Shopsmith Forums

Anyone have an opinion on the cons of the speed reducer?

The only one I can think of is that if gives you less of an excuse to get the PowerPro headstock!

I have the Power Pro and I kept my speed reducer. It's nice to have 35 RPM for finishing bowls and such.
Bill V

It doesn't fit on a 10E/R.

In drill-press mode, it adds a bit of drag to the quill action.

You don't get to enjoy that tingle of fear when using a large circle cutter.

I think my main objection is that it doesn't go slow enough. You can turn up to a 14 inch bowl on the SS and for my needs for a bowl that size I like to start at around 100-200 rpm.
Paul

masonsailor2 wrote:I think my main objection is that it doesn't go slow enough. You can turn up to a 14 inch bowl on the SS and for my needs for a bowl that size I like to start at around 100-200 rpm.
Paul

Paul, the SS speed reducer has a 7:1 speed reduction (and a corresponding 7:1 torque increase). So with a conventional headstock cranked all the way down to about 700 spindle RPM, the speed-reducer output shaft is running right around 100 RPM.

I stand corrected. Somehow I always thought they were 2:1 not 7:1. In that case that makes them much more useful. I originally built my version of the speed reducer because they were not available at the time. Has anyone used the speed reducer to turn a large bowl ? Is it as stable as it looks ?
Paul

Very late response to this thread, but hey, I've been working a lot and have not had time for the forum.

Yes, Turning Large Bowls with the speed reducer is very stable. I have done a 12 " bowl and is was great. I wish I had one of my own. I borrowed the one I used.

You can find them on E-Bay from time to time but they go for almost the price of new ones. With no warranty.
Bill V

wa2crk wrote:You can find them on E-Bay from time to time but they go for almost the price of new ones. With no warranty.
Bill V

Which would be why I still don't own my own.