Shopsmith Forums

Don't know how I missed this one. I usually read this blog. Found it while looking for set screws. Google search turns up some surprises.

A Shop Smith Arbor That Fixes Ripping Headaches

I question the SS CS being hesitant to divulge the existence of a 5/8" arbor comment!

I believe the original reason for the 1 1/4" arbor hole was so the blade could be mounted closer to the headstock and placed 'over' the shaft to minimize run out effect(wobble). Not to be confused with blade stability(warping) which is also 'improved' with a larger arbor.

It really is 'sad' that SS owners are out there that are not aware of what's what!:(

I've been using the 5/8" arbor for a lot of years. I had "swapped" over very early on in my shopsmith life, let's say that was when I stopped using steel blades. In the carbide age I've only had two shopsmith blades and both underwhelmed to the point I tossed them (both lost teeth and have been the only blades that I've owned that did that (back in the '80s)).

Even back in the steel days I could not see any difference in cuts from either arbor. If you can't see it then does it exist? I've also used blade stiffeners but modern blades don't seem to need them. My last blades are all from Infinity and are so quiet and extremely stable that when I do need replacements or add ons it will be more of these.

I have no blades mounted on anything other then 5/8" arbors. It works for me.

In the catalog days and even the email sales the 5/8" arbors are there to be seen and I know I've posted about them here so unless they are pretty isolated I would think most owners know about them. Of course some owners don't seem to know that shopsmith still exists....

Does make me wish for a new catalog of all things shopsmith again.

Ed

I bought mine many years ago and I think I may have got it from Shop Smith. I have the other one for the bi holed blade but never use it. I was at a sale a while back and there were some new Shop Smith blade in a package that had never been used and they could not get a bid on them still kicking my self over that one.