Shopsmith Forums

rogersk wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 7:42 am ...I don't have a digital angle finder, but I do have a magnetic torpedo level. I checked my Model 500 last night and it tilts past center toward the operator when used in the normal SS drill press mode, just as expected. ...

I did the same torpedo level test on the Mark that I previously reported rotated 89.8 degrees per Wixey. As I expected, it tilted slightly toward the operator. Proving nothing. Because my bench tubes were not level. Nor is my garage floor. Nor are any of those measurements quantified. It certainly does not mean that it rotated more than 90 degrees and/or past center. More info was needed to support those conclusions.

I know this number changes with configuration and how things are adjusted, but a random sample gave me a balance point at 72 degrees of rotation (measured, gasp, with the Wixey). If I let it go at 73 degrees it is either going to end up in DP mode or break something. What would be the point of rotating past 90 degrees?

- David

So how about providing that missing 'info'? Both Wixey and spirit levels acceptable.

I dare say the positioning of the headstock(and the table etc. on the other side) has an effect on the '72°' balance(?) angle. Probably the worst case is headstock full up and the table full down and "in". Worst meaning balance angle closer to vertical.

As I recall there has been at least three threads on the subject here at this forum but if you want to do it again by all means go for it.

But, the only accurate way to do so is to have the shopsmith in horizontal position and zero the gauge then go to vertical. There is no way of knowing for sure the bench and way tubes are actually level with each other so you have to use the same set of tubes to measure from. Even this could have some errors if the tubes have even a slight bend in them.

Sometime when I have nothing better to do I will try and search for the lost threads on the subject.

Ed

Here is one from back in 2009:

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3381

More will surface when I have more time.

Ed

Current ?? are why rearranging parts to create a shorty drill press does not go over 90° in a couple of 'examples'?

Wonder what the SS base patents have to say about that angle.

Hear is another thread on the subject:

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=24332

Another related thread:

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=21774

And yet another:

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=9312

There maybe more but I'm off on to other things.

Happy reading!

Ed

I don't have any angle thingies that I trust but based on my level my drill press goes past 90°. I'd guess it was at least 1.5° past 90. The lock has to be positioned in the bottom of the conical hole in order to work and mine fits there fine. The drill press was built from a Greenie needing 1-7/8 bench tubes, the headstock originally was on the 510. I'll try out my other machines eventually but if memory serves the 510 will look the same.

I do think it serves as a safety feature, if the vertical assembly is not locked I think pressure on the quill feed could push the vertical assembly backward and down. The parts must be made to allow the proper positioning but I suppose there could be some castings that were mis-drilled for the hinge pin or just not shaped right. Something is definitely wrong if the locking bolt does not push down on the bottom of the conical hole. If it's not there or the top of the hole the vertical assembly could rock back and forth.

JPG wrote: ↑Wed Sep 08, 2021 2:04 pm So how about providing that missing 'info'? Both Wixey and spirit levels acceptable.

Using a better level and trig, Base end was down 0.163 degrees from level. Using repeated measurements with the Wixey, this Mark measured from 89.8 to 90 degrees, whether I referenced the Bench or Way tube.

I dare say the positioning of the headstock(and the table etc. on the other side) has an effect on the '72°' balance(?) angle. Probably the worst case is headstock full up and the table full down and "in". Worst meaning balance angle closer to vertical.

With the HS full up and table full down/in the balance point was ~75.5 degrees. Don't ask me about the PowerPro unless you want to swing by and help lift it!

I went ahead and tried my factory DT and it rotated 88.6 degrees, measured on way tubes only. My other DT is shop-made so it would be meaningless in this context. I've tried three now and none rotated past 90 degrees. None were genuinely old though. I should have a Greenie Base in my attic but it is seriously hot up there.

- David

Hmmmmmmmmmmm!

I'm out.