Shopsmith Forums

Very nice work, Peter! Could you explain what function the brass plugs in the ends serve.

I needed to center the threaded rods in both ends of each tube. The wood cylinder takes care of the inner ends. The brass plugs protrude into the tubes and are turned slightly smaller on the od than the tubes so the assembly slides into the sockets smoothly. I used brass because I had a piece (used to be a shaft out of a small lobster fishing boat) and it machines easily.......looks good too.

prmindartmouth wrote:I needed to center the threaded rods in both ends of each tube. The wood cylinder takes care of the inner ends. The brass plugs protrude into the tubes and are turned slightly smaller on the od than the tubes so the assembly slides into the sockets smoothly. I used brass because I had a piece (used to be a shaft out of a small lobster fishing boat) and it machines easily.......looks good too.

Duh. I should have thought of that. It does look good!

Regarding Dusty's comment about taking orders, I likely could not compete with Shopsmith. The1rs are about $40 plus shipping. I am an amature machinist at best and took an evening to make mine, so even $65 is not enough to want to make many more of them. Fortunately I am retired and happy hours spent on my hobbies are not counted as an expense.

prmindartmouth wrote: I used brass because I had a piece

Sometimes that is the very best reason...

.