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Complete Rookie - Shopsmith 10ER Lathe/Drill Press

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 12:42 pm
by rayrondini
I picked up a Shopsmith 10ER (Serial ER51036) with various part/accessories, but far from a "complete set." I've tried reading through the forums and documentation and such and... wow! You guys are amazing in the breadth of knowledge and information. But for me, a complete rookie, it's entirely overwhelming :eek:

I'd primarily like to use this 10ER as a lathe and drill press. Is it possible for someone to just point me to the things I'd need to buy to make this dream a reality?

I plan to buy this Spur Drive Center Set (https://www.pennstateind.com/store/LCENTSET.html) and this Spindle Adapter (https://www.pennstateind.com/store/L5818.html) from Penn State for the lathe dream. Do I need a live center for the tailstock? Where do I get one?

For reference: 6 months ago, all I owned was a cordless Black and Decker drill I got for Christmas, and the socket set the bank gave me for free when I opened my first bank account 20 years ago... I only just recently figured out what a headstock and tail stock are. So... be gentle and feel free to assume I know nothing :)
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Re: Complete Rookie - Shopsmith 10ER Lathe/Drill Press

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 7:39 pm
by BobCoates1953
I don't do much spindle turning any more, but when I did I found the SS listed ones ok. IMO You should get item A and C. They don't require any adapters to fit the SS.
Now if you plan to do bowl or vases, that is a whole new ball game.

Bob

Re: Complete Rookie - Shopsmith 10ER Lathe/Drill Press

Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 7:54 pm
by jsburger
Just go on eBay and buy a SS spur drive and live center. They are on there all the time. Once you get into turning you can decide if you want something different.

Re: Complete Rookie - Shopsmith 10ER Lathe/Drill Press

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 10:08 am
by rayrondini
BobCoates1953 wrote: Wed Jul 14, 2021 7:39 pm I don't do much spindle turning any more, but when I did I found the SS listed ones ok. IMO You should get item A and C. They don't require any adapters to fit the SS.
Now if you plan to do bowl or vases, that is a whole new ball game.

Bob
Thanks, Bob! What do you mean by "item A and C"?

Re: Complete Rookie - Shopsmith 10ER Lathe/Drill Press

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 11:02 am
by edma194
He may mean items A and C from the Shopsmith product page for Lathe Centers. C is a live center which will be useful for anything supported at both ends.
https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cat ... enters.htm

They also have 3 3/4" and 6" faceplates:
https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cat ... plates.htm

The tailstock has a Morse 2 taper so for live centers, drill chucks and the like you have a variety of choices from different manufacturers. Shopsmith does have a tailstock arbor with a 5/8" spindle that you can mount a drill chuck on.
https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cat ... arbors.htm

For drilling in general you can use any chuck that will fit on a 5/8" spindle.

Re: Complete Rookie - Shopsmith 10ER Lathe/Drill Press

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 11:13 am
by chapmanruss
rayrondini,

I am not sure what Bob meant by
IMO You should get item A and C.
Don't get the 7 Piece Multi Spur Drive Center Set. It is important to know that the Shopsmith has a 5/8" reverse tapered spindle for the drive side. That is different from what most stand alone lathes have. As John said get a Shopsmith Lathe Drive which is $29.99 new from Shopsmith or a used Shopsmith one. The Tailstock uses a standard #2 Morse Taper so other brands will work. Again as John suggested get a used one or you could buy a new one from Shopsmith. Something to consider is the Live Center has a bearing in it which over time can go bad and be hard to turn. It is not always true but can happen for whatever reason. I have an original Live Center from 1947 or 1948 that still turns great. I have a later one which hardly turns so is not much better than a Lathe Cup Center aka dead center.

For Drill Press use you will simply need a Drill Chuck and any one made for the Shopsmith from 1947 until now will work.

I see Ed has just came in with some of the same information.

Re: Complete Rookie - Shopsmith 10ER Lathe/Drill Press

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 11:31 am
by DLB
I'm not (yet) a Model 10 guy, but isn't there some type of tailstock center in the OP's pic?

Suggestion for OP - Add a photo with all of the parts/accessories you have and let the smart Model 10 folks here tell you what you have.

- David

Re: Complete Rookie - Shopsmith 10ER Lathe/Drill Press

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 11:35 am
by rayrondini
DLB wrote: Thu Jul 15, 2021 11:31 am I'm not (yet) a Model 10 guy, but isn't there some type of tailstock center in the OP's pic?

Suggestion for OP - Add a photo with all of the parts/accessories you have and let the smart Model 10 folks here tell you what you have.

- David
Thanks - I'll do that!

Re: Complete Rookie - Shopsmith 10ER Lathe/Drill Press

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 11:36 am
by rayrondini
chapmanruss wrote: Thu Jul 15, 2021 11:13 am rayrondini,

I am not sure what Bob meant by
IMO You should get item A and C.
Don't get the 7 Piece Multi Spur Drive Center Set. It is important to know that the Shopsmith has a 5/8" reverse tapered spindle for the drive side. That is different from what most stand alone lathes have. As John said get a Shopsmith Lathe Drive which is $29.99 new from Shopsmith or a used Shopsmith one. The Tailstock uses a standard #2 Morse Taper so other brands will work. Again as John suggested get a used one or you could buy a new one from Shopsmith. Something to consider is the Live Center has a bearing in it which over time can go bad and be hard to turn. It is not always true but can happen for whatever reason. I have an original Live Center from 1947 or 1948 that still turns great. I have a later one which hardly turns so is not much better than a Lathe Cup Center aka dead center.

For Drill Press use you will simply need a Drill Chuck and any one made for the Shopsmith from 1947 until now will work.

I see Ed has just came in with some of the same information.
Thanks! Very helpful!

Re: Complete Rookie - Shopsmith 10ER Lathe/Drill Press

Posted: Thu Jul 15, 2021 11:37 am
by rayrondini
edma194 wrote: Thu Jul 15, 2021 11:02 am He may mean items A and C from the Shopsmith product page for Lathe Centers. C is a live center which will be useful for anything supported at both ends.
https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cat ... enters.htm

They also have 3 3/4" and 6" faceplates:
https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cat ... plates.htm

The tailstock has a Morse 2 taper so for live centers, drill chucks and the like you have a variety of choices from different manufacturers. Shopsmith does have a tailstock arbor with a 5/8" spindle that you can mount a drill chuck on.
https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cat ... arbors.htm

For drilling in general you can use any chuck that will fit on a 5/8" spindle.
Thanks, Ed! Very helpful!