Shopsmith Forums

I should be getting my power pro tomorrow. I don't know if a manual will come with it.
It's a deal and I haven't seen it yet. don't know if it's a rebuilt or new, owner died.

my question is: does it have to be unplugged at the end of the day.

I know with some Jet lathe they tell you to turn off the electricity when done. It has something to do with the electronic read out.
I think it keeps drawing amps and then burns out.

Do you have to do this with the power pro.
thanks

I don't unplug mine. The On and Off buttons on the control panel work as you describe, the electronics are still using power. But on the SS PP there is also the traditional On/Off switch that removes all power from the electronics. If your PP is made from a 'A' or 'B' headstock it will still have the toggle switch, and if it was made from a 'C' headstock it will have the rocker style switch.

One of the hardest habits to change, for me, is turning it Off using the Control Panel rather than the switch... Still working on that.

In case you don't get a manual, it is important to know that if you select any REV speed or any FWD speed greater than 1500 you have to press Confirm after ON. It will ask you. I think you have to Confirm twice for REV AND GT 1500.

- David

I have had my Power Pro (SS built full up head stock) since January 2013. It has never been unplugged. Just remember to turn off the original toggle switch off and you should be fine.

I live near the lightning capitol of the US, Clermont Fl. I try to unplug all devices that I can get to easily and the rest are equipped with surge suppressors to mitigate potential damage. Switch contacts may be open but the space between contacts is very small and can be bridged by lightning, so unplugging is safer when convenient. JMO.
Bill V

I was in the habit of unplugging from the wall when I left the shop...mostly
due to the kids having access to the area unsupervised.

Unplugging your Shopsmith is up to you to decide based on your circumstances. As you see there can be good reasons to unplug it. I turn off the red key safety switch but do leave mine plugged in most of the time. If a lightening storm is expected in my area I do go through the house unplugging non-essential items. In the nearly 34 years I have lived here there has only been one strike near my house. It was about 150 feet from my house striking my neighbors tree right behind their house and jumping to their electrical system damaging quite a few items that were plugged in.

If your Power Pro doesn't come with the manual you could get the Mark 7 manual from Shopsmith. It covers using the Power Pro headstock.

I appreciate all the feedback.
I never unplug anything,( did say that) I was referring stopping the electrically the the control panel, which if it's consistence on with some jet electronic lathe, burns the electronic out.
That was my main concern.
It seems like the on/off switch would take care of that issue, though I don't think SS has that problem from what I been reading.
thanks again

farley wrote:I appreciate all the feedback.
I never unplug anything,( did say that) I was referring stopping the electrically the the control panel, which if it's consistence on with some jet electronic lathe, burns the electronic out.
That was my main concern.
It seems like the on/off switch would take care of that issue, though I don't think SS has that problem from what I been reading.
thanks again

I would say that IF that is a problem with JET lathes, they have a serious design flaw.