Hello again, hello...

[JPG]

Ah...I think I see now what you're talking about. A little wider shot would have been nice on that picture to be sure, but I should have noticed where the quill wasn't in that picture. So then a shorty might not be quite as useful as I'd initially thought. Certainly the right-hand side could be left set-up as a sander, and that would probably be useful. But I will re-think it a bit. I'm also reviewing the forum archives on threads related to cutting down the tubes.

I guess if a person could come across a belt sander for a reasonable enough price, then it might be worthwhile to simply leave the shorty configured with a belt sander on the left, and then the sanding disk/drum on the other side. It would seem easy enough to swap out a jointer for the belt sander--and then I could just leave the 510/520 configured as a table saw, with the bandsaw on it as well. That could be the "sawing station" I suppose, as those operations might well be done together.

More thought required, perhaps.

Thanks.

TB

I would be inclined to pair the saw with the jointer and let the belt sander trades places with the band saw when required.

Best part is it could be totally rearranged if needed and any SPT mounted on either as needed. Let the task(s) at hand determine the configuration(s). Try that with stand alone stuff. Yes an example of SS 'thinking'.

[jsburger]

Ah...I think I see now what you're talking about. A little wider shot would have been nice on that picture to be sure, but I should have noticed where the quill wasn't in that picture. So then a shorty might not be quite as useful as I'd initially thought. Certainly the right-hand side could be left set-up as a sander, and that would probably be useful. But I will re-think it a bit. I'm also reviewing the forum archives on threads related to cutting down the tubes.

I guess if a person could come across a belt sander for a reasonable enough price, then it might be worthwhile to simply leave the shorty configured with a belt sander on the left, and then the sanding disk/drum on the other side. It would seem easy enough to swap out a jointer for the belt sander--and then I could just leave the 510/520 configured as a table saw, with the bandsaw on it as well. That could be the "sawing station" I suppose, as those operations might well be done together.

More thought required, perhaps.

Thanks.

TB

I would be inclined to pair the saw with the jointer and let the belt sander trades places with the band saw when required.

Best part is it could be totally rearranged if needed and any SPT mounted on either as needed. Let the task(s) at hand determine the configuration(s). Try that with stand alone stuff. Yes an example of SS 'thinking'.

That is pretty much how I would do it also.

I took some measurements of my shorty and my Pro planer. The Pro planer is the same size as the SS mounted planer. It will not fit on my shorty with 18" removed. The planer with the power coupler requires roughly 21" of space from the head stock to the end of the tubes. My shorty only has 10" of space. That means you need almost another 12" which means you can only cut off 6 or 8 inches and still have room for the planer. Hardly worth it. However if you make your greenie a shorty by cutting it down 18" and keep the 520 full size you run the planer on the 520.

[tcbetka]

That is pretty much how I would do it also.

I took some measurements of my shorty and my Pro planer. The Pro planer is the same size as the SS mounted planer. It will not fit on my shorty with 18" removed. The planer with the power coupler requires roughly 21" of space from the head stock to the end of the tubes. My shorty only has 10" of space. That means you need almost another 12" which means you can only cut off 6 or 8 inches and still have room for the planer. Hardly worth it. However if you make your greenie a shorty by cutting it down 18" and keep the 520 full size you run the planer on the 520.

I guess that makes sense. Probably what I would end up doing is just using the SPTs that make a lot of shavings/chips, together. If you're going to make a mess in the garage, then make a mess in the garage. I have a portable dust collector arrangement, but it takes a bit to get things all set up--so it would make sense to be able to move the cars out of the garage...setup the dust collector there...cut the wood...use the jointer...use the planer...and then clean up. So that means leaving the Greenie configured (basically) as a shorty sanding station in the shop, with the caveat that if a band saw operation is required for some smaller work (when you don't want to set up the entire saw for example), then that could be swapped-out with the sander. But pretty much the right side of the shorty would be for sanding.

So then the question is whether or not having a Greenie-based sanding station is more desirable than having table-top (stand-alone) units that can go back under a bench when they're not needed? And then you'd be back to trying to sell the Greenie--and also whether or not a restoration should occur in order to move it.

Decisions, decisions.

