Shopsmith Forums

I'm lucky enough to have a second SS in the form of a "Shorty". It works great as a powered base for my disk/belt/strip sanders and band saw. I'd also like to have the capability of using it as a table saw when I'm using my other SS as a drill press, lathe, etc. The existing way tubes are not long enough to accomodate a carriage and collar so I thought I'd look for another set of tubes to cut down. I tried various configurations on the full-size SS and reducing the tubes by just 12" would still save some space (which is quite limited in my shop) and afford me a table saw about 22" x 48" within the span of the base legs. Any experience, guidance or advice on optimum length for the "Shorty" way tubes?

Terry;
You may want to contact Bill Mayo through this forum and ask him about varying way and bench tube lengths. He has made up quite a few of these and he can give you the best advice. However if you do it yourself the bench tubes are 3/4" longer than the way tubes.
Bill V

Try searching the forum using MIDI, MINI or SHORTY and you'll see a variety of options for modifying a Shopsmith.

I trimmed 16" off of the tubes of a Greenie to make a machine that retains all five functions of the Shopsmith. You can mount the table and use the disk sander, and also mount the belt sander or strip sander at the same time which makes a rather nice sanding station. With a belt sander attached you have about 1" of quill feed action for the disk sander. As a lathe it turns a spindle of about 19" and rips about the same on the saw. It's a bit squat for the drill press, but you can still use it for some drilling and you can still use the horizontal boring function.

pennview wrote:Try searching the forum using MIDI, MINI or SHORTY and you'll see a variety of options for modifying a Shopsmith.

I trimmed 16" off of the tubes of a Greenie to make a machine that retains all five functions of the Shopsmith. You can mount the table and use the disk sander, and also mount the belt sander or strip sander at the same time which makes a rather nice sanding station. With a belt sander attached you have about 1" of quill feed action for the disk sander. As a lathe it turns a spindle of about 19" and rips about the same on the saw. It's a bit squat for the drill press, but you can still use it for some drilling and you can still use the horizontal boring function.

I found the 16" (SHORTY) to be be the best option for a shorten Shopsmith that allows all the functions of the basic Shopsmith. The MINI (25 5/8" shorter, no carriage) makes an excellant Power Station replacement for the powering the SPTS. I like to think that adding the reverse capability to the motors for the MINI & SHORTY makes them even a better solution as an additional Shopsmith in any one's shop.

billmayo wrote:I found the 16" (SHORTY) to be be the best option for a shorten Shopsmith that allows all the functions of the basic Shopsmith. The MINI (25 5/8" shorter, no carriage) makes an excellant Power Station replacement for the powering the SPTS. I like to think that adding the reverse capability to the motors for the MINI & SHORTY makes them even a better solution as an additional Shopsmith in any one's shop.

Annnd if made from original 'way' tubes, ya gets the bench tube also with one cut. 52" - 25 5/8" = 26 3/8"

Orrrr if made from original 'bench' tubes, cut em 3/8" longer. 52 3/4" - 26" = 26 3/4".

If 10E/ER tubes, Do NOT cut!:eek:

Waste not, want not.

I think you have answered the question I should have asked. That is "How much can I shorten the SS and maintain use of all the functions?" Thanks for all the excellent information.