Shopsmith Forums

Yes indeed - that would be frightening!

Came across the following 5/8 compatible shaft for a 3/4 hp unit by Elwood : http://www.elwood.com/wyco_30.pdf

Is pretty pricy but at 7 foot long would be a great sculpting tool? Any body think of any reason why this wouldn't be compatable?

bing5 wrote:Came across the following 5/8 compatible shaft for a 3/4 hp unit by Elwood : http://www.elwood.com/wyco_30.pdf

Is pretty pricy but at 7 foot long would be a great sculpting tool? Any body think of any reason why this wouldn't be compatable?

Where is the 5/8" male/female shaft compatibility?

I had not seen this thread before today.

Flexible shafts of significant length CAN be a potential hazard.

They MUST be held securely!

The mad snake describes its action if NOT held at all.

They have a catch 22. If flexible enough to be useful, they are too prone to the mad snake impression. It stiff enough to preclude it, it is difficult to use.

I cannot emphasize the importance of 'secure holding' enough! If you 'lose it', RUN!:D:eek:

P.S. I would recommend the use of a 'deadman' foot switch when using one.(When you run, it shuts the power off)

I tend to agree, this looks like kind of a widow maker to me.

I think perhaps some folks are wrestling with the wrong end of the stick here...
The saw blade was on the Shopsmith just like the saw set up except the saw was sitting vertical (drill press mode). As I recall they made a wood guide for the floor from two boards. The table was in full use. While they no longer recommend that procedure it isn't as dangerous as most seem to see it. You do the same things in saw mode all of the time. I have worked with far more dangerous setups under orders in a factory. On a busy grain and livestock farm we (all farmers) do all manner of things almost every day that would apparently give a great many of you guys a stroke just thinking about it...
Sometimes it absolutely blows my mind at how even though so many of us have so much in common that at times the differences in our life experiences and lifestyles span such a wide chasm.
I have never considered myself a risk taker. I always wear a seat belt (broke out a windshield with my head at 17) and always wear a helmet when on two wheels. I don't get careless with the horses. I am very careful with my chainsaws even though I have used chainsaws for over 50 years. I don't tie rubber bands to my ankles and jump off of bridges. I don't sky dive and I avoid talking back to my wife...
That slightly off-beat SS saw setup is nothing compared to most cuts on a saw-mill and I have a lot of hours on a buzz-saw over the years (one of my riskier activities). I have always just done what needed doing whether it was climbing roofs, felling trees, hanging upside down inside of a combine to weld something or wrestling half a ton of frightened thrashing animal...
I just look at risk as something to be "managed", not avoided at all cost.

JPG40504 wrote:Where is the 5/8" male/female shaft compatibility?

I am assuming that the : Assembly, Coupling; Motor; 550-MP 5/8" I.D. Size, which is illustrated in item c will allow you to attach the shaft to the 5/8" spindle with the two machine screws and that the assembly handpice at the other end will take spindle sanders wire brushes etc..?

Do you think it likely, that having infinatly varible speed will be advantageous in setting a speed that results in less vibrations/mad snake action?

JPG40504 wrote:I had not seen this thread before today.

Flexible shafts of significant length CAN be a potential hazard.

They MUST be held securely!

The mad snake describes its action if NOT held at all.

They have a catch 22. If flexible enough to be useful, they are too prone to the mad snake impression. It stiff enough to preclude it, it is difficult to use.

I cannot emphasize the importance of 'secure holding' enough! If you 'lose it', RUN!:D:eek:

P.S. I would recommend the use of a 'deadman' foot switch when using one.(When you run, it shuts the power off)

Point taken. Is there a major difference between a shopsmith powerplant/unit and the 3/4 hp motors normally used in the comercially available flexible shaft grinders or is transfering that much power to the end of a shaft just generally dangerous/challenging ???

bing5 wrote:Came across the following 5/8 compatible shaft for a 3/4 hp unit by Elwood : http://www.elwood.com/wyco_30.pdf

Is pretty pricey but at 7 foot long would be a great sculpting tool? Any body think of any reason why this wouldn't be compatible?

I sent them an email to try to get an answer. It looks like all of their units will fit the motor end of the Shopsmith but what is not clear is what you get on the hand-piece end and in the applications we are looking at does the HP matter?

Some of the lower HP units are a lot cheaper and are available with shorter shafts.

I took a closer look at the description/drawings, and it appears it does have a female 5/8" connection on the driven end.

The accessory end has a 9/16" threaded fitting. I do not know about adapting it to ss hubs.

The power of the motor is not so much a concern as is the rpm's.