Interesting ShopSmith Mod...

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:07 pm

Anyone seen THIS mod, or ever done one like it them-self for their ShopSmith? I haven't seen it before on a SS, but I did one similar to it years ago on my father's Craftsman radial arm saw. Ran the cord through the arm, down the back and mounted a small utility box on the underneath side of the table to plug a shop-vac into. It worked real well. This would seem to remove the need for the wireless remote switch Nick used for the dust collector.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 3:41 pm

tom_k/mo wrote:Anyone seen THIS mod, or ever done one like it them-self for their ShopSmith? I haven't seen it before on a SS, but I did one similar to it years ago on my father's Craftsman radial arm saw. Ran the cord through the arm, down the back and mounted a small utility box on the underneath side of the table to plug a shop-vac into. It worked real well. This would seem to remove the need for the wireless remote switch Nick used for the dust collector.

No, I've never seen anything like this; however, it is an interesting modification and an ingenious way to make some money.

If I was going to do something like that, I would not want the wiring running on the outside of the headstock.

rkh2 · Post by **rkh2** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 4:43 pm

My input on this setup is that I don't think it would be of much use, as I often run my DC for awhile after I have been making sawdust and also when using my shopsmith mounted work light, it usually stays on when I shut down machine unless I am done with the SS. Also if you were to plug in any tool, you would have to leave the SS running, which may not be the best thing to do. I have a electrical box I made up with 2 duplex receptacles in it on a cord to a power source which I keep close to my SS if I need additional power while working on the SS. I like the remote I keep in my coveralls or apron to turn on/off my dust collector. That's just my opinion on this item.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 4:47 pm

Seems to me that the wirless remote was CHEAPER.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:03 pm

I have my wireless remote velcroed about the switch on my headstock. Best place I could figure to locate it. I seem to lose stuff in pockets.

The outlet idea is interesting. I believe I either read here or heard in a traveling academy about mounting a switch box on a leg of the shopsmith stand. It has twelve guage wire extension cord from wall to switch box that has two outlets. One is switched (for controlling the power cord for my 520) the other is not switched. Usually I plug in the utility light mounted on the headstock. I have on occassion pugged in my free standing bandsaw or belt sander. No I never run two tools at one time. fjimp

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 6:33 pm

Shopsmith offered just such an accessory for $6.95 when they were owned by Magna. The outlet was also equipped with a lockable switch and mounted under the bench tubes. Alec

Shopsmith Lockable Accessory Outlet

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 7:57 pm

I think what this guy is doing is using one side of the SS switch to control the power to his box. Notice he specifies you must have a SS with a four pole switch.

On most SS that have a 4 pole switch one side of the switch isn't used. So the side not being used can be utilized to switch power to this box. I suspect all that in in this box is line cord coming with one side connected to the aux plug, the other side of the line is then connected to the switch and a return from the switch to the other side of the plug. When you flip the switch to power on the SS you also make the circuit to energize the aux plug.

There is no electronics required or anything magical just a box to hold the plug, a line cord, and 2 short pieces of wire, one to connect line to the SS switch and one to connect the other side of SS switch to the plug.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:22 pm

tom:

With Shopsmith switches being rated for 15 amps, wouldn't running an auxillary, such as a vac or DC lead to early failure of the switch?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:26 pm

[quote="dusty"]No, I've never seen anything like this]

I did a double take on the photos shown in the ebay advertisement and it appears to me that the outlet box is connected with a two wire cord (black and white). This means there would be no ground to the accessory that gets power from that outlet unless it is applied within the box and is dependent upon the contact between the box and the Mark V.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 8:59 pm

dusty wrote:I did a double take on the photos shown in the ebay advertisement and it appears to me that the outlet box is connected with a two wire cord (black and white). This means there would be no ground to the accessory that gets power from that outlet unless it is applied within the box and is dependent upon the contact between the box and the Mark V.

Dusty
I don't know but the ground could be in the line cord that is brought into the box. Ground wouldn't have to go to the switch.

Again don't lose sight of the fact that there is a separate line cord coming into the box that power the aux plug. The only thing this guy is doing is using the unused side of the SS power swithc to control the electricity to the plug.
Here is a real fast and dirty schematic
[ATTACH]3428[/ATTACH]
8Iowa
I think this would work since SS uses one side of the switch and this box uses the other. Neither side would see more amperage than the switch is rated for.