Shopsmith Forums

Hopefully an easy question to answer:

I bought the original Molder setup (steel hub) and most of the knives, many years ago and have not had a need to use them.
On setting up today, I notice that the hub has stamped on it "Do not exceed 4000 rpm". I started to wonder if that speed might have increased to reflect the use of the newer 2 bearing quill, so I thought I'd check the PowerPro built-in chart, but the Molder is not covered. Having checked the Operational Speed Chart part 522892, the speeds are there for the Molder and recommended speed is 3600 rpm, so I'll be using that.
I am using the original PowerPro with the 1st version of software. Is the Molder covered in the online chart on PowerPros with updated software, or is it something that Shopsmith decided to leave out, perhaps due to memory restriction?

BTW are there others on here who are Radio Hams and have noticed the horrendous RF garbage the PowerPro computer chucks out on the HF bands, despite it all being inside the metal headstock?

I get a lot of rf from led lights , have not noticed any issue with the MK V

There were multiple molder heads. I don't know if any were made by Shopsmith. The 4000RPM max may be the manufacturers spec.

Can you see which molder head you had according to this post from chapmanruss: viewtopic.php?t=27362&hilit=molder

wurlitzerwilly wrote: Fri Apr 22, 2022 5:17 pm ...Is the Molder covered in the online chart on PowerPros with updated software, or is it something that Shopsmith decided to leave out, perhaps due to memory restriction?
...

It is included in the newer ones. 3600 RPM Forward. It is under Table Saw, rather than a stand-alone. My PowerPro is about 2 years old.

- David

DLB wrote: Fri Apr 22, 2022 7:19 pm

wurlitzerwilly wrote: Fri Apr 22, 2022 5:17 pm ...Is the Molder covered in the online chart on PowerPros with updated software, or is it something that Shopsmith decided to leave out, perhaps due to memory restriction?
...

It is included in the newer ones. 3600 RPM Forward. It is under Table Saw, rather than a stand-alone. My PowerPro is about 2 years old.

- David

Thanks for that. I guess it could well be in the older software too. I never considered looking under table saw. I'll take a look later today.

The 3600 RPM ties in with the plastic/paper chart.

edma194 wrote: Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:15 pm There were multiple molder heads. I don't know if any were made by Shopsmith. The 4000RPM max may be the manufacturers spec.

Can you see which molder head you had according to this post from chapmanruss: viewtopic.php?t=27362&hilit=molder

Following that link, I definitely have the old style Molder. The one I have is the lower right one in the link picture. It's perfectly circular with no cut-outs other than the slots that the knives sit in and the holes at the sides for the set screws.

According to this link feom Martin's Supplies https://martins-supplies.co.uk/presta/3 ... ar#/page-3 the new head didn't come in until September 2011. Mine was purchased from the (then) UK agent quite a few years before that. Martin's Supplies took over the role when Craft Supplies folded.

Hobbyman2 wrote: Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:03 pm I get a lot of rf from led lights , have not noticed any issue with the MK V

Fortunately I'm not really affected by it, but when I used to have my shack in my shop, I wondered where the hell all that noise was coming from, until I turned the PowerPro off.

Fortunately, I've never been on-the-air whilst making sawdust.

73, de Alan, G4GNX

I think mine are the same, I have 2 of them, never used them, not by me anyway. The 2-bearing quill was introduced in 1984 so I don't think it would be the limiting factor. Shopsmith may have de-rated these for performance on a 1-1/8" conventional headstock. With the extra oomph of the PowerPro they could do fine at 4000RPM but no one may have tried it out. I'd probably try that if I ever mounted one up. These things are only about 4" in diameter so the knives are moving less than half the speed of the teeth on a 10" saw blade, a little extra speed might produce cleaner cuts.

Regardless of speed, do be cautious when using them. That 4" is twice or more then a shaper cutter is.

BTW when comparing rotating things of different diameter, do include 2 x π when comparing cutter velocity.

wurlitzerwilly wrote: Fri Apr 22, 2022 8:09 pm

Hobbyman2 wrote: Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:03 pm I get a lot of rf from led lights , have not noticed any issue with the MK V

Fortunately I'm not really affected by it, but when I used to have my shack in my shop, I wondered where the hell all that noise was coming from, until I turned the PowerPro off.

Fortunately, I've never been on-the-air whilst making sawdust.

73, de Alan, G4GNX

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LOL , if only the garage was just for the SS !!