Question about the SS Utility Light...

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:43 pm

Darn you ShopSmith... Just when I think I'm about settled down and can save some money ShopSmith sends out another e-mail with another great sale...

I was looking at the SPT and Accessories sale packet and was interested in the Utility Light. Looking at the web page for the light it also lists an "Extra Support Bracket" I can't tell from the photo if the light gooseneck is permanently attached to the angle bracket or if it has some kind of quick disconnect or what. Is it possible to have one Utility light and a mounting bracket on a Bandsaw SPT and another bracket on the power head and quickly/easily move the light back and forth between them?

greitz · Post by **greitz** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:10 pm

The Utility Light gooseneck ends in a thin metal plate with two "fingers" which slide/wedge between the bracket and whatever the bracket is attached to. So yes, the light is portable if you have extra brackets. (I have brackets on the headstock, carriage, bandsaw, scroll saw stand, and a couple of adjustable roller stands (so I can move it anywhere in the garage).)

The brackets are also used with the Utility Vacuum Extension (555582), which allows you to position the dust collector hose end wherever you're making sawdust. Great for lathe turning and drilling operations.

I highly recommend the T-Track Light Support Bracket (521787) as well, which lets you mount the light (or the vacuum hose) anywhere there's a T-slot.

Note on mounting the brackets: They come with self-tapping metal screws. Depending on the thickness/strength of the metal you're attaching the bracket to, you may want to use nuts and bolts instead. Twisting the light around can put a lot of torque on those screws, and I've had a couple of them strip out the threads in the hole.

Hope that helps,

Gary

cowboyplus · Post by **cowboyplus** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 6:28 pm

I made my extra brackets out of oak scraps. Make extras for light storage on the wall when it gets in the way of long stock, not needed, or just a work bench light.

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:39 pm

Thanks allot for the quick replies. It sounds then as if I should be able to get one light and buy (or make) a couple mounting brackets to move and mount the light wherever I'm currently working without much trouble. Sounds as if ShopSmith has thought this out well, as they have with everything else I've noticed.

Only question now is... They just put it on sale, but the web page says "Status: Item may be on BACK-ORDER, or is made upon ordering." Would they really put something on a special sale that they don't have in stock?

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:41 pm

tom_k/mo wrote:...Only question now is... They just put it on sale, but the web page says "Status: Item may be on BACK-ORDER, or is made upon ordering." Would they really put something on a special sale that they don't have in stock?

It has been my experience that, Yes, either that is exactly what they do, or they sell off their stock quickly and can knot fill all orders instantly. It has also been my experience to get the back-ordered items in a reasonable amount of time.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 1:36 am

tom_k/mo wrote:...Only question now is... They just put it on sale, but the web page says "Status: Item may be on BACK-ORDER, or is made upon ordering." Would they really put something on a special sale that they don't have in stock?

My experience has been over 50% of those items are actually in stock. The key words in that statement are "May be". Give them a phone call to make the order and you can find out the actual status right on the spot.

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 2:45 pm

Just an update, I called SS to order the lamp, and asked. Yes, it IS on backorder. The assistant on the phone said that they do that quite often (put something on a special sale that they don't have in stock). Oh well, it's ordered and I'll have something to look forward to receiving sometime soon (I hope).

The last of my items from a previous order that were backordered (Lift Assist kit) just arrived this week. Looking forward to getting that installed.

timster68 · Post by **timster68** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:06 pm

The nice thing that Shopsmith does is NOT to charge your card until the item ships and if certain items are backorderd for a while, they start to break the shipments up. However I still have an item on backorder (555783) since May. That particualr order they needed to break up into 5 different shipments due to inventory issues. Maybe one day.....

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 7:47 pm

Hi Tim! I just made a small order to SS and got their confirmation message. Low and behold, one of the items I can get for 20% off is 555783. They must be in stock now. If you call SS and ask, they might give you the discounted price, since it has been so long since your order. Hope! Hope!

perryobear · Post by **perryobear** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 5:57 pm

Hi Guys,

Good old 555783, that's the P/N for the infamous rip fence mounted featherboard isn't it?

Mine have been on backorder since last April (it was a special deal for me back then too).

I asked customer service about it when I called in an order last Monday - Latest delivery date they have is in October, but the customer service rep indicated that they have been promised delivery of this item several times over the past months.

But overall Shopsmith is pretty good to us, and, Patience is a Virtue isn't it?.

Dennis