Where are the Way Tubes???

[dusty]

I am attempting to design a jig that would be universal to all Mark 5/Vs.

In doing this I came up with some empirical numbers that I do not believe (my own measurements). The foundation for this entire project is the Way Tubes.

How far off the floor is the top of the Bench Tubes?

I measure 23 1/8" and I just do not believe that. I believe that it should be 23 1/4". Why do I believe that?? Because that is just the way the Shopsmith is designed. Measure almost anything and you will find what gives me my opinion.

The ultimate goal is to ascertain the intended distance that the upper drive shaft is above floor level. I contend that it was designed to be 38
1/2" (nice round number).

Measurements, please.

[Gene Howe]

Woah! Both of mine are 31-1/2.

[JPG]

'Bench' or 'way' tubes???

[Gene Howe]

Oops...nomenclature malfunction....or brain fart.
Mine are 23-1/8 also. To the center of the aux shaft is 38-11/16.

[reible]

Is the question really where are the way tubes or are we really wanting to the center of the shaft on the headstock?

I'm going to have to move cabinets from under mine to measure so I want to get what you really want.

Ed

[charlese]

Huh? I have always understood the way tubes are above the bench tubes. 23+"? This has got to be bench tubes.

[jsburger]

Unless the floor is perfectly flat the measurement will vary. To get an accurate measurement the machine would have to be sitting on a dead flat reference surface.

I measured both the full size MK 7 and the shorty at each end and in the middle. As you see the numbers are all different. I suspect if I move them to different places in the shop the numbers would change.

MK 7 Left 23 1/4 Center 23 3/16 Right 23 1/4
Shorty Left 23 1/4 Center 23 %/16 Right 23 3/8

[dusty]

Huh? I have always understood the way tubes are above the bench tubes. 23+"? This has got to be bench tubes.

You are correct, Charlese. I did a double talk in my request.

In reality, an accurate measurement to either one would serve the same purpose so long as it was identified.

[dusty]

Unless the floor is perfectly flat the measurement will vary. To get an accurate measurement the machine would have to be sitting on a dead flat reference surface.

I measured both the full size MK 7 and the shorty at each end and in the middle. As you see the numbers are all different. I suspect if I move them to different places in the shop the numbers would change.

MK 7 Left 23 1/4 Center 23 3/16 Right 23 1/4
Shorty Left 23 1/4 Center 23 %/16 Right 23 3/8

I must say that I am surprised. I thought that your floor was as close to perfect as is reasonably possible.

Except for the center on your Shorty, your numbers look very close to what I had expected. The numbers in the center I would expect to defiate more than those on either ends. A little sway in the tubes could account for that. Loosen the tubes and rotate them 180° to see.

[moggymatt]

23 3/16 on mine at mid point.