Is it important to be able to access the backside of the SS?

Forum for Maintenance and Repair topics. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

Moderator: admin

suntower
Gold Member
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 5:58 pm
Location: Seattle

Is it important to be able to access the backside of the SS?

Post by suntower »

Another stupid question but... I gotta decide where this thing will live.

My 'Greenie' has no casters. Space is tight. I'd -like- to put the thing near to a wall if possible. But in most of the videos it looks like users have the thing intentionally out in the open.

So: is it necessary/recommended to be able to freely walk around the thing for routine use?
Greenie #317956. Jointer Model 620 #40077
RonKlein
Gold Member
Posts: 115
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:37 pm
Location: Santa Clarita, CA

Re: Is it important to be able to access the backside of the SS?

Post by RonKlein »

What is the longest board you will be ripping? That will determine how much minimum clearance you will need.

Ron
Ron--K6VPV
510, upgraded to 520, now PowerPro, bandsaw, jointer, belt sander, jointmatic, scroll saw, strip sander, pro planer, OPR, DC3300, and more.
User avatar
thunderbirdbat
Platinum Member
Posts: 842
Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2015 11:23 am
Location: Marion, Iowa

Re: Is it important to be able to access the backside of the SS?

Post by thunderbirdbat »

It depends on what features you want to use. If it is only used as a drill press or lathe, it would not be necessary. If you are going to use the table saw feature, the out feed area has to be as long as the cut length. My suggestion is to take a board the length that you will be using most often and make sure there is enough room for it to clear the table saw blade. I have placed a dado in an eight foot 2 x 4 lengthwise, requiring eight feet in front of the SS for feeding the board and eight feet behind to allow the cut to go the entire length.
Brenda

1998 510 upgraded to a 520, upgraded to power pro with double tilt and lift assist.
1998 bandsaw
2016 beltsander
jointer
overarm pin router
User avatar
jsburger
Platinum Member
Posts: 6585
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:06 pm
Location: Hooper, UT

Re: Is it important to be able to access the backside of the SS?

Post by jsburger »

suntower wrote:Another stupid question but... I gotta decide where this thing will live.

My 'Greenie' has no casters. Space is tight. I'd -like- to put the thing near to a wall if possible. But in most of the videos it looks like users have the thing intentionally out in the open.

So: is it necessary/recommended to be able to freely walk around the thing for routine use?
Well, you need to be able to feed stock across the saw, the jointer, etc. If you only use very short stock then up against a wall should not be a problem. However, I would say you will want to walk around the machine regardless. Maintenance and other things need to be done and the machine needs to have 360* access for some of it.

Buy a set of castors, you won't regret it. They are on eBay all the time.
John & Mary Burger
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
Hooper, UT
oldiron
Gold Member
Posts: 304
Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2015 10:33 pm
Location: Maryland

Re: Is it important to be able to access the backside of the SS?

Post by oldiron »

I keep mine snugged up against the wall. When I need to perform maintenance or work with longer stock, I just extend the casters and move the machine towards the center of the room.

If yours doesn't have casters, Do as John stated and get yourself a set. You won't regret it...

Mike
ERLover
Platinum Member
Posts: 3914
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2015 10:19 pm
Location: Greenie and Goldie Country not to metion the WI Badgers!

Re: Is it important to be able to access the backside of the SS?

Post by ERLover »

I forgot if you have the back side opening for lubing the pork chop, if so that is a thought, but not needed in your disision, since that is every 10 operating hours.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE EQUALS WISDOM. Albert Einstein
The Greatness officially starts :D :D :D :D :D :D
Greenie, Grayling, SS stand alone BS and BS SPT, jointer and belt sander, 3 Ers with Speed Changers. I think those 3 cover my ER needs, and space for them. :)
User avatar
reible
Platinum Member
Posts: 11283
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 12:08 pm
Location: Aurora, IL

Re: Is it important to be able to access the backside of the SS?

Post by reible »

Almost all of my tools have casters or wheels of some sort. I can't imagine my shop without the ability to move things around. I guess if I had a big dedicated area maybe..... but remember if you use it you will have to clean up afterwards, and it is easier to move the machine then to crawl under it to do that. Besides you might well want to use the area under the machine for storage so it will be harder to clean up after that.

You can get by for a while without but I think most of us here have them, either from the factory that way or via an upgrade. Keep in mind you can save 5% now off a new set or wait and see if and what the price increase is after Aug 14th.

Ed
{Knight of the Shopsmith} [Hero's don't wear capes, they wear dog tags]
ERLover
Platinum Member
Posts: 3914
Joined: Mon Aug 31, 2015 10:19 pm
Location: Greenie and Goldie Country not to metion the WI Badgers!

Re: Is it important to be able to access the backside of the SS?

Post by ERLover »

reible wrote:Almost all of my tools have casters or wheels of some sort. I can't imagine my shop without the ability to move things around. I guess if I had a big dedicated area maybe..... but remember if you use it you will have to clean up afterwards, and it is easier to move the machine then to crawl under it to do that. Besides you might well want to use the area under the machine for storage so it will be harder to clean up after that.

You can get by for a while without but I think most of us here have them, either from the factory that way or via an upgrade. Keep in mind you can save 5% now off a new set or wait and see if and what the price increase is after Aug 14th.

Ed
I totally agree, all my stuff is on wheels/castors with 2 with locks, some home made platforms that they sit on, and some of the commercial ones that you can adjust there foot print in assembly. As far as SS I use theres, so much easier and like all SS stuff, very functional, yes a bit pricey, but not junk.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE EQUALS WISDOM. Albert Einstein
The Greatness officially starts :D :D :D :D :D :D
Greenie, Grayling, SS stand alone BS and BS SPT, jointer and belt sander, 3 Ers with Speed Changers. I think those 3 cover my ER needs, and space for them. :)
damagi
Platinum Member
Posts: 927
Joined: Wed Jan 06, 2010 6:06 pm
Location: near Seattle, WA

Re: Is it important to be able to access the backside of the SS?

Post by damagi »

I have a number of sets of casters available...if you want some just ping me and we can work something out.
suntower
Gold Member
Posts: 79
Joined: Wed Jun 29, 2016 5:58 pm
Location: Seattle

Re: Is it important to be able to access the backside of the SS?

Post by suntower »

Thanks for all the good replies!

---JC
Greenie #317956. Jointer Model 620 #40077
Post Reply