Shopsmith Forums

Not to long ago I acquired a "new in the box" lathe duplicator from 1996. It appears to be the same version that is currently available. The box had been setting some where all these years and didn't look so good. However the parts are indeed new and were still bagged. Everything seems to be there and I'm a happy camper.

I've put it together but have not used it yet. When I pulled all the parts together after the test set up I was surprised how much space they are going to require for storage.

Question (1) How are people storing theirs? (I have very limited space left.)

Next I noticed that the manual shows the old version that appears to have a place to mount the steady rest, this version I have has just a single channel (double slot extrusion).

Question (2) I will need to buy a second channel to mount the duplicator rest providing it mounts to the channel somehow?

Next up is I will be needing a few other cutter profiles. Rather expensive from shopsmith, a lot more then I have been paying else where for inserts. It also appears they do not have a cutter that is like the square but with a slight radius. I rather like that style of cutter if I could find one.

Question (3) Are any of you purchasing cutter from another source to use on the duplicator?

I have a project where I'd like to turn a sphere with major diameters of min 6" to a max of 10". It will be semi-hollow with a spigot on one end and a small area at the other end that will be flat (about an inch or so).

Question (4) What are my chances of being able to make a template to finish to that shape on the duplicator? (Faceplate like use)

Question (5) I see shopsmith sells an older video about the system, worth it or not?

I'll entertain anything else anyone has to share as well in the post especially if it on subject.

Thanks,

Ed

reible wrote:Not to long ago I acquired a "new in the box" lathe duplicator from 1996. It appears to be the same version that is currently available. The box had been setting some where all these years and didn't look so good. However the parts are indeed new and were still bagged. Everything seems to be there and I'm a happy camper.

I've put it together but have not used it yet. When I pulled all the parts together after the test set up I was surprised how much space they are going to require for storage.

Question (1) How are people storing theirs? (I have very limited space left.)

Next I noticed that the manual shows the old version that appears to have a place to mount the steady rest, this version I have has just a single channel (double slot extrusion).

Question (2) I will need to buy a second channel to mount the duplicator rest providing it mounts to the channel somehow?

Next up is I will be needing a few other cutter profiles. Rather expensive from shopsmith, a lot more then I have been paying else where for inserts. It also appears they do not have a cutter that is like the square but with a slight radius. I rather like that style of cutter if I could find one.

Question (3) Are any of you purchasing cutter from another source to use on the duplicator?

I have a project where I'd like to turn a sphere with major diameters of min 6" to a max of 10". It will be semi-hollow with a spigot on one end and a small area at the other end that will be flat (about an inch or so).

Question (4) What are my chances of being able to make a template to finish to that shape on the duplicator? (Faceplate like use)

Question (5) I see shopsmith sells an older video about the system, worth it or not?

I'll entertain anything else anyone has to share as well in the post especially if it on subject.

Thanks,

Ed

Q1 Currently partially disassembled. Smaller 'subassemblies'.

Q2 The second channel comes with the 'steady rest' accessory. Looks like electrical trade hardware.

Q3 Not yet - consideration has occurred - am anxiously awaiting any answers.

Q4 Normal use(page 22?)

Q5 ???

reible wrote:Not to long ago I acquired a "new in the box" lathe duplicator from 1996. It appears to be the same version that is currently available. The box had been setting some where all these years and didn't look so good. However the parts are indeed new and were still bagged. Everything seems to be there and I'm a happy camper.

I've put it together but have not used it yet. When I pulled all the parts together after the test set up I was surprised how much space they are going to require for storage.

Question (1) How are people storing theirs? (I have very limited space left.)

Next I noticed that the manual shows the old version that appears to have a place to mount the steady rest, this version I have has just a single channel (double slot extrusion).

Question (2) I will need to buy a second channel to mount the duplicator rest providing it mounts to the channel somehow?

Next up is I will be needing a few other cutter profiles. Rather expensive from shopsmith, a lot more then I have been paying else where for inserts. It also appears they do not have a cutter that is like the square but with a slight radius. I rather like that style of cutter if I could find one.

Question (3) Are any of you purchasing cutter from another source to use on the duplicator?

I have a project where I'd like to turn a sphere with major diameters of min 6" to a max of 10". It will be semi-hollow with a spigot on one end and a small area at the other end that will be flat (about an inch or so).

Question (4) What are my chances of being able to make a template to finish to that shape on the duplicator? (Faceplate like use)

Question (5) I see shopsmith sells an older video about the system, worth it or not?

I'll entertain anything else anyone has to share as well in the post especially if it on subject.

Thanks,

Ed

The duplicator is a pain to store. You can see all but the cutter/follower parts are in this picture. The cutter/follower are stored in a cabinet.




Regarding the steady rest, you should have a hole below the main rail mounting holes in each support arm. Through these holes go a socket head screw, washer and t-nut to support the extruded rail.

Through my machine acquisitions I have accumulated a sufficient supply of cutters and followers. However, early on I did look at a number of carbide inserts and felt comfortable that I could find an alternate source.

