Shopsmith Forums

I chased down a craigslist Shopsmith with the intent on making it into a Shorty.

I ended up with a "good" quality unit for $300. The tubes and metal need a little anti-rust TLC, but it seems to run well. I felt like I was getting a good, but not great deal on the machine.

As I was leaving, I asked about "that smaller box over there." The seller indicated that it went with the Shopsmith. I looked, grinned, and loaded it all up.

When I got home, I found that I had a box full of Rockwell Delta shaper bits, and a bunch of other router/shaper stuff, much of it older, but unused. I figure that I can either keep it, or part out the box of "stuff" for more than the $300 that I paid!

If I keep it all, I then need to add the shaper package to the Shopsmith or buy a shaper. I just missed a Rockwell on Craigslist for $175 while I was out of town. Decisions, decisions.....

Now the question... I'd like to cut the unit down to a shorty and mount 2 specialty tools on the ends. What can I put on the quill end, other than the Jigsaw and the sanding disk?? I assume that a new motor is required to make the shaft reverse. I'm suspect those are a bit pricy. There are lots of threads on mini/ shorty's, but I'm having difficulty finding the specific answer.

scooters wrote:I'd like to cut the unit down to a shorty and mount 2 specialty tools on the ends. What can I put on the quill end, other than the Jigsaw and the sanding disk??

The belt sander, grinding wheel... I like to keep a wire wheel and buffing wheel handy.
I once considered making one regular length (or a little longer) but putting two headstocks on it and having room for 4 semi-permanently mounted SPT's. I even thought about putting one of those headstocks on it facing the other way.


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scooters wrote: . . .


Now the question... I'd like to cut the unit down to a shorty and mount 2 specialty tools on the ends. What can I put on the quill end, other than the Jigsaw and the sanding disk?? I assume that a new motor is required to make the shaft reverse. I'm suspect those are a bit pricy. There are lots of threads on mini/ shorty's, but I'm having difficulty finding the specific answer.

Jig saw, Sanding disc, Scroll saw, 6" Belt Sander, 1" strip sander('normal' position when using the lathe tool sharpening attachment), older diaphragm Compressor. And the ancient flexible shaft.


Oh! And the grinding wheel!;):rolleyes::D:D:D:D ETC.

Wouldn't putting the belt sander or strip sander on the quill side of the headstock turn in clockwise instead of counterclockwise, which would make the belts go up instead of down? Seems like this would be less ideal for sanding compared to a belt traveling down behind the sanding table (?) I've never tried it or even really thought about it, so just shooting from the hip here, but seems like you would want the direction of the belt/strip to be heading clockwise to help keep the stock against the table, rather than the force of the belt going the other direction and potentially lifting the stock off of the table? Also seems like tearout on the top edge of the board is a possibility when sanding end grain with the belt traveling this direction (?)

dgale wrote:Wouldn't putting the belt sander or strip sander on the quill side of the headstock turn in clockwise instead of counterclockwise, which would make the belts go up instead of down? Seems like this would be less ideal for sanding compared to a belt traveling down behind the sanding table (?) I've never tried it or even really thought about it, so just shooting from the hip here, but seems like you would want the direction of the belt/strip to be heading clockwise to help keep the stock against the table, rather than the force of the belt going the other direction and potentially lifting the stock off of the table? Also seems like tearout on the top edge of the board is a possibility when sanding end grain with the belt traveling this direction (?)

6" Belt sander has input shaft on both sides, so orientation and rotation direction is the same on either end.

1" strip sander is intended to be run backwards when using the lathe tool sharpening jig.

scooters wrote:Now the question... I'd like to cut the unit down to a shorty and mount 2 specialty tools on the ends. What can I put on the quill end, other than the Jigsaw and the sanding disk?? I assume that a new motor is required to make the shaft reverse. I'm suspect those are a bit pricy. There are lots of threads on mini/ shorty's, but I'm having difficulty finding the specific answer.

I have available rebuilt reversible 1 1/8 Hp motors for just a few dollars more than these motors sell for on Ebay. I also accept trade-ins. Contact me offline if interested in information about these motors or about the MINI or SHORTY Shopsmiths. I specialize in MINI and SHORTY equipment and parts.

If your motor is a GE or AO Smith, you can rewire it to run in either direction.

Information can be found here: https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=12664

If you aren't inclined to do it yourself, I would definitely recommend getting one from Bill.

JPG40504 wrote:6" Belt sander has input shaft on both sides, so orientation and rotation direction is the same on either end.

1" strip sander is intended to be run backwards when using the lathe tool sharpening jig.

I guess I should pay more attention to my belt sander :-)

Great information. I will end up with the belt sander on the quill end and the jointer on the accessory end as the normal configuration. I can swap it out with the jigsaw as needed.

Thanks!!