Mark V Question

[jlpemberton300]

My wife and I set up at many craft shows over the year. We are adding wooden keychains and wooden name plaques to her line. I am shopping for a belt sander, scroll saw, and a drill press to have at our shows to cut the names as they are ordered. I had a ShopSmith many years ago before selling it and purchasing individual tools as I had outgrown the capabilities of the machine.

My question is: "Can both the scroll saw and belt sander (or strip sander) be mounted on the ShopSmith at the same time, different ends, and be running simulateously?" I can't remember if this is a possibility or not. If any one can shed light on this, I would be much appreciative.

Jim
West Alexandria, OH

[Nick]

No. But you can run the scroll saw and horizontal boring machine at the same time. If you can adapt your drilling operations from vertical to horizontal, the machine will work for you. Remember, the table tilts 135 degrees in either position.

With all good wishes,

[jlpemberton300]

Thanks for the idea. I may be able to use it in that configuration. Can the main table be used vertical for drilling, without lifting the rail and head assembly? (I.E. horizontal boring with the table used vertical instead of horizontal). That may work out for me and then just look at the belt/disk sander as a seperate tool or the combination of a Shopsmith belt sander and a Power station.

Thanks,
Jim

[nuhobby]

Jim,

I think you can drill as you mentioned but it's good to have your workpiece clamped to the table when doing so.

Another idea is to get a 510/520 type of machine with T-slots in the miter slots, then you can use the nifty "vice on the table" to hold the workpiece:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... onvise.htm

good luck,

[beeg]

I had a ShopSmith many years ago before selling it and purchasing individual tools as I had outgrown the capabilities of the machine.
Jim
West Alexandria, OH

I find that statement interesting. Would you expand upon that statement?

[jlpemberton300]

I got into working more with thicker (1 1/2 - 2) hardwoods and found that the tablesaw portion was just not living up to my expectations for the thicker materials. I also worked with mitred ends on these pieces and in lengths of 3 to 4 feet and just could not get the materials clamped properly on the tilting table without them sliding on me. (Probably my issue, but that was almost 15 years ago.... and I forget all the things that I had tried to do to eliminate the issues). With the lengths of wood I was working with, I also had similar issues with the 4" jointer. The other functions on the tool were perfect for me.

I am now seriously considering reacquiring a Shopsmith as my projects have changed and I think that I can consolidate my Jet Mini Lathe, all of the craft projects my wife wants me to work on and need tools to travel with me, and the capability for horizontal boring back into my shop. Heck, I may even consider getting rid of my drill press and using the Shopsmith if someone were to offer me a good price for my current floor model......

One of the tools that I had previously owned and dearly miss is the strip sander. I have not found any other version that comes close to the versitility of what the Shopsmith version offered.

Does that answer your question on my comment about why I had outgrown the unit?

Again, thanks for all the feedback.

Jim

[dusty]

jim, I didn't ask the question but the answer is frankly NO. Actually, it sounds more as though your needs have grown right into the Shopsmith.

The Shopsmith will cut some heavy lumber and will do some really heavy cutting but I believe that it was actually designed to do what you are now doing with it.

It is well suited to the regular needs of a day-to-day hobby user and it does an excellent job. I find that when it doesn't work well for me I am either using it wrong or it needs maintenance.

Keep it clean, well lubricated and contact surfaces waxed and it will serve you well.