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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 10:13 pm
by tom_k/mo
albie wrote:I took a marker and highlighted the "ribs" of the coupler on both ends to help with alignment when I use the coupler. I also added a red stripe on the SPT end so I could tell at a glance which end was which.

Al B
Good idea Al, I'lll have to do that too. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be, that should help.
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 12:10 am
by cincinnati
The hubs are different so the power coupler will only go on one way. The spring end will always go on the headstock side. Designed so when you disconnect it will not stay on the headstock. A coupler on the end of the headstock would fly across the shop is the headstock was powered up.
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:40 am
by charlese
tom_k/mo wrote:Good idea Al, I'lll have to do that too. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be, that should help.
You really don't have to do that Tom. Just feel for the spring. It goes on the headstock side.
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:00 am
by beeg
I have a mark on my coupler, that shows where the spline is. So all I have to do is line up that mark, with the grooves on the power side hub.
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:05 am
by tom_k/mo
cincinnati wrote:The hubs are different so the power coupler will only go on one way. The spring end will always go on the headstock side. Designed so when you disconnect it will not stay on the headstock. A coupler on the end of the headstock would fly across the shop is the headstock was powered up.
Ah, but that's the rub... I MADE it go on the other way... By not knowing that there were 4 and 5 spline sides, I put a 4 spine hub on the quill, and had a 4 spline connector on both ends. That's why it took so much force to get the coupler on. I've definately learned something here...
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 2:46 pm
by SDSSmith
tom_k/mo wrote:Thanks Tim, I bought my SS used (but LIKE new) and am learning as I go. I've seen pics of ShopSmiths for sale on Ebay and Craigsist and some of them had SPTs hung on both ends, I guess it was just for the sale picture. I've learned something.
FWIW, the belt sander can be mounted on the quill end of the headstock. To do this you drive it from the other end of the shaft. Remove the PTO cover (where you can mount your drum sander or drill chuck) and mount the drive hub. You will also have to move the drive hub from the upper headstock accessory drive shaft over to the quill. The older style jigsaws and the compressor can also be mounted to the right of the headstock as the direction of rotation does not matter for these tools.
Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:46 pm
by charlese

Thanks Rob, I was going to try this just to see if it would work, but now I don't have to.