Shopsmith Forums

Does anyone have the MARK V Shaft Guard it looks like a good thing to have but I don't know if it fits older units.

Usually Shopsmith offers upgrades and I have not seen one for this.

Paul- as much as I hate some safety things in this world, that guard makes great sense. I am a lawyer- when I buy a lawnmower, chainsaw and the like, I curse lawyers unto death. I suppose some moron received one with his new ShopSmith and didn't use it. Some claim like the motor should not be "startable" for the first time without the guard. I would snap one up. It is such a sensible design.mt

I have asked about this before. I believe I was told it was not available as a standalone product. Too bad. I searched the shopsmith site for the part number (521889) and came up empty.

Can someone explain the danger of having these shafts exposed? Short of getting loose clothing or long hair caught up in the rotating shafts, I see no danger. Even at full speed, placing your hand/finger/piece of wood/whatever on the shafts at any location, causes no damage.

I never received any with my SS when purchased new. It may be OK but I would have to see the clearance between the guard and the spinning shafts. If someone would get their finger between the shafts and guard they could be injured worse than just bumping a spinning shaft so I see no need for one.

I saw a shaft guard once, as I unpacked and set up a 520 for a demonstration at Lowe's. As I'd never seen a real 520 before, I thought it was for protection in packaging. Then I reasoned it may be for customer/viewer protection from doing dumb things - so left it on. Didn't get to see the demo. so didn't ask what it was for.

I believe this was to comply with some european safety standard but Nick would know. I have broken quite a few of the power couplers over the years. The spring in the headstock end just kicks the broken coupler off the headstock hub and the SPT stops. I would never use a Power Coupler without the spring. Since I remove the belt covers quite often to check belts, the Shaft Guard along with the hubs would add to the time needed to do this task. I see no real safety issue or reason to install the Shaft Guard if you do not have one.

paulmcohen wrote:Does anyone have the MARK V Shaft Guard it looks like a good thing to have but I don't know if it fits older units.

Usually Shopsmith offers upgrades and I have not seen one for this.

That is a new one to me. Never seen one before now.

I've had my MKV a couple of years now, bought new from Shopsmith, and it came already installed on my machines headstock. Never even realized they didn't all come that way.

After I saw one installed on a new 520 at Lowes, I called "Jan" to inquire about them. Yes, they are an item driven by European safety standards.

Thinking about my wifes' long hair, I bought two. But, alas, they are sitting on the shelf. Maybe this thread will have me motivated to install them.

Doc