Shopsmith Forums

[quote=JPG post_id=307172 time=1678848291 user_id=3922

You will likely be disappointed with the shaft guard. Used to be pot metal. Today is plastic.
[/quote]

I’m happy to report that the shaft cap I received yesterday from Shopsmith was still the original pot metal.

Guess I purchased mine too soon!

So maybe new belt sanders come with plastic but they still have the originals for replacement in stock. I am not sure why plastic is bad as long as it is robust. It is only a guard. The SS saw guard (for example) has been plastic since the MK 5/V came out.

I purchased mine as a replacement part about 4 yrs??? ago.

Plastic in simply less sturdy/durable/perceived quality.

Functionally no problem except possible wear.

I remember when pot metal had not so stellar reputation.

They ain't "pot metal"!

I am glad to hear the Belt Sander Shaft Guard is metal again. To me, plastic using a friction fit into metal will wear more quickly and need replacing much, much sooner.

John,

You said,

The SS saw guard (for example) has been plastic since the MK 5/V came out.

Am I understanding this statement correctly?

_ .
Current Saw Blade Guards are plastic and I believe they offer advantages over the early all metal ones like the first Greenie Guard shown above.

larryhrockisland wrote: Thu Apr 06, 2023 10:53 pm I remember when pot metal had not so stellar reputation.

For sure