Though not using a faceplate, I have used the duplicator to make rosettes. I turned the original on a screw chuck, then mounted that as my template. Duplicates were then mounted in my 4 jaw chuck for ease and speed. Here is an example of one of the rosettes.



However your example seems to exceed the specs for the duplicator. So out of the box, you may not be able to make your project. Here are the specs as copied from Shopsmith's website, they are:

Maximum length of workpiece...34"
Maximum length of turning...32"
Minimum length of workpiece with standard Cup Center...6-1/4"
Minimum length of workpiece with Live Center and spacer...4-1/4"
Maximum turning diameter from a flat template...8"
Maximum turning diameter from a three dimensional pattern...4"

That said and with the ingenuity you have demonstrated in the past, you might develop 'template risers' and a 'taller follower support bar' that would allow turning larger diameters.

Lastly, I have seen the video and it does a good job of going over the set up and using the duplicator for spindle and faceplate type duplications. If I remember correctly they make a candle stick holder as the example of these modes. I do not know how much SS charges for it, so I do not know if it is worth the money.

JPG40504 wrote:Q1 Currently partially disassembled. Smaller 'subassemblies'.

Did that already but it still takes up a lot of space, do you go so far as removing the legs and bracket from the table? The table and upright brackets are laying about, the rest fits in a box I have.

Q2 The second channel comes with the 'steady rest' accessory. Looks like electrical trade hardware.

That would explain the cost. I checked again and see no indication that they include the channel. Good thing I ask and you knew!

Q3 Not yet - consideration has occurred - am anxiously awaiting any answers.

Q4 Normal use(page 22?)

Q5 ???

Thanks for you comments,

Ed

SDSSmith wrote:The duplicator is a pain to store. You can see all but the cutter/follower parts are in this picture. The cutter/follower are stored in a cabinet.

I like the setup you have for storage. I use to have something like that but then it became a full blown shopsmith again. Hadn't thought about storing the table like that... wonder if I have enough room to do that....

Regarding the steady rest, you should have a hole below the main rail mounting holes in each support arm. Through these holes go a socket head screw, washer and t-nut to support the extruded rail.

Yes on the support arms having holes. So it looks like I should get this addition on my list for purchases next year. This years budget is now all used up, well unless shopsmith puts it on sale then I might bite.

Through my machine acquisitions I have accumulated a sufficient supply of cutters and followers. However, early on I did look at a number of carbide inserts and felt comfortable that I could find an alternate source.

Though not using a faceplate, I have used the duplicator to make rosettes. I turned the original on a screw chuck, then mounted that as my template. Duplicates were then mounted in my 4 jaw chuck for ease and speed. Here is an example of one of the rosettes.

Had not thought about do rosettes that way. That maybe useful if I can remember it, thanks for sharing.

However your example seems to exceed the specs for the duplicator. So out of the box, you may not be able to make your project. Here are the specs as copied from Shopsmith's website, they are:

Maximum length of workpiece...34"
Maximum length of turning...32"
Minimum length of workpiece with standard Cup Center...6-1/4"
Minimum length of workpiece with Live Center and spacer...4-1/4"
Maximum turning diameter from a flat template...8"
Maximum turning diameter from a three dimensional pattern...4"

I looked at those numbers, looks like I may have dug myself a hole to work out of. Perhaps when I get to doing a setup I'll see more clearly what needs to be done to get to 10". Since I've done nothing yet it is hard for me to picture the whole process. I think my head is starting to hurt....

That said and with the ingenuity you have demonstrated in the past, you might develop 'template risers' and a 'taller follower support bar' that would allow turning larger diameters.

Lastly, I have seen the video and it does a good job of going over the set up and using the duplicator for spindle and faceplate type duplications. If I remember correctly they make a candle stick holder as the example of these modes. I do not know how much SS charges for it, so I do not know if it is worth the money.

Your post was very useful, thank you.

Ed

reible wrote:Your post was very useful, thank you.

Ed

I believe the capacities are governed by the position of the template relative to the centeline of the quill and it is the template that limits the 'swing' capacity. Based on that, raising or offsetting the template (and follower) should yield increased capacity

Also had a question related to this thread as to how I could mount the new version of the steady rest on the old version of the lathe duplicator. The new duplicator steady rest is mounted on a solid aluminum track and affixed to the duplicator body by t-nuts. The old version used a 3/8 x 16 hex bolt affixed directly into the body. There's no room to use the t-nuts on the old set up.

I mounted mine high up on the wall using a 2X4 drilled out to accept the table legs. I don't use it often so it's up out of the way. The work really well when you need them. I use carbide bits I bought at Woodcraft that they sell for the Sorby lathe chisel that has the replaceable carbide blades. The screw that holds them on is very similar. On a trip to the fastener store I found a replacement screw that had the same threads as the duplicator but a slightly larger flat head to match the Sorby blades. They make a huge difference.
Paul