Time to plan the shorty shopsmith

[reible]

Maybe I'll see of one of my sons has sometime this week end and can cut them for me.

I do have this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-amp-dee ... 62800.html

And a metal cutting blade but have never used it on metal. Since it is made for this sort of project it would make since but I'm not sure I'm going to be up for the process. One of the boys would like the fun I'm sure.

The issue will be getting a reasonably square cut to length. I notice I have this with wood but it doesn't matter as much there.

Ed

[dusty]

Maybe I'll see of one of my sons has sometime this week end and can cut them for me.

I do have this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-amp-dee ... 62800.html

And a metal cutting blade but have never used it on metal. Since it is made for this sort of project it would make since but I'm not sure I'm going to be up for the process. One of the boys would like the fun I'm sure.

The issue will be getting a reasonably square cut to length. I notice I have this with wood but it doesn't matter as much there.

Ed

I cut mine with a pipe cutter from Harbor Freight. I did not get a nice square cut but I believe that was the result of poor technique. A bit of filing fixed that and I would not hesitate to do it again. If that occasion was to arise, I might give serious consideration to buying or renting an appropriate pipe cutter.

[billmayo]

I used a metal cutting blade in a hack saw for the first set of tubes I cut. The first tube cut went side ways as I cut through the tube. I marked a straight line around the next tube and just cut through the tube, rotated the tube 20 deg and cut through again. I continue to rotate the tube until I finished the cut. This gave me a straight cut across the end of the tube. This was a very time consuming for these tubes and a tiring task so I quickly brought a large 60s pipe cutter. This went much better for cutting the tubes. About 10 years ago, I brought a slightly used HF metal cutting bandsaw which I still use. This is very simple, just clamp the tube and let the machine do the work. It stops when the tube is cut. I use a file to clean up the cut edge while rotating the tube in my Shopsmith that is set up for tube cleaning and polishing.

[jsburger]

When I made my shorty I went to a metal railing fabrication place and asked if they would cut the tubes. He said sure. Went into the building to a chop saw with a metal cutting blade. 30 seconds later I had cut tubes. It was about 10 days before Christmas. When I asked how much he said Merry Christmas.

[Beave2012]

For my dedicated drill press I cut the tubes with a Sawzall. Did a decent job then filed down the rough edges. Worked like a charm. BTW, jsburger's still press is awesome, I did the same with a 500. I could never use a 520 for just a drill press, lol.

[jsburger]

For my dedicated drill press I cut the tubes with a Sawzall. Did a decent job then filed down the rough edges. Worked like a charm. BTW, jsburger's still press is awesome, I did the same with a 500. I could never use a 520 for just a drill press, lol.

Hey Beave, that DP didn't start out as a full up 520. The bench tubes were left over from making a shorty (18"). The head stock and leg castings were left over from my 520 MK V to 520 Mk 7 upgrade. All the other parts were purchased on eBay. I patiently waited for nice legs, table carriage and 520 table at a good price. It took a year plus but it looks almost new. BTW, the way tubes are thick wall 10ER tubes.

I did the 520 tables on the shorty and DP to make everything compatible. BTW, the shorty was completely built from parts from eBay except the way tubes. I have 10ER thick wall way tubes on my full up MK 7 and I used the original way tubes for the shorty.

[everettdavis]

We cut some tubes down with a Sawzall, then used the Miter Guage locked in the track and a T-Slot Clamp to hold them on the table then gently sanded them square with the 12" sanding disk, bringing in the quill very lightly to take off material until they were both square.

The extension table was used to support the other end of the tubes.

A couple of passes around with a deburring tool and they were ready to go.

Everett

[reible]

The new tubes are here. Actually they were here yesterday when I got back from the Dr. visit. No way I could move the package since I'm on a 10 pound limit so my poor wife had to drag then off to get them inside before the last night rains arrived. I thought we could cut the package and let her take them one at a time but she didn't want me doing that.....

So I haven't seen them yet. The ebay picture looked like they would only need a light clean up but I've been tricked before.

I'll see if I can get on of my boys to stop over and cut them down, only need to polish the used part of the tubes. Not sure what I'll do with the left overs. Well who knows something interesting might come to mind.

When my mind clears I have check how much money is left in the pot for "new ventures" this year. Dec through Nov. is my year for tool purchases. I know I have to be close to the limit since I got a few extra's this year and no they have not been shared here.

Still haven't got to check to see if I have any of the 504146 Locking Bar for Bench Tubes. If not I will have to get some on order cause those tubes are not going to be holding themselves in place.

Ed

[jsburger]

The new tubes are here. Actually they were here yesterday when I got back from the Dr. visit. No way I could move the package since I'm on a 10 pound limit so my poor wife had to drag then off to get them inside before the last night rains arrived. I thought we could cut the package and let her take them one at a time but she didn't want me doing that.....

So I haven't seen them yet. The ebay picture looked like they would only need a light clean up but I've been tricked before.

I'll see if I can get on of my boys to stop over and cut them down, only need to polish the used part of the tubes. Not sure what I'll do with the left overs. Well who knows something interesting might come to mind.

When my mind clears I have check how much money is left in the pot for "new ventures" this year. Dec through Nov. is my year for tool purchases. I know I have to be close to the limit since I got a few extra's this year and no they have not been shared here.

Still haven't got to check to see if I have any of the 504146 Locking Bar for Bench Tubes. If not I will have to get some on order cause those tubes are not going to be holding themselves in place.

Ed

Yes but fairly expensive from the MS. When I bought my full up Power Pro head stock and double tilt upgrade the double tilt castings did not come with the locking bars. Huh!!. That made the old end castings useless. If you source the locking bars and hardware from SS it is $22.60 plus shipping (what ever that is). Not too bad. The bars are not a bad price but they want $4 each for the bolts (grade 8 bolts aren't even that expensive) and $1 each for the washers.

I bought a set from Bill Mayo for less than half the MS and he cleaned them and blackened them and shipped them.

[reible]

Finally got to open the box of legs and the box of tubes.

I'm really pleased with the tubes. Just a couple of small touch ups needed and not worth the effort of spinning them, they are that nice.

The legs on the other hand are a bit worse off then I hoped for. I'll have to do some wire brushing and touch up before painting. Maybe start tomorrow if the weather holds. Like to get the undercoat on where the minor rust and damaged paint will be coming off.

Still haven't started to collect the other parts I need and figure out what I will have to buy to finish the project.

Could someone with a 18" cut off version tell me the distance between legs if I wanted to add a cabinet below the unit? Math wise it would like 48"-18" or 30" but could I make a 30" wide unit and have it fit?

I see that they are finally having a shopsmith demo in my area at the end of Sept. I had planned on getting a second double tilt but now that they have raised the prices I will have to see what it costs now. Also need to check my "new venture" funds to see what is left in the kitty.

Ed