TB

[rjent]

That is pretty much how I would do it also.

I took some measurements of my shorty and my Pro planer. The Pro planer is the same size as the SS mounted planer. It will not fit on my shorty with 18" removed. The planer with the power coupler requires roughly 21" of space from the head stock to the end of the tubes. My shorty only has 10" of space. That means you need almost another 12" which means you can only cut off 6 or 8 inches and still have room for the planer. Hardly worth it. However if you make your greenie a shorty by cutting it down 18" and keep the 520 full size you run the planer on the 520.

I guess that makes sense. Probably what I would end up doing is just using the SPTs that make a lot of shavings/chips, together. If you're going to make a mess in the garage, then make a mess in the garage. I have a portable dust collector arrangement, but it takes a bit to get things all set up--so it would make sense to be able to move the cars out of the garage...setup the dust collector there...cut the wood...use the jointer...use the planer...and then clean up. So that means leaving the Greenie configured (basically) as a shorty sanding station in the shop, with the caveat that if a band saw operation is required for some smaller work (when you don't want to set up the entire saw for example), then that could be swapped-out with the sander. But pretty much the right side of the shorty would be for sanding.

So then the question is whether or not having a Greenie-based sanding station is more desirable than having table-top (stand-alone) units that can go back under a bench when they're not needed? And then you'd be back to trying to sell the Greenie--and also whether or not a restoration should occur in order to move it.

Decisions, decisions.

TB

One of the unique and desirable features of the Shopsmith (in most configurations) is the ability to advance the quill for certain jobs. I have gotten so use to sanding parts to exact fit length because you can set a fence and advance the disk to the workpiece. You can't do that with any other disk sander to my knowledge. There is also the conical disk sander that is just beyond description in usefulness. So, IMHO a bench top sander is not even comparable to the features that the shopsmith provides.

I was going to stay out of this ... I really was, but I am of the school that you leave these machines alone. I don't want to get into a debate, but these machines change modes so fast that all of this is kind of redundant. I have a full Mark V 500 set up as a sanding station. I love it that way and very seldom change it, BUT I still have a full 5 function machine at my disposal if needed. Once changed, mounted, cut, etc, you lose much of those functions. If you have room (size of a bicycle remember ), leave it intact and enjoy having double of everything shopsmith.

Just my .02

[tcbetka]

Yeah, but I really don't have the room for two full-sized SS units. If I cut the Greenie down 15-18" or so, it would help a lot. It doesn't sound like a huge savings, but with a limited floor plan I pretty much have to store things around the edges and then wheel it out for use. So if I kept the Greenie, it'd have to be made into a shorty.

I do like what you said about the precision sanding though, to be honest. I hadn't thought of that but I think you have a very good point--especially when it comes to making smaller precision parts for acoustic guitars. That may well be reason enough to keep the thing.

Thanks.

TB

[jsburger]

That is pretty much how I would do it also.

I took some measurements of my shorty and my Pro planer. The Pro planer is the same size as the SS mounted planer. It will not fit on my shorty with 18" removed. The planer with the power coupler requires roughly 21" of space from the head stock to the end of the tubes. My shorty only has 10" of space. That means you need almost another 12" which means you can only cut off 6 or 8 inches and still have room for the planer. Hardly worth it. However if you make your greenie a shorty by cutting it down 18" and keep the 520 full size you run the planer on the 520.

I guess that makes sense. Probably what I would end up doing is just using the SPTs that make a lot of shavings/chips, together. If you're going to make a mess in the garage, then make a mess in the garage. I have a portable dust collector arrangement, but it takes a bit to get things all set up--so it would make sense to be able to move the cars out of the garage...setup the dust collector there...cut the wood...use the jointer...use the planer...and then clean up. So that means leaving the Greenie configured (basically) as a shorty sanding station in the shop, with the caveat that if a band saw operation is required for some smaller work (when you don't want to set up the entire saw for example), then that could be swapped-out with the sander. But pretty much the right side of the shorty would be for sanding.

So then the question is whether or not having a Greenie-based sanding station is more desirable than having table-top (stand-alone) units that can go back under a bench when they're not needed? And then you'd be back to trying to sell the Greenie--and also whether or not a restoration should occur in order to move it.

