Thickness Planer with the PowerPro Headstock

[ryanbp01]

Rick- I have a question for you. Have you considered getting a Power stand from Shopsmith and making your planer a standalone machine?
BPR

[rickm808]

All, Great responses! Thanks for confirming that you can mount the Planer on either side of a PP headstock so long as you pay attention to the correct rotation

This has to be the most helpful web forum I've ever found. I may just become a regular here instead of an occasional lurker. I have 40 years of Shopsmith experience so I ought to be able to contribute something. I'm sure I will have more questions as well.

To BPR, yes I have considered a Shopsmith power stand for the Planer but so far I don't use it frequently so I don't mind moving it on and off the Mark V. I store it on a little cart which I just roll over to the Mark V and transfer on to the way tubes. Does it make any sense to try to use the surplus Mark V motor for with the power stand? I like finding uses for surplus stuff.

[JPG]

All, Great responses! Thanks for confirming that you can mount the Planer on either side of a PP headstock so long as you pay attention to the correct rotation

This has to be the most helpful web forum I've ever found. I may just become a regular here instead of an occasional lurker. I have 40 years of Shopsmith experience so I ought to be able to contribute something. I'm sure I will have more questions as well.

To BPR, yes I have considered a Shopsmith power stand for the Planer but so far I don't use it frequently so I don't mind moving it on and off the Mark V. I store it on a little cart which I just roll over to the Mark V and transfer on to the way tubes. Does it make any sense to try to use the surplus Mark V motor for with the power stand? I like finding uses for surplus stuff.

Makes sense to me, but, a '1.75' hp motor would be better!

There be 'mounting' considerations.


With a 'surplus' MV motor, belt tension/length can be varied to create a crude but effective speed control. The floating sheave will regulate 'tension' as usual.

[artlinux]

Forestb, I nearly enjoyed the same knife maintenance experience you did when using the standard left side planer mount location. I did not see any warning in the operations manual (after looking for a planer use section in the Table of Contents) or any indication of a change in mounting practice from earlier practice. No wood contacted the knives but only by good fortune .

This significant change in operating practice warrants a significant statement including a photo to prevent this unnecessary maintenance problem. Dave in SS customer service offered the explanation today that the mounting change was made to improve access to the off switch in case of problems. Such a safety benefit is worth promoting!

Did anyone see a discussion of this new planer mounting location in the manual?

[Jack Wilson]

Good point Forrest.

[JPG]

Good point Forrest.

Caution: Mount planer to the right of the quill with a power pro headstock.

It should be mounted on the safety switch box.

Then fergit it fits on the left!

[forrestb]

but that can only happen if I completely re-do the DC and power cord feeds in my 'shop.' To manage space (and be able to roll away at night for a car) I set up those before the PP to make maximum space for using the table saw, jointer, bandsaw and planer. Planning from the right side would mean getting tangled in those without major change.

Since putting my sign on the headstock, I have not had a recurrence of 'wrong-way Corrigan.'

Before the PP, I plugged the planer into the wall and the headstock into the planer. The on/off switch was right where I stood when feeding. I understand why SS recommends right-hand side planer, but until I figure out a new configuration I will have to rely on pulling the plug from my overhead outlet. That cord is just on the other side of the stock being fed.

And remember, when you go to the out feed side to retrieve stock exiting the planer you are again on the 'wrong' side of the PP power switch.

Just a thought.

Forrest

[billmayo]

[quote="JPG40504"]Makes sense to me, but, a '1.75' hp motor would be better!

There be 'mounting' considerations.]

Thanks JPG for bring back memories of how I used the Shopsmith motors on other non-Shopsmith equipment. I used an idler pulley arrangement that would pull on the belt causing it to go deeper into the motor sheaves and slowing down the speed of the machine that I was using the motor on. I used link belts most of the time. It was a very clean and neat setup for changing speed. I made short bent in "L" brackets from 90 deg "L" brackets to mount the Shopsmith motors. These looks nice and clean too.

[eagle04]

I just installed the PP upgrade. Included with the upgrade instructions are procedures for using the thickness planer with PP. They say to mount the planer on the right side of the headstock, with PP running in reverse. Also recommend the PP be plugged into a separate outlet so the control panel stays powered when the planer feed motor is turned off. Also has instructions for using the dust collector with the planer. I suggest you call Shopsmith to ask if they will send you this supplement.

[rickm808]

I just installed the PP upgrade. Included with the upgrade instructions are procedures for using the thickness planer with PP. They say to mount the planer on the right side of the headstock, with PP running in reverse. Also recommend the PP be plugged into a separate outlet so the control panel stays powered when the planer feed motor is turned off. Also has instructions for using the dust collector with the planer. I suggest you call Shopsmith to ask if they will send you this supplement.

Thanks for the tip eagle04. I don't recall receiving that supplement with my PP upgrade kit so will look into it. By the way upgrading to the PP has proven to be a great decision, significantly increasing my enjoyment using my circa 1974 Mark V with zero issues since I made the conversion.
Rick