Shopsmith Forums

I just received an email from the SSUG with an interesting thread with an idea new to me. Here it is:

"Here's how I've slowed my shopsmith down when turning large bowls. Find a large pulley (I think I have a 12" one) that fits on the shaft that drives the accessories. Then find a motor that you can hang off the back of bottom rail (you'll need to build a bracket) and mount a small pulley on the motor. Then connect them with a belt and away you go. I think I have mine so it turns around 100 RPM. Could go slower if I wanted to change out the pullies. Just don't forget to pull the main plug on the shopsmith. Dale"

This appears to be something which offers a number of possible solutions to speed control. I'm having a brainstorm with some ideas like DC motors, a reverse option, motor speeds much slower than capable with a Shopsmith speed reducer, etc.

I would like to see a direct drive, but a belt is good as it can function as a clutch; however, there would need a pulley/belt cover. Thoughts?

Tony

I just found it easier to purchase a speed reducer.
BPR

It might work for the lathe but a bracket for the drill press would be a challenge. The added weight would also couse issues with the lift assist unless you removed the other motor. I also like the speed reducer option.

Sounds like this guy does turning only. What a mess, when changing to other functions of the Mark V. A lot of trouble and a lot of hazards connected with this idea. It would probably be better to buy a speed reducer or another brand lathe that will go slow enough......

charlese wrote:Sounds like this guy does turning only. What a mess, when changing to other functions of the Mark V. A lot of trouble and a lot of hazards connected with this idea. It would probably be better to buy a speed reducer or another brand lathe that will go slow enough......

The Shopsmith speed reducer already gets the slowest speed to 100 RPM what how much slower does one need to go

Paul, I really don't know the answer to your question. There are a couple of turners here in the Antelope Valley who have those giant monster lathes that will turn down to 0 rpm, all the way up to a couple of thousand RPM.

charlese wrote:Paul, I really don't know the answer to your question. There are a couple of turners here in the Antelope Valley who have those giant monster lathes that will turn down to 0 rpm, all the way up to a couple of thousand RPM.

Yes but those lathes have much larger swing, some even mount a router on the tool-rest and actually feed a high-speed tool against slow moving wood. I don't know what I could mount on a Shopsmith where 100 RPM was too fast.

Gee! I thought I was agreeing with you! The added motor would pose real problems for uses of the other 4 functions of the Mark V. Besides the rotating of the Mark V motor can't be all that good.

If a guy wanted speeds slower than 100 RPM seems he could use a smaller pulley on the motor and a larger pulley on the Auxillary shaft. Then he could increase speed by rotating the Mark V speed control.

But Why? When the SS speed reducer is available.

charlese wrote:Gee! I thought I was agreeing with you!

I guess we need a smile for agreeing.

I have been reading the series in "Home Shop Machinist" on modifying the Shopsmith for metal work and with trick Nick showed on reversing the speed reducer for use with the bandsaw virtually everything this guy has been doing over 30 years can be done with a stock 520 and a few standard accessories. Of course he started with a machine from the 50's.

Why do you both write "this guy" instead of "Tony"? That does not sound very friendly. He asked a question and no one really was very nice to him.