Shopsmith Forums

Any advantages of a Power Station over a Shop Deputy?

I was looking at this, but I already have a jointer and the parts to make a Shop Deputy.

Any and all advice appreciated.

Mike

Mike907 wrote:Any advantages of a Power Station over a Shop Deputy?

I was looking at this, but I already have a jointer and the parts to make a Shop Deputy.

Any and all advice appreciated.

Mike

The shop deputy is far superior. 'Normal' SPT mounts. Full speed range. More powerful motor. Parts compatibility with Markx.



P.S. Go get it anyway!!!!!! You can sell the excess jointer!!!

Mike907 wrote:Any advantages of a Power Station over a Shop Deputy?

I was looking at this, but I already have a jointer and the parts to make a Shop Deputy.

Any and all advice appreciated.

Mike

I believe the Power Station has a too low max speed to really make use of the joiner. In fact, after I installed a Mark V headstock on a Power Station platform I have, I was very disappointed with its limited ability compared to a MINI or the latest Shop Deputy (MINI with no legs). I see the Power Station only as a Power Stand with a limited speed range. Only one SPT at a time can be mounted. The MINI can have two SPTs mounted and either one powered. I have modified a few 500 main table trunnions so the legs fit in the SPT mounting holes so I can use the 500 main table as a sanding table that I can change the tilt and also can add a saw blade and guards to give the MINI a sawing capability. The modified table makes an excellent extension table for the 500 and this is what I am using on my Mark V Power Station to sharpen joiner and planer knives. Plus you have the full speed range of the Mark V headstock.

Ditto what JPG said. Also, the top speed on a Power Station (3850 RPM) is at the extreme low end of the recommended jointer speed (3900 - 6200 RPM), which will make jointing take longer than necessary. Not the best pairing.

I currently use my PowerStation for my bandsaw. It's dandy for that, but the bandsaw doesn't really need the variable speed. I plan to move the bandsaw to a fixed-speed power stand currently occupied by my jigsaw. Then I'll use the PowerStation for a sanding station, where the variable speed might be useful.

I would buy it. If you do not want/need the jointer you can always part it out. It is true that the Power Station speed is marginal for the jointer but if you don't otherwise have a jointer, IT WORKS. Just feed the stock in slower.

I have two Power Stations and they get used extensively.

The motor, BTW, is worth almost as much as that CL item is selling for.

Be forewarned. The Power Station is a noisy beast and there is little (if anything) that you can do to quiet it (except turn it off).

dusty wrote:I would buy it. If you do not want/need the jointer you can always part it out. It is true that the Power Station speed is marginal for the jointer but if you don't otherwise have a jointer, IT WORKS. Just feed the stock in slower.

I have two Power Stations and they get used extensively.

The motor, BTW, is worth almost as much as that CL item is selling for.

Be forewarned. The Power Station is a noisy beast and there is little (if anything) that you can do to quiet it (except turn it off).

Dusty have you tried belt dressing?

JPG40504 wrote:Dusty have you tried belt dressing?

Yes and it helps some. The speed control mechanism is simply not built to tight specifications and parts move (that I wish did not). If there was less "rattle" in the Power Station it would be a lot nicer.

I really like this Shop Deputy sanding station but I would miss the table and miter slot on the disk sander.

tomsalwasser wrote:I really like this Shop Deputy sanding station but I would miss the table and miter slot on the disk sander.

I can easily see why you like it. It has all the characteristics of a Shopsmith Support Station (SSS). I consider my Shortie (SSSS) to be in the same category. The only significant difference (other than slightly longer tubes) is that the Shortie is on its own legs.

This is definitely a step up from a Power Station.

tomsalwasser wrote:I really like this Shop Deputy sanding station but I would miss the table and miter slot on the disk sander.

That is the very reason I haven't bought one. I want to use my old 500 table for the sanding disk.