Lift assist worth trade offs?

[texomawood]

I had an Mk V built in 1979 w/o the lift assist. I never thought I needed the upgrade. Due to the fire I had in my shop this spring I had to replace my Shopsmith, I upgraded to the powerpro headstock and expanded tables. I found it very hard to safely move the unit into the vert. position and lower it. So I added the lift kit and I think it works very well. You do lose some on the lathe but it is worth the trade-off to me. I fine I use my compound miter saw for cutting most angled cuts. The powerpro is definitely more of a handful to lift.
You can always try it and if it doesn't work return it.

[benush26]

Hmmmmm
So it comes down to flipping a coin and choosing red or black while betting on pass or no pass

I did figure out that I can put a RAS in to service for the bevel cuts and that removes the short coming (pun intended) of the table tilt. I guess I'll get the lift and see what can be done if working with the lathe becomes frustrating.

One of the greater determining factors was when considering letting the head stock DOWN. Something I had even thought about until reading the comments.

So the decision is made (at least for me).

Thank you to everyone for all the great ideas and insight!

Ben

[JPG]

Hmmmmm
So it comes down to flipping a coin and choosing red or black while betting on pass or no pass

I did figure out that I can put a RAS in to service for the bevel cuts and that removes the short coming (pun intended) of the table tilt. I guess I'll get the lift and see what can be done if working with the lathe becomes frustrating.

One of the greater determining factors was when considering letting the head stock DOWN. Something I had even thought about until reading the comments.

So the decision is made (at least for me).

Thank you to everyone for all the great ideas and insight!

Ben

'Secret' is do not let go!:D

[robinson46176]

Why would I want to lift one of my ShopSmiths?

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[dusty]

Why would I want to lift one of my ShopSmiths?

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I really can not answer that question!! But then I can not think of a reason why anyone would need two Shopsmiths set up as back-to-back drill presses either.:)

[robinson46176]

I really can not answer that question!! But then I can not think of a reason why anyone would need two Shopsmiths set up as back-to-back drill presses either.:)

Think longer term set-ups on one of them like a mortising attachment or a pattern sanding set-up or even having one sat up as a shaper...


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[beeg]

But then I can not think of a reason why anyone would need two Shopsmiths set up as back-to-back drill presses either.:)

How about. "Because he can."

[JPG]

How about. "Because he can."

Think of it as having both a power station and a crafter's station.

"Too each machine it's own task".

Besides his storage areas are crammed full of 'parts'.

[db5]

I had a shoulder injury in 1998 that has made it very difficult to raise the headstock vertically. I purchased two Toyota (1978 and 1979) jacks from a junk yard (now politically correctly called Auto Recycling Centers). Cost me $5 then and you can probably get one for about the same price as there is NO demand for them.

I told my son he could have one and the jack handle since I don't use it. Got tired of looking for it when I needed it so I configured the jack screw as pictured. This way I can just get a socket and speed wrench from the tool chest and raise it

The second picture shows the jack before I cut grooves in two sides of a nut to wedge it in, clamped it closed with vice grips and packed it with epoxy putty. Note the black lines on the nut.

Third picture shows the bottom so It won't mar the table.

The jack is positioned so the the quill is positioned in the center. It cannot come out. So if you get one take some measurements so you get one the right size.

I put the table all the way to the right, position the jack and push the headstock to the right until it is wedged in the top of the jack. A 1/2 turn on the jack to tighten it and then raise the SS vertically. When jacked up all the way it raises it about 1 ft. Lock the headstock, lower the jack, raise the table and repeat. Yes, it's a 3-5 minute process but is cheap, effective and doesn't create any problems that the lift assist seems to.

[db5]

When the day comes that I need a lift assist, here's what I plan to do...

I'll open the door from the garage to the house and yell "Honey - can you please come out here - I need some help". She's always willing to do what she can.

Why not try this: Open the garage door so that the left side of the SS is positioned under the inside door handle (I'll post pictures if someone wants). Use a strap, cable, rope or even a belt and run it through the door handle and the two way tubes. Then with the garage door opener raise the door. Be sure the wheels are down so the SS will roll as it is raised. I don't need to do this since I already have a solution but it just might work.

No, I don't want any of these in reply.