New Shopsmith Upgrade--Double Tilt Base

Collector · Post by **Collector** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 5:05 pm

Hello All:

I see there is a current special, the Double Tilt Base, for only $289!
BTW, this seems to be the regular price, or am I wrong? $289 is a lot of money.

I'm interested in adding this tilt-either-way feature to my shop in connection with my planned purchase of the PowerPro headstock, but I'd like your thoughts. Do the new Double Tilt Bases work well overall? How high do they put the table, higher or lower than the older Mark VII or the current Mark V (in the headstock overhead position) do? Or would one be better off, that is, would one come out with a lower table and fuller wallet by just swapping the PowerPro headstock onto an old Mark VII for use as a dedicated router/shaper station? I have an old Mark VII with a bum headstock and no casters.

Your thoughts, please.

Thanks,
Collector

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 5:47 pm

I personally think that the price is a bit pricey as was(is) the cost of the PowerPro headstock. Therefore, I don't have either. But if you want or need those parts, Shopsmith is the only place you can get them.

The laws of supply and demand prevail and Shopsmith can name their price. We get no vote.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/specials/7DU138.htm

chucks · Post by **chucks** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:07 pm

Pricey? Compared to what? I don't know about such things. I just think that the ability to tilt both directions is awesome, especially if you can reverse the motor's rotation as well. When this first came out, I looked at it carefully, than found a Mark VII for basically the same price. Decided to go that route. I'm going to play with what I have and evaluate if I need the upgrade on my other Mark V's. (Along with the Power Pro option of course!) I'm hoping for some day's with under 100* Temps so i can get into the shop!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:34 pm

There are other 'options'.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=7521

The Mark 7 and a Mark 5/V will be the same height when raised.

The Mark VII will be lower when raised due to the pivot point being in from the end(s).

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 8:06 pm

I went ahead and purchased this upgrade last spring but haven't yet installed it. I plan to do so in a couple of weeks. I plan on taking my headstock to Dayton and have it converted over to the Powerpro technology next summer. I should have the money for that saved up by then.
BPR

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:02 pm

ryanbp01 wrote:I went ahead and purchased this upgrade last spring but haven't yet installed it. I plan to do so in a couple of weeks. I plan on taking my headstock to Dayton and have it converted over to the Powerpro technology next summer. I should have the money for that saved up by then.
BPR

The DIY upgrade is really very simple it just takes time, the instructions are excellent and it seems very forgiving of minor mistakes.

I have some tips if you decide to try it, the slowest part is enlarging the hole for the new power cord location and there are easier ways then described in the instructions. Also note that the DVD and written instructions are not the same.

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Sun Sep 04, 2011 9:14 pm

Collector wrote:Hello All:

I see there is a current special, the Double Tilt Base, for only $289!
BTW, this seems to be the regular price, or am I wrong? $289 is a lot of money.

Your thoughts, please.

Thanks,
Collector

If you need a 2 HP shaper $289 (plus the fence...) is very cheap for one. If you don't need a shaper I don't see the use and even for free I would not take the trouble to install it.

What i would like to see is a kit with the double tilt upgrade, and shaper accessories (fence, arbor, shield, bearings...) with some discount. What I don't want is a bunch of shaper cutters I will never use.