Wood magazine - home shop dust collectors

[dusty]

One horsepower by definition = 1491.39974 watts.

Therefore, if operating on common household power, muscle motors are out of the question.

115 VAC * 15 amps = 1725 watts (power available)

1725/1491.39974 = 1.1566 horsepower available

For market purposes we could up that a little bit.

(120 vac * 20 amps) / 1490 = 1.6107 HP

post script: I have a text book on motors that seems to contradict these numbers. It states that 2 HP = 1492 watts ????

[john]

I found 8iowa's post interesting in that there is a lot of truth in the fact that both some of the tool reviews and much of the advertising in Wood Magazine and others, is devoted to larger machines than most "hobbiests" need. But then again, we live in North America where progress is measured by bigger, more powerful, and more expensive, and just plain more. That's where the advertising is directed, to create a demand for more and bigger machines to replace the units that most people started out with.

I belong to other woodworking forums where the discussions about tools often centers around shops and tools that seem out of this world from my point of view (and pocket book) and I guess the advertsing and reviews are important to these woodworkers. Many are really into production operations either as full time businesses or sidelines but I still like to learn from them and see the fine projects they produce.

In the Shopsmith world, we start out with a fairly expensive and but good and durable machine that needs nothing in the way of upgrading as to size, and power, etc. to do what we started out doing. But we sure can upgrade. And let's face it we all love to do it, especially as our experience and talents grow. The Shopsmith world seems to be more populated by "hobbiests" and that is another reason why I enjoy it and this forum so much.

As to magazines, I subcribe to Wood Magazine, Woodsmith, and Canadian Home Workshop and enjoy them most for the projects, tips, and articles on finishing, etc. The tool reviews are interesting but seldom relative to my needs or budget.

Have Fun!

John

[a1gutterman]

I get ShopNotes. I also tried Wood but my subscription is almost up with no plans to renew. I prefer no advertising.

[Ed in Tampa]

Ed, currently I am getting Fine Woodworking and the American Woodworker, bob

Bob
Again not trying to put you on the spot or to be argumentative but I think both the magazines you list above are guilty of the same thing you find wrong with Wood magazine.

The fact of the matter is I'm not aware of any Wood working magazine that doesn't shun or leave out Shopsmith when it comes to various tool tests.

Again I'm not picking on you or 8Iowa but I think if your going to discontinue your subscription of a magazine because they don't include Shopsmith your going to find yourself cancelling all your woodworking magazine subscriptions.
Ed

[Ed in Tampa]

I get ShopNotes. I also tried Wood but my subscription is almost up with no plans to renew. I prefer no advertising.

A1gutterman
See this is why there is chocolate and vanilla ice cream, I like ads they inform me of what is going on in the craft/industry.

I read woodworking magazines to learn what is going on in woodworking, to see the latest machines, techniques, methods of doing something. Many times an ad will start me down the road of discovery that leads me to a better way of doing something. That better way may or may not (most usually not) include the tool in the ad.

I take every review and test with a huge grain of salt as I often see one magazine go 'gagga' over a tool when another magazine places it on the "avoid" list. Also most tests find their basis in or are oriented toward a production shops where money, time and efficiency is the primary importance not relaxing, having fun and creating something from a non descipt piece of wood is the goal.
Ed

[cincinnati]

Many years ago WOOD did a review of Shopsmith vs Total-shop. Very in-depth article. I also think it was WOOD, also many years ago, had the Shopsmith dust collector in a review.

[a1gutterman]

A1gutterman
See this is why there is chocolate and vanilla ice cream, I like ads they inform me of what is going on in the craft/industry........

Ed

Hi Ed,

I prefer Strawberry:D. Everyone has their own personality, and their own frame of reference. That includes what they like in a magazine. I have several ways to find out about the newest and greatest new tool or procedure, not the least of which is my own 8 years experience in the wholesale tool business (that was nearly 30 years ago). I worked for, what was at the time, the premier tool wholesale supplier in Seattle. I am well connected when it comes to tools and find no good reason to suffer through the ads in the mags. You and many others are welcome to them and like you said, they probably are a good source of info for you. Ads are what keep the mags going; subscribers are what keep the ads coming.

[Greenvilleguy]

Still -- Wouldn't it be nice to see one of the publications do a comparison between Shopsmith and a combination of a contractors saw, a mini lathe and drill press?

While SS might still come out more expensive, it sure would win the durability, versatility, space and upgradability categories.

[paulmcohen]

Still -- Wouldn't it be nice to see one of the publications do a comparison between Shopsmith and a combination of a contractors saw, a mini lathe and drill press?

With the universal tool rest, variable speed without belt changing, super slow with the optional speed reducer plus it large with and length capacity why wouldn't it compare to a full size lathe?

Also the disk sander is included, I don't know of any horizontal boring machines they could use in the comparison so I guess this is the extra you get for the money.

One other rule for the comparison, they get less than 20 square feet after all this is a "home shop".

[popstoyshop]

OK GUYS !

Here we go. (1) I am 67 years old and have been either around, using or owning a SS since the 7th grade.
(2) You're darn right the SS is a very underpowered saw. I have a General contractors saw (the ONLY one with 2 hp.) and what i've gained over the SS is ACCURACY. I've been the mentor for SS with the local woodworker's assoc. for years. I always have a protental SS buyer ask "this thing is 5 tools in one, so what tool is the weakest link." I always saw the saw. It's a tilting table saw not a tilting arbor saw. If you're not cutting 90 degrees to the table you've got a mighty small table.

Now to the standalone machines. There are many folks in out assoc. that have Unisaws in a garage. It is the most central tool to a shop.

I have a 520, (best drill press in woodworking) a Totalshop
now converted to the sanding center. The SS 6 X 48 and 12 disc with the machine cut down to 3 ft. long. I also am the proud owner of a NorthState MP-1 which will be the host to my SS bandsaw & SS heavy duth lathe rest.

The rest of my main tools: Delta midi-lathe, Delta 14 in. bandsaw, Delta 6 in. jointer, Delta radial arm saw, General 10 in. contractor saw, Jet buffer, DeWalt scrollsaw. Fordum system, Delta sharpening center & One-Way Wolvering lathe tool sharpening system, PerformX 16/32 drum sander, and my new toy & pride & joy a Powermatic 15 in. plane with helical head. Portable powder tools you don't even waant to know.

Pop.