Shopsmith Forums

squashfest81 wrote:Looks like a great space saving solution. How short, 18 off?

I cut off only 16" and I sometimes wish it had been only 14". Changing modes of operation (vertical to horizontal) produces interference. I then have to go back and relocate or remove items to allow transition. Normally taking off the chuck is all that is needed.

dusty wrote:I guess it wasn't such a brilliant suggestion after all.:rolleyes: How foolish of me to insert my simple thoughts into this thread.

I took your use of 'brilliant' to be 'accurate'(and in jest) because it was less than feasible if going back to horizontal was relevant(reasonable)!!

Your thoughts are neither foolish nor simple!:)



Notice in the pix that preceded my 'brilliant suggestion', the way tubes are already too long to be lowered to horizontal.

dusty wrote:

JPG wrote:Cut the bench tubes only, leave the way tubes full length and this 'problem' goes away.]

Now there is a brilliant suggestion. All that need be determined is how one would have to modify the headrest to go horizontal.

While I ponder this:

I'll keep my Shorty as is and if I need a taller drill press I'll use the full size Mark V.

Dusty, I think your thought of modifying the headrest to go back to horizontal is an excellant thought,using full length way tubes, how functionally useful it would be needs to be determined, maybe a wooden mock up on a full Mark 5 would prove or disprove the viability of this. Maybe when I get the time in a week I can try this Never hurts to DREAM! I am in the process of gathering the parts needed to make a Deputy/Shorty/Mini or what ever to use the left over parts from my last 2 projects. Picking up almost everything on Thursday. Now to decide how short to go.

These bench top MINI Shopsmiths were what I build and sold for many years. You need 40" for the bench top MINI and 48" for the benchtop MINI in the drill press position. Please contact me if interested.

Wouldn't it be cool to have telescoping bench tubes?

billmayo wrote:These bench top MINI Shopsmiths were what I build and sold for many years. You need 40" for the bench top MINI and 48" for the benchtop MINI in the drill press position. Please contact me if interested.

So this short it really isn't good for a drill press, just basically a power station?

I remain completely happy with my "Push-me Pull-me" (Dr. Doolittle reference) drill-press for drilling and all other vertical mode uses. This is an old picture, it now sits on a SS caster set. I have been pleasantly surprised at how stable it is when moving it around. I was a little curious when planning it about stability but it is fine.

I do need to finish my shorty and paint it.
I might even shorten another one.

I love the Shopsmith flexibility...
.

jjbuzard wrote:

billmayo wrote:These bench top MINI Shopsmiths were what I build and sold for many years. You need 40" for the bench top MINI and 48" for the benchtop MINI in the drill press position. Please contact me if interested.

So this short it really isn't good for a drill press, just basically a power station?

The bench top MINI makes an outstanding drill press. You need 48" length of table or bench top space to use the drill press.

Oh, OK no table.

Disappeared from the forum for a bit. Never posted the cut down pic. I decided on 18" and not the 19" I had talked about. Everything fits. Next time it gets pulled apart I'll chop the last inch off.