Shopsmith Forums

I am sure by now you have done research on your water issue but here is a article about the difference between conditioners and softeners , I have been looking for the information I had when we re-done our water lines,, it was a system that removes minerals that cause hard water as well as the chemicals ,,, but to no avail. we went with in line cartridge filters .

I know it was a cartridge type about 3ft long and only around 2 or 2.5 inches dia,,,a very small foot print ,,

not sure what is on the inside of the wall of your garage but this thing had a very small footprint easily hidden inside a small closet ,,,good project for the SS!! It did more then a softener with out the salt and was only around 500.00.

https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com ... er-filter/

Also ,,,,around here any way,,,,if you have a well and ever replace your water tank you need remove the anode rod in the top of the tank and install a brass plug or it will turn the water black and smell like rotten eggs.

I have seen times when the salt actually had bad effects on faucets .

This is not a scientific study by any means ut we have been house hunting in this sub division for over a year. My daughter lives in the same development; house built by the same contractor.

This is the first water softener we have seen. Our water here has not been a problem as long as we have lived here but that tells me nothing about the water on the far south east side of town where we will be.

More research is due, on my part. Is it old or is it new. Is there any sign of corrosion or calcium deposits, etc.

My wife is a sticker for clean and neat. If her dishware becomes other than sparkling clean as a result of my removing this, I will know. Time will tell.

Hard water or no, I don't want to share the space!!!

Hobbyman2 wrote:I am sure by now you have done research on your water issue but here is a article about the difference between conditioners and softeners , I have been looking for the information I had when we re-done our water lines,, it was a system that removes minerals that cause hard water as well as the chemicals ,,, but to no avail. we went with in line cartridge filters .

I know it was a cartridge type about 3ft long and only around 2 or 2.5 inches dia,,,a very small foot print ,,

not sure what is on the inside of the wall of your garage but this thing had a very small footprint easily hidden inside a small closet ,,,good project for the SS!! It did more then a softener with out the salt and was only around 500.00.

https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com ... er-filter/

Also ,,,,around here any way,,,,if you have a well and ever replace your water tank you need remove the anode rod in the top of the tank and install a brass plug or it will turn the water black and smell like rotten eggs.

I have seen times when the salt actually had bad effects on faucets .

Your “conditioner” is an activated carbon filter. It has a finite life span then the cartiridge needs replaced. I have both! We have a well that was pure water then everyone started building and dug their own wells and according to the “well people” the bedrock above the aquapher got cracked and water quality went down.

Oh by the way Dusty the softener you have uses pieces from many sources and gets the name plate of who ever put them together. Usually GE, Whirlpool, Saveright, Morton, and the list goes on.
The important part the control valve is propably made by Fleck(Pentair) or possibly Autotrol or Clack. All are totally rebuildable by owner. Unit is sold many places like Sam’s, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sears and etc.

The three lines are intake, output, and drain. There is also an electrical connection usually low voltage that powers the timer and LCD panel.

Do not forget the thing uses salt which is corrosive so you do not want it in your house proper ( someone suggested putting it in a closet). Moving it outdoors is an option but you need to supply it protection from the elements, namely the sun. Also the top must be accessible to add salt.

Good luck dealing with this.

Your right Ed ,,,,the one we went with ,,actually 2 cartridge filters ,,,with different micron filters , one is a 5 micron looks like rope and the other is a 1 micron carbon filter,,, then the 5 stage RO.
It is my understanding the salt will destroy the membrane in the RO system and clog the filters very fast .
Also turns out city water pressure here isnt realy high enough for the RO to work properly.

Turns out for drinking and coffee we prefer the artesian water that flows from the side of the hill out of a a 90 year old pipe i , I have been told there is no way to get rid of this crap AQUA is now dumping in city water , reports all say it is a breathing hazard.
The long filter I mentioned I remember was not charcoal and I believe you could back flush it .I have looked all over and cant find the literature but they guarantee clear ice cube and spot free dishes .

I don't see the water softener in the later pictures of your shop since you took possession of the property. I am wondering what you did. Did you just remove it or move it and did you determine the condition of the water in this location?

Water quality in this area is excellent. There was never a good reason for installing a water conditioner. When this development was first marketed (2006), water conditioners were installed throughout the development by the developer.

The water conditioner that you saw in the photo was not even operational and was being bypassed by an inline valve. I had the water conditioner (and other appliances) hauled away and the plumbing has been removed.

Great! Good news.

dusty wrote:Water quality in this area is excellent. There was never a good reason for installing a water conditioner. When this development was first marketed (2006), water conditioners were installed throughout the development by the developer.

The water conditioner that you saw in the photo was not even operational and was being bypassed by an inline valve. I had the water conditioner (and other appliances) hauled away and the plumbing has been removed.

Dusty, you're lucky!

Up here, in Mesa, you can smell a glass of
water, across the room.

Water softeners and RO is the name of the
game here.

Best water I've tasted in this state, was at
the Greyhound terminal in Flagstaff.

steve