Shopsmith Forums

I am rebuilding a 1991 Model 510. I just received two new bench tubes from Shopsmith and they are constructed differently than the old ones. See photo of new bench tube I received below. The new ones have a thinner wall, are much smoother on the exterior surface, and have steel inserts pressed in on each end. Three questions:

1) I am also thinking about ordering new way tubes. Are the new way tubes constructed the same as the bench tubes I received?
2) How long has this newer style bench tube been in-use?
3) Has anyone cut these newer tubes to make a shorty? Those insert looks like they would be a pain to deal with.

DavidMcM wrote: Mon Feb 07, 2022 7:47 pm I am rebuilding a 1991 Model 510. I just received two new bench tubes from Shopsmith and they are constructed differently than the old ones. See photo of new bench tube I received below. The new ones have a thinner wall, are much smoother on the exterior surface, and have steel inserts pressed in on each end. Three questions:

1) I am also thinking about ordering new way tubes. Are the new way tubes constructed the same as the bench tubes I received?
2) How long has this newer style bench tube been in-use?
3) Has anyone cut these newer tubes to make a shorty? Those insert looks like they would be a pain to deal with.

Wow! Thank you for sharing. First I've heard of a change. I would guess, or maybe it's hope, that the way tubes are unchanged. Seems like the headstock and carriage locks could distort the thin tubes. But I would confirm with SS CS before ordering. For making a shorty perhaps the inserts could be pulled with a slide hammer. I wouldn't use them though, my 520 shorty is already at the edge of acceptable stability to me in DP mode. It definitely does not need to be lighter.

I'm not sold on the idea of a lighter and potentially weaker 'bench.'

- David

SS tubes are 1/16" thick. That is 0.0625. The OP says 0.05. Pretty close IMO. How can you accurately measure the wall thickness with the insert in place?

jsburger wrote: Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:14 pm SS tubes are 1/16" thick. That is 0.0625. The OP says 0.05. Pretty close IMO. How can you accurately measure the wall thickness with the insert in place?

Last SS tubes I cut were .120, 11 gauge. I'm pretty sure I cut both bench and way tubes and they were the same. You might be thinking of table extension tubes.(?) I think 1/16" is standard for those.

- David

Below is a photo of the part # on the tube which matches the bench tube part number. The tubes are 1-3/4" OD X 52-3/4 L. The slot in the tube insert allowed me to get my caliper blades in to measure the wall thickness. Could be a bit off but looks way closer to .05" than .06"

I am curious how far into the tube the inserts project. Not knowing anything better, I assume they are to prevent the tubes collapsing when the clamps are tightened.

They might as well use EMT.

I am going to guess 2”. You can see the end of the insert inside the tube

Without a headstock sliding on it all the stresses on the bench tubes will concentrate on the ends. I'm sure it's strong enough, at least in the sense of not buckling. However, as already noted it will be lighter which affects stability and vibration damping, and some custom accessories made to sit on the bench tubes may be affected. I recall reading here that some turners lay bags of sand on the bench tubes to stabilize the machine, I would be very concerned about leaving such weight bearing on the center of the bench tubes.

If you're making a shorty I'd suggest find some used 'classic' bench and way tubes to cut to size (if you're here in New England contact me, I have plenty) or just use EMT.

DLB wrote: Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:39 pm

jsburger wrote: Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:14 pm SS tubes are 1/16" thick. That is 0.0625. The OP says 0.05. Pretty close IMO. How can you accurately measure the wall thickness with the insert in place?

Last SS tubes I cut were .120, 11 gauge. I'm pretty sure I cut both bench and way tubes and they were the same. You might be thinking of table extension tubes.(?) I think 1/16" is standard for those.

- David

Yes, Ooops. I meant 1/8" not 1/16".

I wonder is the mothership is using a short version of these thinner/lighter tubes in the Mark 4s...

And since SS seem to be only selling Double Tilt machines now, the OP might be among the first to put these into a traditional base with a Headrest. Something to keep in mind in case it gets weird.

- David