Shopsmith Forums

I am looking to expand and purchase an additional saw blade or two and keep them mounted on arbors for quick changes. (Currently I have the SS combo blade and a Dado set, both on arbors.) I notice that SS sells two saw blade arbors, 5/8" and 1 1/4". The SS web site notes this about them:

"The 1-1/4" arbors are made specifically for Shopsmith brand blades, while the 5/8" version will accept more highly specialized blades that are not available from Shopsmith at this time."

What "more highly specialized" blades require 5/8" blades and is there an advantage to some of them over SS blades?

Thanks!
Rick

I don't know what they are referring to by "the 5/8" version will accept more highly specialized blades that are not available from Shopsmith at this time".

However, if you have any of those and want to use they on the Shopsmith, you most likely need a Shopsmith 5/8" arbor. Its' primary function is to mount blades that have been bored with a 5/8" hole and nothing more.

I have one in my Shop simply because I occasionally have a quality blade that has a 5/8" hole; otherwise, I use Shopsmith blades with the larger hole.

There are blades available from others intended specifically for plywood, veneered woods, and other non-wood materials (plastics, e.g.).

Most of these come pre-drilled for a 5/8ths arbor. Forrest will drill any of theirs for use with a 1&1/4 arbor if you want.

I bought one of the Shopsmith 5/8ths arbors when I switched to Shopsmith because I already owned an expensive Forrest WWII blade that was drilled for a 5/8 arbor.

More recently, I purchased all three of the blades Shopsmith currently offers and I bought the 1&1/4 arbors to go with them. I really like the Shopsmith blades a lot but I gotta say, having an arbor for each blade is great. You don't hesitate to use the correct blade for the job and there's no hassling with unscrewing the arbor from whatever blade might currently be on it.

I have many blades acquired over the years, and all have an arbor attached even though some are seldom used. You will not regret having the arbors/blades 'at the ready'.

This may be be unecessary in your case, but be aware there are '500' and '505-520' versions.

So, if for example, I had a Forrest blade with a 5/8" arbor bore, I should use the 1 1/4" SS arbor? Is that correct?

rmbishow wrote:So, if for example, I had a Forrest blade with a 5/8" arbor bore, I should use the 1 1/4" SS arbor? Is that correct?

NO, I do not think so.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... arbors.htm

The arbor that I believe you should be using, with standard saw blades that have a 5/8" bore, is Shopsmith part number 555608. Now, having said that, I am not certain what model Shopsmith you have.

If you expect to use this type arbor on a Shopsmith Model 500, you be using part number 555321.

dusty wrote:I don't know what they are referring to by "the 5/8" version will accept more highly specialized blades that are not available from Shopsmith at this time".

However, if you have any of those and want to use they on the Shopsmith, you most likely need a Shopsmith 5/8" arbor. Its' primary function is to mount blades that have been bored with a 5/8" hole and nothing more.

I have one in my Shop simply because I occasionally have a quality blade that has a 5/8" hole; otherwise, I use Shopsmith blades with the larger hole.

Blades with different tooth grinds than SS offers, Box Joint blades, plywood blades, etc.

algale wrote:There are blades available from others intended specifically for plywood, veneered woods, and other non-wood materials (plastics, e.g.).

Most of these come pre-drilled for a 5/8ths arbor. Forrest will drill any of theirs for use with a 1&1/4 arbor if you want.

I bought one of the Shopsmith 5/8ths arbors when I switched to Shopsmith because I already owned an expensive Forrest WWII blade that was drilled for a 5/8 arbor.

More recently, I purchased all three of the blades Shopsmith currently offers and I bought the 1&1/4 arbors to go with them. I really like the Shopsmith blades a lot but I gotta say, having an arbor for each blade is great. You don't hesitate to use the correct blade for the job and there's no hassling with unscrewing the arbor from whatever blade might currently be on it.

Exactly!!!

Hmmm? I must admit to some head scratching confusion. If the SS 10" crosscut blade and the Forrest 10" crosscut blade (for example) both have 5/8" bores, why would they require different SS arbors? The SS blades require 1 1/4" (length) arbors. Why wouldn't the Forrest blade use the same SS arbor? What am I missing here?
Thanks!

rmbishow wrote:Hmmm? I must admit to some head scratching confusion. If the SS 10" crosscut blade and the Forrest 10" crosscut blade (for example) both have 5/8" bores, why would they require different SS arbors? The SS blades require 1 1/4" (length) arbors. Why wouldn't the Forrest blade use the same SS arbor? What am I missing here?
Thanks!

Two separate issues. Arbor diameter and arbor length.

As for arbor diameter, all Shopsmith made blades take 1&1/4 diameter arbors. Other manufacturers typically use 5/8ths (including most Forrest blades).

As for arbor length, the newer model Shopsmiths (Mark 7, Mark 5 Models 520 & 510) require a longer length arbor.


Older model Shopsmiths used a shorter arbor.