Shopsmith Forums

I am thinking of separating the legs by 12 inches for starters. I'll have plenty of bench tube left over if I want to re-do it. Now I need to figure out the safest and most efficient way to perform the surgery without having everything go to pieces on me.

tomsalwasser wrote:I am thinking of separating the legs by 12 inches for starters. I'll have plenty of bench tube left over if I want to re-do it. Now I need to figure out the safest and most efficient way to perform the surgery without having everything go to pieces on me.

Go get 10' of 1 1/2" EMT(thin wall electrical conduit). Easier to cut and less $$ than bench tubes.

Once you determine what length works best, then if ya feel the need, cut the bench tubes. IIWM, I would keep the bench tubes intact for possible later retrofitting.

Excellent idea! Completely reversible.

tomsalwasser wrote:Excellent idea! Completely reversible.

You should make plugs for the ends of the tube so the clamps will not crush the thin tubing.

I wouldn't be surprised if the operator of the shorty in the photo didn't attach the top of the setup to a rafter in some matter.

fredsheldon wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if the operator of the shorty in the photo didn't attach the top of the setup to a rafter in some matter.

Not needed! He is using the tailstock as a counter balance!:D

Many commercially made drill-presses have surprisingly small foot-prints at the base. Granted they are usually cast iron bases but the one shown could be easily ballasted.



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I'm betting the 12 inch spacing will be stable but I can always use a tube of sand for ballast if needed.

This idea interested me, so I picked up a 3 foot cut-off of 1 1/2 inch galvanized pipe, sawed it in half and made a dedicated drill press. there is about 10 1/2 inches of 'way' tube between the legs. It is not at all tippy. You won't need ballast.

I am finding that there seems to be a lot of play in the upright headstock and way tubes when in the drill press position. The play originates in the hinged tailstock end. Is this normal for the Shopsmith?

tc

cranehead wrote:This idea interested me, so I picked up a 3 foot cut-off of 1 1/2 inch galvanized pipe, sawed it in half and made a dedicated drill press. there is about 10 1/2 inches of 'way' tube between the legs. It is not at all tippy. You won't need ballast.

I am finding that there seems to be a lot of play in the upright headstock and way tubes when in the drill press position. The play originates in the hinged tailstock end. Is this normal for the Shopsmith?

tc

Pictures of your creation would be greatly appreciated. Jim