Shopsmith Forums

Good morning all:
Newly registered to the forum but have been reading for awhile.
Been wood working all my life and have a shop full of tools. Just finishing a new house w a brand new shop - that is smaller than what I have now!
I know, I know, not too bright! However, this one is much more accessible - been in a wheelchair for a long time.
Have been doing more and more woodturning and love it. My son in law will be getting his grandfathers Delta lathe back - I've been keeping the rust off it for him.
My brother in law has had a Shopsmith for 40 years and says don't buy one. But thats my brother in law so maybe not the best advise....
I am looking at a nice Oneway lathe ($3k) but the idea of a compact machine like the Shopsmith that can also be a good lathe is very interesting.
And as I've read and seen, a Shopsmith is great for re-using the same set-up for multiple tools. Therefore better accuracy.
So, the question is, if you were going to buy a good lathe, would the Shopsmith as a lathe as well as the other tools be considered a "good lathe"?
Sorry for the long post. Would value your thoughts as you people seem to have lots of experience with the tool.
tx, Ed

The question is WHY your BIL says no. He likely has a Mark V 500. For lathe work in a wheel chair I would think a SS would be an advantage IF one reduces the height by modifying the legs/mount. However there is the accessibility restriction the bench tubes would cause.

IF you are restricting your intended use to lathe, perhaps a dedicated lathe would be better.

Then if you intend to utilize the other functions, your upper body strength may become a factor. Some of the parts and pieces are quite heavy(main table).

Tough decision and one that others can not make for you. I would keep my Shopsmith at least until I found that I loved the lathe and it does everything I need to do in the shop. Having said that, please do acknowledge that there is some preparatory woodworking that must be done before you start turning. Without the Shopsmith, do you have the where with all to do that work.

Re-configuring a Shopsmith is also not a real simple task for anyone physically impaired. Believe, I know.

Good Luck with the decision.

If you're looking solely at the lathe functionality and new for either machine, I'd recommend a dedicated lathe. I learned turning on my Shopsmith 500, but had a lot of odd issues other than spindle type turning (bowls, hollow forms) with both ends supported, plus it was noisy. I later bought a Jet midi lathe and have been much more pleased with that.

What doesn't mentioned above, though, regarding pre-lathe wood prep is an area where the Shopsmith really shines as a single tool.

Perhaps you should post your location and see if anyone here is local to you that you could visit and get a better idea of the Shopsmith's strengths and weaknesses.

Ed,

I would tend to agree with your BIL on this one. From your post, you indicate you may be downsizing in going into your new shop. It sounds like you already have a good assortment of tools to begin with, so preparing blanks for turning, etc. can be done on your existing equipment, I assume. I would say that if you can fit the ONEWAY lathe in your new shop then go for it. The ONEWAY lathe has a variable speed inverter drive and can go all the way down to 0RPM. To come close to this on the Shopsmith you would need the PowerPro headstock ($2k) plus speed reducer ($400) plus cost of a new/used Shopsmith ($500-$2000). However, if space is your primary concern, then that is where the Shopsmith can excel. If I wasn't confined to a single garage bay for my shop, I would have definitely gone with standalone tools rather than the Shopsmith.

Lathe height might well be the biggest issue you face. Access and getting positioned to hold tools at the proper angle is not only important for good quality work but also for safety. Nothing worse then having projects ruined or flying off the lathe to get your attention.

If you have access to a shopsmith see how might work for you, the base tubes my well be in the way and the height might be way off for you. I do love my shopsmith(s) but better to have something that works for you then a cool tool that doesn't.

Also visit some tool stores, Rockler, Woodcraft, or other place that might have lathes set up that you can actually get up and close to. See how they might be adjustable for different heights or if they just don't do that. Store personals might have some recommendations for or against certain ones based on their experiences but make sure they are legitimatize for you.

Sure will make a difference what you plan to turn, yes we all would love a big lathe for big bowls but if you are thinking about turning pens that can be a very different story.

My oldest brother spent his life in a wheelchair and he had all his tools on the floor. It worked for him.

Ed

Small space and inclimate weather presents problems in a wheelchair that can seem insurmountable. One guy bought a Rockler Mini Lathe and turned pens in his house to keep turning when shop was not an option. He later installed a large extension to do longer work, still inside his house.

Depending on what you turn most, and using something like the EasyWood carbide mini chisels, for a few hundred dollars you might find something useful and even more comfortable. You can still use the larger lathes in your shop when it's appropriate. You could keep the Mini in the shop during the favorable weather and bring it inside for the winter.

You are an experienced woodworker and have dealt with wheelchair issues for some time. You didn't specifically state what kinds of turning you're doing so it may not be an option for you, but someone else just might find it a solution for them.

Kindest Regards,

Everett

Thank you all gentlemen.
It is a bit tricky in part because most of my tools and workbenches are already modified to the shorter height necessary.
Saw some nice modifications to Shopsmith tools going way back into the 50's so it certainly looks possible. And we have 3 grown boys that are quite capable of the machining and welding if required. Although that can get even more expensive than hiring it out!
You are correct about the prep work as it is even more time consuming than the turning. And I've found out the hard way it requires great precision. Or you get those gaps that almost ruin a turning.....
Maybe that is where the Shopsmith will shine??
Maybe when it gets to be decent weather (2' of snow outside) we'll head down to the city (ugh) and see what these Shopsmiths look like up close. The fella at All In One Tools seemed like a real decent guy.
Thanks for your thoughts!
tx, Ed

Ed,

You mention accuracy and precision in your two posts. It depends on what operation you are using your Shopsmith for, but a Shopsmith by itself isn't necessarily known for high accuracy or precision. This is why owners buy aftermarket systems from companies like Incra to improve on the basic setup. Without knowing what your existing tools are for prep for woodturning, it is difficult for the community here to recommend the Shopsmith as being "better" than what you already own. Please remember that where the Shopsmith excels is in two areas, one being as a compact multifunction tool and second as having a PTO (power take off) that can power a multitude of Shopsmith built accessories, e.g. planer, jointer, bandsaw, scrollsaw, etc., etc. You mentioned you were considering a high end lathe from ONEWAY. I don't know which model you are considering, but from what I know of this company, I don't think a Shopsmith in lathe mode will compare to it. The bearings and overall build quality of the ONEWAY should be superior to the Shopsmith. Not to mention the ONEWAY is built to order and can be customized just for you and your needs.

I am not trying to talk you out of a Shopsmith, or talk you into the ONEWAY lathe. A Shopsmith, like all tools, has limitations. If you pit the best individual tool (tablesaw, drill press, lathe, etc.) from industry against the Shopsmith it will often lose, but the Shopsmith excels at giving a very good feature set in a small footprint. Near perfect for small shops. By the way, if you are considering a Oneway, have you compared other lathes in the same price class to it, e.g. Laguna REVO, Powermatic, etc?

Excellent thinking.
I do have a small mini lathe that I've used for about 20 years. Did some modelling for Volvo on that one. That got me started turning actually.
It has been the bowl and composite ornament turning that has really got me going the last couple of years though.
That and pieces larger in dia. than what the mini lathe will do.
Part of my thinking is that if we get the right set-up, this is something I can do for many more years. If it is awkward, it becomes a little self limiting.
Gotta keep busy!
tx, Ed