Shopsmith Forums

Hi there, this looked like a good place to say 'howdy pardner' from the Republic of Texas. I have a Mark VII from at least 20 years ago. Here's my Shopsmith story as background.

Centuries ago, the army taught me to fly, and so I flew. FF about a billion years, and I made a friend, who turned into a close friend and confidant with a Shopsmith in his hangar. Yes, an airplane hangar. I hadn't seen a Shopsmith for a long time and expressed some interest in how and what he used it for. Both of us were long time pilots and mechanics and it developed over many FMBs(frosty malted beverage) that he used the unit to make wood ribs, longerons, struts, and other antique parts for old wooden aircraft. Back in pre-war times, many planes were made from Mahogany, Balsa, Birch, and other specie.

As time progressed, his work on wood airplane parts declined, and so the Shopsmith fell into disuse, and disrepair. Then, the unthinkable happened(no, didn't die), he decided to move. And the Shopsmith was not on the items to be hauled, but was to be sold. There were no others with interest in the tool, and heck, my shop was just up the runway so I gave him a few Sheckles and we rolled it on my trailer.

I think I have just about every and accessory that was ever made for a Shopsmith. There are two large heavy boxed of gadgetry that I can only gawp at and wonder how it will all fit together. Lucky for me, I also have a bunch of binders with a lot of documentation, plus - this wonderful site to use online and get to know my new pal.

Now comes the bad news. I do not, and am not, and will not work on -- wood. By training, I'm an engineer, by avocation I work on metal planes, plastic boats, metal and plastic cars and trucks, and various other materials but I have a unrivaled dislike of the splinter generators(aka - wood). I hope this will not be disqualifying and that I can still use my new tool for some metal working. I already have a hobby lathe, and buffers, polishers, and a grinder, welder, etc. One thing I am missing is a good strong drill press. So - my tool is going to be forced into duty as a metal workers drill press.

Hoping my lack of wood-love will not be held against me here, and if I have a question on setup, or actuation, things will go smoothly.

doc
the woodless wanker

? Not sure there is a question ?

docmirror,

The Shopsmith tools make a great Drill Press and can even drill metal so happily do so. Some Mark V owners have made a dedicated Drill Press out of their tool. You may find the thread from another new member about his Mark VII at the link below interesting. Do learn about using your Mark VII and especially the periodic maintenance needed to keep it running smoothly. It could probably use some lubrication of the pulley sheaves on the motor and idler shafts.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=27698

chapmanruss wrote: Thu Dec 30, 2021 2:56 pm docmirror,

The Shopsmith tools make a great Drill Press and can even drill metal so happily do so. Some Mark V owners have made a dedicated Drill Press out of their tool. You may find the thread from another new member about his Mark VII at the link below interesting. Do learn about using your Mark VII and especially the periodic maintenance needed to keep it running smoothly. It could probably use some lubrication of the pulley sheaves on the motor and idler shafts.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=27698

Excellent link. I have the model pictured in the top on that link. However, the dust coll setup is missing on mine. I plan to open up the headstock and have a look at gen maint and lubrication. So far, the only thing I've done is turn on the motor to check it ran before loading and moving. The prev owner was pretty meticulous in making aircraft parts, so I'm expecting it to just need some cleaning and lube, but will check out the headstock before putting into service.

doc
wood dust makes me sneeze(aaaaaaaachhhhooooooo!)

Hobbyman2 wrote: Thu Dec 30, 2021 1:47 pm ? Not sure there is a question ?

Bee sure. There is not. But, may be in the future.

doc
At least I got sawdust for brains.

docmirror wrote: Thu Dec 30, 2021 3:48 pm

Hobbyman2 wrote: Thu Dec 30, 2021 1:47 pm ? Not sure there is a question ?

Bee sure. There is not. But, may be in the future.

doc
At least I got sawdust for brains.

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Ok
not sure what engineering degree you have , might be a bit more help full if we had a idea as your intentions with the SS , metal and steel are two different trades . with a aluminum deck / table I find it a bit risky to do much welding or weld set up or grinding . jmo

Shopsmiths are excellent drill presses, better than many for working in metal. It has the capabilities of a mill/drill type drill press including horizontal boring mode. If you want to improve on the standard drill press features you can add a speed reducer to get you to down to speeds of around 100RPM, and upgrade to a two-bearing quill that can tolerate much greater radial force on the bearing.

If you like metal aircraft parts, how about propellor spinners? With a two-bearing quill you can set up the Shopsmith in lathe mode to do metal spinning. The 12 inch sanding disk is more effective at grinding metal than typical grinding wheels and you can mount metal cutting circular saw blades and run them at the appropriate speeds.

Hobbyman2 wrote: Thu Dec 30, 2021 4:24 pm
Ok
not sure what engineering degree you have , might be a bit more help full if we had a idea as your intentions with the SS , metal and steel are two different trades . with a aluminum deck / table I find it a bit risky to do much welding or weld set up or grinding . jmo

Yeah, there are limits. I have a small gouge in one of my floating tables from using it to hold metal for a plasma cutter. The cutting arc was meant to only pass across a gap between two tables but I got a bit careless.

edma194 wrote: Thu Dec 30, 2021 4:31 pm

Hobbyman2 wrote: Thu Dec 30, 2021 4:24 pm
Ok
not sure what engineering degree you have , might be a bit more help full if we had a idea as your intentions with the SS , metal and steel are two different trades . with a aluminum deck / table I find it a bit risky to do much welding or weld set up or grinding . jmo

Yeah, there are limits. I have a small gouge in one of my floating tables from using it to hold metal for a plasma cutter. The cutting arc was meant to only pass across a gap between two tables but I got a bit careless.

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It seems like I recall seeing a grinder attachment years ago .

I have a machinist vice that I can mount to the table but only use it with wood , it was my understanding the SS was not meant to cut on a side way operation, maybe I am wrong .