Decisions, decisions.

TB

One of the unique and desirable features of the Shopsmith (in most configurations) is the ability to advance the quill for certain jobs. I have gotten so use to sanding parts to exact fit length because you can set a fence and advance the disk to the workpiece. You can't do that with any other disk sander to my knowledge. There is also the conical disk sander that is just beyond description in usefulness. So, IMHO a bench top sander is not even comparable to the features that the shopsmith provides.

I was going to stay out of this ... I really was, but I am of the school that you leave these machines alone. I don't want to get into a debate, but these machines change modes so fast that all of this is kind of redundant. I have a full Mark V 500 set up as a sanding station. I love it that way and very seldom change it, BUT I still have a full 5 function machine at my disposal if needed. Once changed, mounted, cut, etc, you lose much of those functions. If you have room (size of a bicycle remember ), leave it intact and enjoy having double of everything shopsmith.

Just my .02

How long ago was the last time you changed it over to something else? I totally agree with you about not removing the full function of the machine. However if you have multiple SS then why not modify them for special functions. Thea is why I made a dedicated drill press and a shorty sanding station along with my full size MK 7. Double of everything is not necessary if you have multiple machines.

[jsburger]

Yeah, but I really don't have the room for two full-sized SS units. If I cut the Greenie down 15-18" or so, it would help a lot. It doesn't sound like a huge savings, but with a limited floor plan I pretty much have to store things around the edges and then wheel it out for use. So if I kept the Greenie, it'd have to be made into a shorty.

I do like what you said about the precision sanding though, to be honest. I hadn't thought of that but I think you have a very good point--especially when it comes to making smaller precision parts for acoustic guitars. That may well be reason enough to keep the thing.

Thanks.

TB

OK, you said the full sized SS could be put in the other side of the garage and be used there when needed. Make the Greenie into a shorty sanding station and then you can run all the SPTs any time you want. The SS will be far superior to any "Bench Top" tools you can buy. Plus you will be able to get replacement parts if it ever breaks.

[cooch366]

image.jpeg (129.67 KiB) Viewed 5528 times

Another option. I'm using a 510 with reverse switching, for a jointer / planer station. I left it full size but removed the carriage. I store my bandsaw on the right side and with the reverse motor, can use it on this machine, or on my mark 7.

[tcbetka]

OK, you said the full sized SS could be put in the other side of the garage and be used there when needed. Make the Greenie into a shorty sanding station and then you can run all the SPTs any time you want. The SS will be far superior to any "Bench Top" tools you can buy. Plus you will be able to get replacement parts if it ever breaks.

I think that might just be the best course of action in this case. A short Greenie in my shop would be a great sanding station--and a person could swap out the belt sander for a band saw, which will (at least in my case) be used more than the table saw/planer/jointer SPTs.

On a related note, I just talked to a local guy who has a jointer for sale--and I'm going to take a look at it in the next day or so. I probably need a belt sander before the jointer, but if it's for sale at a good price...then I might have to disrupt the order of purchases accordingly.

TB

[rjent]

How long ago was the last time you changed it over to something else? I totally agree with you about not removing the full function of the machine. However if you have multiple SS then why not modify them for special functions. Thea is why I made a dedicated drill press and a shorty sanding station along with my full size MK 7. Double of everything is not necessary if you have multiple machines.

I used the 500 as a drill press about a week ago as I had the 10ER doing drum sanding ops and the 7 was set up as a dado machine that I wanted to keep at it's place.

I dunno, I am green at this, but with your bolded statement I could just counter with "why don't you just buy dedicated machines" ....

I mean, from my minds eye, I would rather have (and do have) the flexibility of having potentially three drill presses, three disk sanders, three lathes, three table saws, and three horizontal boring machines at my ready and have the 7 capable of going into it two other router/shaper modes if needed.

I guess it is why I bought shopsmith in the first place, the versatility. Like one member says, "I use shopsmith not in spite of the change overs, but because of them" or something like that. I just like the thought that if one machine needs to be (or it would be easier) left set for a process, use one of the others to augment your process. When you start cutting, you lose that ....

JMHO.