My Latest SPT Storage Unit

[dickg1]

It has painfully come to my attention that my SPT's apparently gain significant weight as the years pass. As an example, I don't doubt that my Magna jointer has increased it's weight by at least 20 pounds since I purchased it way back in 1963.

My first concern was where should I store them when not in use. I have copied photos of very clever storage units devised by forum members and mentally adapted them to my situation. Time passed and my SPT's grew even heavier. The first unit that had to be taken care of was my ShopSmith mounted planer. Placed an order for a work stand which was assigned to backorder. After what seemed like a lifetime, it arrived and my planer immediately was mounted and I sighed a breath of relief because that thing was starting to get heavy. Time passes.

I noticed that my band saw was gaining weight. Not only that but lifting the PowerPro headstock to get everything into an operating position was getting to be a strain. Aha, the Lift Assist came to the rescue but I still had to mount the band saw. This is when I decided to get in touch with Bill Mayo. He is an expert with our equipment and he agreed to build a mini frame for me. On it I would mount my band saw and as a bonus my scroll saw on the quill end. I installed my Goldie head stock left over from the PowerPro upgrade and solved two issues. One, lifting those SPT's that were gaining weight daily and two, a place to store them. Indeed, it's rolling storage to boot. Time passes.

It is now March (2016) and it occurred to me that I still had two items to store when not in use. That is when I again got in touch with Bill Mayo. This time, I explained in an e-mail, I would need a complete mini. Bill asked if I would need a reversing motor. Since I intended to mount my jointer and belt sander I indicated that was not necessary.

Just about six weeks later, my wife and I arrived at Bill and Ann's, enjoyed a great afternoon of conversation, lunch at a local eatery, packed up the mini and drove off into the sunset. Bill is recovering from his bypass surgery, exhibits no signs of Alzheimer's, but is currently limiting his shop time. I was surprised to learn that the headstock he rebuilt for me was number 196. He has a record of each one he has rebuilt. Figures he probably will call number 200 the last one. I guess we'll see !!

After setting up the mini and mounting the jointer on the left and belt sander on the quill side, I discovered that the sander configuration would not allow the headstock sufficient movement for installing a coupler between it and the sander or the jointer. Needed another one to two inches. After mentally exploring an alternative or two, I settled on using the hub/spider coupler configuration that Bill Mayo mentioned in a Forum post a while back. I now have those installed and everything works as it should. Again I have rolling storage and am saving my back lifting an SPT. One benefit of the spider solution is that I can leave the headstock permanently connected to the jointer and extend the quill to operate the sander. The sander speed will not adversely affect the jointer, but the jointer speed would tear the sander apart. I have a prominent note where I can't miss it to remind me to retract the quill when I am finished sanding.

Finally, I want to add that our Forum has an extremely qualified and valuable asset in Bill Mayo. He willing shares his extensive knowledge and expertise and both he and his wife Ann are gracious and hospitable hosts. My wife and I are extremely fortunate to have met and shared time with them and hope to continue. Picture follows – no pictures, it didn't happen.