Shopsmith Forums

Missed this thread before today but here is a posting I did on my "dead" drive center.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=12594

Ed

I would agree to also check out Penn State Industries. I have bought items for my shopsmith from them and they fit and work fine, for a lot less money too. JMHO.
Tim.

Penn State Industries has not been so good for the things I've purchased, cheap is right but right is better then cheap. I personally stay away from them, way better place to get way better tools.

Ed

Best Wood Tools. at bestwoodtools.com I've been extremely pleased with the items I have purchased from them.

PS Made in the USA.

tenbears wrote:Best Wood Tools. at bestwoodtools.com I've been extremely pleased with the items I have purchased from them.

Yes they are a place I shop too. They have converted the set screw to the shopsmith angle for us, they were nice to work with and now we all have a better product because of that.

Ed

It feels like a lot of time was spent talking about the Live Centers, and not much time talking about the Drive Centers. I just inherited a Shopsmith V and have to admit that I am quite clueless about most of the things it is capable of; I am most interested (at this point in time) with the Lathe, but unfortunately either left the Drive Center, or there was not one. So I am now left looking for one.

Help…. …. Please?

After spending quite a bit of time reading over various posts online, it seems that there are quite a few people who are not fond of the Drive Center that Shopsmith offers. Some of the people earlier in this post commented about PSI and Bestwoodtools, or more specifically about items these companies make that allow the use of other Drive Centers on the Shopsmith.

PSI: http://www.pennstateind.com/store/L5818.html
Best Wood Tools: http://bestwoodtools.stores.yahoo.net/prstspad.html
ADS-650 5/8" Shopsmith 3/4" x 16 TPI $59.95 NA with #2 MT
ADS-651 5/8" Shopsmith 1" x 8 TPI $59.95 NA with #2 MT
ADS-652 5/8" Shopsmith 1-1/4" x 8 TPI $59.95 NA with #2 MT
ADS-653 5/8" Shopsmith 1-1/2" x 8 TPI $59.95 NA with #2 MT
ADS-654 5/8" Shopsmith 33 x 3.5mm $59.95 NA with #2 MT


Are these things (listed above) going to allow the use of the following Drive Centers on the Shopsmith?:
1.) http://bestwoodtools.stores.yahoo.net/tespdrce1.html ???
2.) http://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCENTSET.html ????
3.) http://www.pennstateind.com/mm5/merchan ... ve-centers ?????

Realize the SS drive is 'unique' as far as lathe drive center is concerned.

Most other single purpose lathes have either a morse taper or a threaded spindle.

The Shopsmith has a 5/8" smooth bore spindle(with a tapered flat). Only a drive or adapter with a 5/8" bore(hole) will mate to the spindle.

Most(if not all) the 'adapters' usually provide a male thread that will mount a chuck to a spindle with a different thread/bore etc.

The downside of excessive adapters etc. is the introduction of wobble or runout. For that reason it is best to minimize the number of 'things' between the spindle shaft and the workpiece.

I am not sure why you have the impression that the SS drive center is less than desirable. Most of the 'negative' posts have to do with adapters that are used with chucks.

I think there are 'better' drive centers, but they must mount directly to the SS spindle(have a 5/8" bore and set screw).

For starters I would suggest the SS drive center. Either new from the mother ship or a used one from e-bay etc.

After getting your feet wet then you may decide to get a 'fancier' one.

Just reading posts about the SS Drive Center not holding, and splitting. The impression(s) given were that it split more things than other Drives, and also did not hold as well. BUT this being the internet, I made this post looking for more info (especially given my inexperience).

So if the SS Drive Center is not as horrible as it has been made out to be, then I thank you for the input.

michaelmj11 wrote:Just reading posts about the SS Drive Center not holding, and splitting. The impression(s) given were that it split more things than other Drives, and also did not hold as well. BUT this being the internet, I made this post looking for more info (especially given my inexperience).

So if the SS Drive Center is not as horrible as it has been made out to be, then I thank you for the input.

It is very useful. I have a drive center for my One way Chuck, but grab the SS one unless the chuck is already mounted. It is quick, safe and efficient. Drill a 3/16" or 1/4" short hole in the spindle. Mount and squeeze the spindle with the quill. take the spindle off and make shallow saw cuts on the spur marks, and remount. Takes twice as long to tell it as to do it. I have broken a couple but only due to grain issues,