Shopsmith Forums

Hi all. Getting ready to order a few items from the mother ship. I am curious if there are any low cost items that you guys usually stock up on when making a purchase to maximize shipping that you wouldn’t order as a stand-alone. For example...i need a few more sliding t nuts and i may also order the new laminated speed/conversion chart.

Are there other items you guys always stock up on while making an order? I would be curious to check those out and see if they are items i could stock up on as well. Thanks!


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I like to have a spare plastic coupler on-hand.

Always good to have a spare band saw blade or belt for the belt sander... They seem to break at the worst times!

Great suggestions. Keep em coming!


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I agree with the other recommendations but would include any blades you commonly use not just a band saw blade. Also any sanding drum sleeves, disks etc. you use. Get an Abrasive Cleaning Stick to clean up your sanding materials to add extra life to them. If you use the lathe and have ever accidentally dropped the tailstock live center and bent the point it is nice to have a replacement on hand. Part # 501430 @ $5.95 each. It is very handy to have saw blades pre-mounted on their own arbors. Of course keeping extra items on hand will be dependent on your budget.

If you have any SPT's and do not have an extra Power Coupler I highly recommend getting a spare from Shopsmith. The following is is one of the tips I include with ads when I sell restored Shopsmith tools online and why I recommend getting a Shopsmith Coupler.

Shopsmith Tip – Power Couplers

There are several “New Design” Power Couplers available on line for connecting Special Purpose Tools (SPT’s) like the Band Saw, Jointer, Belt Sander, etc. to the Shopsmith. Some say they are stronger than the original Shopsmith Coupler, but consider this, the Power Coupler is like a shear pin in the system connecting the tool to the power source. If a jam occurs during use the Shopsmith Coupler may break but your headstock could avoid being damaged. This is not a design flaw but an intentional safety feature. Shopsmith couplers also include a spring in the headstock end that that does not allow leaving the coupler attached after the Special Purpose Tool is removed. This is to prevent possible injury from a coupler flying off when the machine is turned on. If you are replacing a broken coupler ask yourself, why did my coupler break. I hope you enjoyed this Shopsmith Tip. These tips are the Authors opinions and are not endorsed by RLF Brands, LLC.

Happy Shopping

Thank you!!! I meant to pick up an abrasive cleaning stick and almost forgot. This is exactly why i created this post!


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In the past I have made up lists to pick and choose from depending on the amount of spare money to stay just below the next shipping jump.

I've since found that the amount is often a smaller amount that precludes a lot of nice to have additions mentioned. It does work for a lot of nuts and bolt items. Spare set screws (for me sanding disks seem to lose set screws pretty easily), spare table insert screws, drive pins, and the like.

Also anything on the most frequently order list depending on the equipment you own can be a worth while addition but then cost on these is more like a bump up a level or two in shipping costs.

After the scare of losing shopsmith some years ago I upped my spare parts inventory and in that it was possible that parts would no longer be available from them or take a long time to arrive. I have a spare quill sitting in a box for example, and while I hope to never need it one never knows. Other things like bearings, key stock, and the like can be gotten from other sources but sometimes they might be worth stocking from shopsmith.

I think you get the idea.

Ed