Shopsmith Forums

I got my PP in Jan. like it no problems My question---is it worth the expense to run a 220 line --assume that would be $300+ worth the money?
thoughts appreciated

In my opinion. no.

I will not attempt to answer that. I do not have a PowerPro and therefore am not qualified to respond to that specific question.

However, the list of PowerPro owners on this forum includes very few who have 220vac in their shop. If they were dissatisifed, I am sure the forum would know that.

Don't know the answer to your question, jonesuh! It truly depends on your shop practices.

If I were to spend $300 to make such a change it would have to potentially solve a problem or otherwise benefit me in some way. My PowerPro has served me well on 115 vac. Also since I have multiple outlets, I can move and rotate my Mark V to optimize whatever project and/or operation I'm working on. Don't think I could afford multiple 220 outlets.

Yes, I am curious how 220 vac would work, but not $300 curious.

In my opinion "NO". I have not had a problem even with my old conventional headstock as far as power was concerned. The advantage for me with the PP is the smoothness. I do not think that the PP at 220 would offer any real advantage or power ncrease.
Bill V

I operate my PP primarily on 220 and occasionally on 110. I cannot say that I notice a difference in operation. If the cost to install a 220 line is not in your budget in my opinion you are not losing anything by leaving it on 110.
I use a cheater cord (110 - 220 adapter) which is semi-permanently installed in the 220 outlet since I have no other tools that use 220.

Dick

Sorry force of habit, but prior to retirement I was a mediator for a few years, so I ALWAYS ask questions .

Do you have a project or projects which you believe would need the extra power? Like shaping or cutting large quantities of dense hardwoods....
Are you looking at potential benefits of a 7 amp versus 15 amp machine? If so is the $300 a reasonable economic trade off?

Personally my cost to add the outlet for a 240 receptacle for the Mark 7 was less than $50. Breaker, wire, receptacle and plug. I had no projects which I felt needed the extra HP and wasn't in need of not popping breakers by overloading circuits . I did end up ripping and then cross cutting some 8/4 wenge and orange osage for a friend so used the extra power, just in case but I would guess the 120 version PP head would have done just fine. At $300, I would not have added the outlet. But that is just me.

Just my 2 cents.

Be well,
Ben

I have operated mine at 220 since I got it primarily because I already had 220 in shop. When I first got it I tried it on 110 but it popped the GFI circuit breaker (a known problem) and it was just easier to plug it into the 220 line. I think if you are cutting 2" hardwood as I typically do you would notice the difference. I would put in the nice to have category and do it only if I had no better use for the $300.

Using the 'divide by 2' step regarding current at 230v vs 115v is not valid with this animal. It is far more complicated than that.

The horsepower only increases 1/4 hp from 1.75 to 2.0.

Initially I ran the PP from 120V because it came equipped that way. Since a 240V receptacle was also conveniently available, and I was unhappy with a 240V to 120V cheater cord and its safety implications, I changed the SS 120V cord cap to a 240V configuration to meet electrical code requirements.

Overall I have not had enough PP heavy loading time to see any direct benefit from the 240V power feed. I consider 240V as a prudent choice when available, especially if extension cords are to be considered.

The power pro operation, especially with table saw work, is one of the most outstanding features in my work. The opportunity to upgrade the entire SS machine and pass the older mk 5 on to my son seemed the best of all decisions.