Mounting Base, 505655

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun May 04, 2008 9:14 am

I have been using the Mounting Base, 505655 for nearly as long as I have had a Shopsmith but I have a question about this "so simple" device.

There is a threaded hole in the top center of the base.

What is that for? Does anyone use it for anything?

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/itemfind.htm?item=505655&Submit=Find+Item

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Sun May 04, 2008 11:57 am

It is used to hold a bracket for a cover over the drive belt if you use a homemade stand for the SPT.
Bill

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun May 04, 2008 12:38 pm

Good question, Dusty!

Informative answer, Bill!

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun May 04, 2008 1:46 pm

Bill,

Is that what you use it for---or---what you believe it is designed for?

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:23 am

Dusty;
Shopsmith used to offer a free belt cover to anyone that built their own power stand, but I don't know if they still do.
The SS kit included a "L" shaped metal bracket and a screw to hold the bracket to the mounting foot. The cover was plastic belt cover with a slot and a wing nut to hold the belt cover to the bracket and position it over the belt.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:15 am

wa2crk,

Thank you very much. I appreciate that info. I am running my bandsaw without a belt cover. I am LONG OVERDUE making a correction. At the same time, I am going to incorporate some sort of belt tensioning device.

In my younger years, I could hold the bandsaw at the correct height while I tightened the set screws onto the eccentric. It's now much harder for me to do that.

May you never hear that I waited just a little too long.

You know, it is frightening how many things are getting harder to do than they used to be. I wonder why that is.

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Mon May 05, 2008 10:41 am

Dusty;
A few years ago before I moved to Florida I bought a power stand and a belt sander for $100 through the local free newspaper.
I use the bandsaw more than the belt sander so I put the bandsaw on the stand and use the belt sander on the Mk V when needed.
Try SS customer service and see if the belt cover is still available.
When I mounted the bandsaw I put the mounting tubes in the base and loosened the screws in the bandsaw. The tubes should have a slight offset so they do not go too far into the base. Align the tubes and then snug the set screws in the mount. Use a piece of 1 X 2 as a lever to raise the SPT and tension the belt then tighten the set screws in the SPT. Do not over tighten the V belt.
Shopsmith manuals for the Spt's sometimes contain instructionn for making a belt cover.
If the mounting tubes are straight then you can get some stop collars like the ones used on the lathe tailstock on the tubes to limit how far the SPT drops into the base.
Bill

eldyfig · Post by **eldyfig** » Mon May 05, 2008 11:41 am

wa2crk wrote:Use a piece of 1 X 2 as a lever to raise the SPT and tension the belt...

Sounds like a useful idea.