Shopsmith Forums

dusty wrote:... I thought we were trying to set the 90 degrees stops on the main table.without getting a kink in the neck.

Can you really check tonsils with a rectal scope these days? Boy am I glad I had my tonsils removed!:)

We were! And 5 gallon buckets work!
Second question - No!

Actually I think wa2crk's idea is the key. Check the adjustment with the SS in normal position but the table tilted to Drill press mode. You don't have to try to see up under the machine instead you can look down at the adjustment and see what needs to be adjusted. Thanks Bill!

I went back to my old manual and wa2crk's method was the method my manual shows for setup. Makes sense and like I said above everything is in easy sight and you don't have to try to bend over swivel your head 180 degrees, tilt your head back to look through the bifocals and try to make the adjustment.
Ed

charlese wrote:Got Milk? Got a foot stool. orange crate, 5 gallon bucket, small step ladder?? These all work as stools.

One Christmas, I was the fortunate recipient of a mechanics stool. It is height adjustable, has a round padded seat, a round tool/parts tray under the seat, and casters for easy maneuverability. I have enjoyed having it greatly! Knot only is it good when changing the brakes, a tire, or other such work, but I can see that it wood work in the wood shop too!

Seriously - I have found I didn't have to krink or bend, other than sitting down. Just kept my head above the table applied an open ended wrench, by feel, and turned until the engineer's square was flat on the table and flat against the rod/bit. Then secure the lock nuts. It's really easy to do this "trial and error method".

Seriously - I have found I didn't have to krink or bend, other than sitting down. Just kept my head above the table applied an open ended wrench, by feel, and turned until the engineer's square was flat on the table and flat against the rod/bit. Then secure the lock nuts. It's really easy to do this "trial and error method".

To All;
It may be accurate to use a piece of drill rod to check but this will not reveal
any warp in the table. Using the saw blade checks the table for square and flatness over the diameter of the blade. When I checked my table this way it revealed that the left rear of the table (viewed from the operator's position)
was bowed down away from the blade and needed some shims.
Bill

Well, Ill Be ...! Guess the 'saw' method could point out things the square method might miss. Of course it is necessary to check square from many radii around the bit/rod (as close to 360 degrees) as you can. Since the outreach of a 6" engineer's square covers a bit more table than a 10" blade, and there are only the two leveling screws I prefer the square.

[quote="wa2crk"]To All]

OK, I admit it - I am about to lead this discussion "off topic" but I think it is important to do so.

Table Flatness vs Proper Alignment vs Blade Flatness

What's really going on when I can't obtain reasonably precise cuts?

Is it my equipment or is it me? Probably me!! If you are not having alignment problems, this post is not for you but if you can't get your Shopsmith aligned to your satisfaction the solution may be within this thread. Read what Nick has to say very carefully.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=131&highlight=Flat

a1gutterman wrote:One Christmas, I was the fortunate recipient of a mechanics stool. It is height adjustable, has a round padded seat, a round tool/parts tray under the seat, and casters for easy maneuverability. I have enjoyed having it greatly! Knot only is it good when changing the brakes, a tire, or other such work, but I can see that it wood work in the wood shop too!

Tim, I agree wholeheartedly I use my mechanics stool in the shop daily. I love to have the hydraulic lift raise me up and lower me down to a height where I can see. I also use it in my office for filing in the lower drawers. Jim:D

Table Flatness vs Proper Alignment vs Blade Flatness - I was wondering if this was going to come up.



Stools on wheels are excellent. Certainly will save your knees if you don't have anything low to sit on. When I am kneeling down on a knee working low, something clicks and says, "Save yourself and get that stool." Mine isn't pneumatic, but when I am sitting on it, my line of sight is right at the table. Plus, with the wheels, I can move around very easily.