Shopsmith Forums

Hi folks, is there a chart of some kind that shows approximate RPM’s at various settings on the speed dial?
Thanks!

My machine has a decal stuck on the head that lists suggested speeds for lathe turning. It lists speeds for the letters from A through G, but not past there as the higher speeds are not used for lathe work.

Also, I found this picture in one of the old threads on this site.

The Speed Charts are in the old Mark 5 Manuals Everett has restored for us. Those Speed Charts do predate some of the SPT's and only give the recommended Letter Speed. You can find them there on his google drive with other restored documents as mentioned before. The Link John gave for purchasing a Chart includes a Speed Conversion Chart (letter to RPM) in it and is 4 pages with additional information tables. Gary's picture of a Chart shows the RPM with the Dial Letter for different functions.

Are the speeds listed in the printed charts the same that's programmed into the PowerPro?
Thanks

I've never actually compared them. As things have changed over the years in how blades, bits and cutters are made I would guess even the charts may have changed but I have not actually spent the time comparing them either.

The programmed speeds in the PowerPro match the new chart, and are close to the old chart for most things but differ in others, particularly the belt sander.

Here is a previous thread about this:

https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/begi ... 5-s20.html

Mike

chapmanruss wrote:I've never actually compared them. As things have changed over the years in how blades, bits and cutters are made I would guess even the charts may have changed but I have not actually spent the time comparing them either.

The same here. I have not compared either. However, i will say I suspect SS used the speeds they recommended at the time the Power Pro was developed for the Power Pro software. I can't think of any reason why they would change for the Power Pro over the Reeves drive head stock. Speed is speed regardless of the power source.

The Power Pro Chart is great to have. I'm just starting to use the PP but I figured there would be plenty of info in this forum if there was anything wrong with the speeds it provides. For metal working I'll go back to the machinist's handbook and for plastics it's always been work it out yourself.