Shopsmith Forums

Wished shopsmith had an extension kit for the lathe so you could turn a 36 in piece or a baseball bat!

I’ve been experimenting with a few things and this is my latest prototype. I wanted to reach out for ideas or other methods used (if any) and any safety reasons why not. The live center would still be reachable from the tool rest is my general idea. I don’t foresee myself needing to turning something longer than 36 in.

Once I finalize a design I’ll make it out of some hardwood or plywood and use glue and brackets to make it stiffer. I’m planning on making the pieces on my CNC router for accuracy. I appreciate any feedback or ideas.

wanaii,

First welcome to the Shopsmith Forum. The idea of adding some kind of extension has been around for a long time. I have seen ideas for extending the Model 10E or 10ER. Others have come up with different ways of extending the Mark V and mostly for adding just a bit more length like you are seeking. One industrious person used two Mark tools in tandem to make a 10' column which was shown in a YouTube video. The last posting I saw here on the Forum was a metal bracket being made to do pretty much what you are working on, adding just that little extra length. So far your idea looks very functional and as long as it is rigid enough to keep the tailstock from flexing back in the holder it should well.

Using extension table legs and bracket is a great idea for constructing a tailstock extension like that. Extension tables and their components are often available on eBay and Craigs List for reasonable prices. It's not quite as simple to construct the other end that holds the tail stock itself but maybe the Base Arm from an end casting could be integrated into a design.

A nice, simple design that does the job. What is holding the tailstock in the bracket?

A couple of holes and collars???

I remember seeing a post awhile back where someone mounted a tail stick on a wooden shop building post and setup the ShopSmith inline with it.

john_001 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 4:59 pm A nice, simple design that does the job. What is holding the tailstock in the bracket?

Right now nothing. Simple hole the tailstock slide into. Eventually when I make the real jig, it will probably need some set screws to prevent wobbling or being loose. Also I’m trying to make it so that it’s the same height as the actual spot so I don’t have to mess with the collars.

JPG wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 5:36 pm A couple of holes and collars???

Yep

jmoore65 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 5:55 pm I remember seeing a post awhile back where someone mounted a tail stick on a wooden shop building post and setup the ShopSmith inline with it.

Trying to make something that will be repeatable and simple slide in and lock.

Here is another thread on tailstock extensions including this specific one for baseball bat capacity: viewtopic.php?p=271959#p271959

- David