It seems that more old MarkV 500s are showing up either complete or as parts, and that gave me an idea of trying to use two carriages and tables side by side on an old 500 to have a larger table for sawing. The carriage would be there all the time, but the second table would be used only when a larger working space is needed.
Has anybody tried this, and did it cause any issues with flexibility when working with other tools? I suppose I could just try it for a while and see if it causes problems. If it does, I would pull it off again.
Two tables
Moderator: admin
-
rjent
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 2121
- Joined: Fri Mar 14, 2014 3:00 pm
- Location: Hot Springs, New Mexico
Re: Two tables
The only thing that comes to mind is that it will increase your minimum "reach" in your lathe work. I think it is a good idea. I use one of the other machines all the time as out feed tables. Works great.
JMHO
JMHO
Dick
1965 Mark VII S/N 407684
1951 10 ER S/N ER 44570 -- Reborn 9/16/14
1950 10 ER S/N ER 33479 Reborn July 2016
1950 10 ER S/N ER 39671
1951 jigsaw X 2
1951 !0 ER #3 in rebuild
500, Jointer, Bsaw, Bsander, Planer
2014 Mark 7 W/Lift assist - 14 4" Jointer - DC3300
And a plethora of small stuff .....
"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." - Benjamin Franklin
1965 Mark VII S/N 407684
1951 10 ER S/N ER 44570 -- Reborn 9/16/14
1950 10 ER S/N ER 33479 Reborn July 2016
1950 10 ER S/N ER 39671
1951 jigsaw X 2
1951 !0 ER #3 in rebuild
500, Jointer, Bsaw, Bsander, Planer
2014 Mark 7 W/Lift assist - 14 4" Jointer - DC3300
And a plethora of small stuff .....
"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." - Benjamin Franklin
-
JPG
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 35457
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
Re: Two tables
It has been done, but on the other side of the headstock. There it causes connectivity problem to SPTs.
Interesting approach for lathe work(two tool rests?).
As a temporary 'assist', I think it useful. I can see some long term issues with it being in the way.
So I see it as a personal approach thing.
Interesting approach for lathe work(two tool rests?).
As a temporary 'assist', I think it useful. I can see some long term issues with it being in the way.
So I see it as a personal approach thing.
╔═══╗
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝
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
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝
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
Re: Two tables
But, of course, you could remove it if it didn't work out for you. And the original machine would be no worse for the experiment. Plus you won't have spent a $1000 on parts. Why not try it and see.
Re: Two tables
A few years ago, I cut the legs off of a few 500 main tables, made a jig and welded the legs using the SPT spacing. This allowed a tillable table at either end of the Shopsmith that mates with the 500 main table. I included a few of these tables with the MINIs and SHORTYs I was selling. I still have the jig so have been thinking about converting a few more 500 main tables. This also allows the MINI to be used for sawing wood and as a drill press. I have one of these modified 500 main tables on my Mark V Power Station to sharpen planer and joiner knives. This allows me to tilt the table to starting sanding on the heel of the knives.
-
Steamdragon
- Gold Member
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Sat Aug 01, 2015 12:50 am
- Location: San Jose, CA
Re: Two tables
My question is are you placing the units end to end or side by side?
Re: Two tables
They would go side by side on the way tubes between the headstock and the right end of the Shopsmith.
-
UncleSnick
- Gold Member
- Posts: 37
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2014 8:36 am
- Location: Bethelehm, PA Nick's 'Nuthin Fancy'
Re: Two tables
I use a two table setup on one of my units to give me a larger table / support for sawing. It came as a result of having 3 units and converting one to a shortie for SPT use.
Shortcomings:
1) I can't use a standard coupler to drive SPT's because the carriage on the auxiliary side of the unit wont let the head get close enough. Solution: I have a shortie for SPT's!
2) This reduces the length limit for lathe. Solution: If needed I could: a) use my Greenie or, b) use a steadyrest. So far, this hasn't been a problem.
See the picture. Ignore the jigsaw under the cover. I had just placed it there to take pictures of it.
Shortcomings:
1) I can't use a standard coupler to drive SPT's because the carriage on the auxiliary side of the unit wont let the head get close enough. Solution: I have a shortie for SPT's!
2) This reduces the length limit for lathe. Solution: If needed I could: a) use my Greenie or, b) use a steadyrest. So far, this hasn't been a problem.
See the picture. Ignore the jigsaw under the cover. I had just placed it there to take pictures of it.
- Attachments
-
- Two Table Setup
- IMG_3827 - reduced.jpg (93.93 KiB) Viewed 1595 times
My shop is my time machine. I go there and lose all sense of time!
Greenie Serial 293128 March 1955
Greenie Serial 300735 August 1955 - Bad shape, future restoration project.
Grey Serial SS102778 Sept 1981 - Reversible shorty SPT driver.
Grey Serial SS168100 Feb 1984
Band saw Serial SS48432 Sept 1981
4" Jointer Serial SS91521 Nov 1985
Jigsaw Serial 33556 Jan 1984
Greenie Serial 293128 March 1955
Greenie Serial 300735 August 1955 - Bad shape, future restoration project.
Grey Serial SS102778 Sept 1981 - Reversible shorty SPT driver.
Grey Serial SS168100 Feb 1984
Band saw Serial SS48432 Sept 1981
4" Jointer Serial SS91521 Nov 1985
Jigsaw Serial 33556 Jan 1984
Re: Two tables
I have a jig that allows me to cut the legs off the 500 main table trunnion and weld them to fit in the SPT holes in the headstock and base arm. This table aligns with the main 500 table and fence. I had made up a few of these tables to allow a sawing function for the MINI Shopsmiths I was selling. I have about a dozen 500 main tables laying around that I hope to convert this spring and offer on Ebay to go along with my Bench Top MINI Frame Kit. I used these converted tables on each end of my displayed Shopsmith in my Home Show booth for years to display catalogs, papers and business cards. I had one of these tables on my Mark V Power Station which is set up for sharpening planer and joiner knives.
-
tomsalwasser
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 928
- Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2010 2:09 pm
Re: Two tables
Thanks Bill, sounds very useful. Love to see one if you have a picture.billmayo wrote:I have a jig that allows me to cut the legs off the 500 main table trunnion and weld them to fit in the SPT holes in the headstock and base arm. This table aligns with the main 500 table and fence. I had made up a few of these tables to allow a sawing function for the MINI Shopsmiths I was selling. I have about a dozen 500 main tables laying around that I hope to convert this spring and offer on Ebay to go along with my Bench Top MINI Frame Kit. I used these converted tables on each end of my displayed Shopsmith in my Home Show booth for years to display catalogs, papers and business cards. I had one of these tables on my Mark V Power Station which is set up for sharpening planer and joiner knives.