thread to the saw blade arbor? Or is it better to go with an adapter and a chuck like a Nova?

(3)I have read various things about using the Shopsmith as a lathe. How big and heavy of stock can be turned without exceeding the limits of the motor and bearings.I have seen where guys will rung the motor out to the end and turn some pretty impressive sized diameter stock. But is seems as if this could put a lot of pressure on the motor.

(4)Not having every experienced a shopsmith before this one how can you tell when a head unit is in need of attention. Mine tends to be pretty noisy and when drilling doesn't seem to be real precise. Is this normal or should I be looking at maintenance? And if maintenance is recommended what and how do you do it?

Hope to be a part of the shopsmith community. My grandpa taught me wood working on his and have always wanted one. I have several stand alone tools but now I finally have my shopsmith.

[dusty]

Welcome to the forum and to the world of Shopsmith wood working.

Before answering any of your questions, I suggest that you browse through what is on the forum. Refer to the Sawdust Sessions.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Sawdust_Sessions.htm

Have you opened the headstock? If not, you might want to do so. If your machine needs service (and I will bet that it does) you will probably find out as soon as you get inside. No matter what you find, clean it, lubricate it, wax it and align it. All of those tasks are covered somewhere within those Sawdust Sessions.

If you do not already have one, get a manual.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/prod ... 0_1_14.pdf

[dsinsley]

I discovered the pinned topic under repair and maintenance that covers that. I started on the sawdust sessions talking about maintenance. I have not pulled the cover. So that is this weekends task to do all the routine cleaning and maintenance. I will down load the manual. I look forward to getting into it and getting it run smooth.

[dsinsley]

Ok well I hav went through the thread and sawdust sessions showing inspection and tear down. Very useful info and will be doing this this weekend. I am pretty sure I have a good idea on what to look for in the way of some suspect problems. On is the rattling of the speed adjustment. Something isn't right there maybe the missing spring talked about. Also wondering about my quill if I have a single bearing or dual bearing with worn bearings that are giving me less than perfect accuracy.

So an inspection and cleaning are in order I am sure.

[dusty]

No hammer required!!! Slow and delibereate. Come here to ask questions if something does not seem right. When using the allen wrench, make certain that it is inserted. The allen heads often get filled with saw dust. Clean it out so that the allen will seat. You do not want to strip out an allen screw head

[roy_okc]

@dsinsley,

Recommend you set your location within the forum's profile settings. There might be someone on here that is at least somewhat close to you who would be willing to provide mentoring, etc.

Roy

[dsinsley]

Ok I believe I set my location. It is Post Falls Id

[JPG]

. . .

(1)Which coupler should I use I see after market ones? Is the original one the best or should I use an after market one?

(2)Is there a chuck for the lathe that would thread to the saw blade arbor? Or is it better to go with an adapter and a chuck like a Nova?

(3)I have read various things about using the Shopsmith as a lathe. How big and heavy of stock can be turned without exceeding the limits of the motor and bearings.I have seen where guys will rung the motor out to the end and turn some pretty impressive sized diameter stock. But is seems as if this could put a lot of pressure on the motor. Actually the quill bearings.

(4)Not having every experienced a shopsmith before this one how can you tell when a head unit is in need of attention. Mine tends to be pretty noisy and when drilling doesn't seem to be real precise. Is this normal or should I be looking at maintenance? And if maintenance is recommended what and how do you do it?

Hope to be a part of the shopsmith community. My grandpa taught me wood working on his and have always wanted one. I have several stand alone tools but now I finally have my shopsmith.

Curious what you mean by drilling inaccurate. Wobble? End play?

[dsinsley]

Curious what you mean by drilling inaccurate. Wobble? End play?

Wobble. I don't notice it so much with small drill bits but with spade or forschner (sp) bits it seems to wobble just slightly. When running it with in lathe mode I don't notice it and I have turned some pretty small parts. so may only be my imagination.

[algale]

Did you make sure you mounted the drill chuck so the set screw was directly over the flat part of the spindle? You'd be surprised how little off you need to be for the accessory (in this case the chuck) to end up cocked at an angle if the set screw isn't flush on the flat.