Shopsmith Forums

Hey all,

I am trying to make some jigs for my SS in the lathe configuration. I want the jigs to attache to the tubes. Some of the jigs will attach to the upper set, and some to the lower set. I have tried to make blocks to grab the tubes before, but I can never get the distance between the tubes correct.

Can someone tell me how far apart the tubes are for both sets of tubes?

Also, if you have a good way to attach things to the tubes, I would appreciate it if you describe it. I really need to get some turning done.

Thanks in advance,
Rob Hix

I am of the school of shopwork that says never measure if you can superimpose...
I don't know the spacing of the tubes because I don't want to know. When I wanted to make a pair of supports that would clamp to the tubes I laid my piece of stock across the tubes and made sure it was square to them. Then I just dropped down with a square sitting on top of the stock and making contact with the tubes. The 4 lines I made were then exactly the tube spacing. Use a compass to find the center of each set of marks and use that point to mark the arc of the 1/2 hole.
I used to have a nice uncle that could measure three times and screw it up five times...

Seven Inches. Drill two 1 3/4" holes 7" apart(center to center) in ?x4 board. Saw board in half on a line through the centers of the holes. This gives you the two halves of a 'clamp' to which you can attach 'whatever'.

robinson46176 wrote:I am of the school of shopwork that says never measure if you can superimpose...
I don't know the spacing of the tubes because I don't want to know. When I wanted to make a pair of supports that would clamp to the tubes I laid my piece of stock across the tubes and made sure it was square to them. Then I just dropped down with a square sitting on top of the stock and making contact with the tubes. The 4 lines I made were then exactly the tube spacing. Use a compass to find the center of each set of marks and use that point to mark the arc of the 1/2 hole.
I used to have a nice uncle that could measure three times and screw it up five times...

Considering your grandpop's hammer, you AND your uncle have a (at least one) common trait. Your suggestion is good(what is necessary if you do NOT have the end pieces to 'measure')! I had the end pieces (with empty tube holes) therefore I COULD accurately measure them. See #3

JPG40504 wrote:Seven Inches. Drill two 1 3/4" holes 7" apart(center to center) in ?x4 board. Saw board in half on a line through the centers of the holes. This gives you the two halves of a 'clamp' to which you can attach 'whatever'.

I agree with the dimensions provided.

The lower tubes are 8 5/8" center to center.

The bench tubes are 9 1/4" (measured center to center) below the way tubes.

Thanks bunches. I do not know why I did not think of the "superimposed" method. I always try to do that vs. measurements. Now, to get out in the shop and try to get something going.

Everyone have a great weekend,
Rob

dusty wrote:I agree with the dimensions provided.

The lower tubes are 8 5/8" center to center.

The bench tubes are 9 1/4" (measured center to center) below the way tubes.

My 'Goldie' measures 8 1/2" ctr -ctr bench tubes.
7 1/2" ctr - ctr below way tubes

Also the spt tubes are 7" ctr - ctr
the 500 table tubes are 12" ctr - ctr

The way/bench tubes are 1 3/4" od.
The spt/table tubes are 1 1/4" od.

Do Not know 510/520 table tube spacing(>12" I believe). (2009Jun23 15 7/16<<<<<<<<")

Dusty If we are BOTH correct, then newer SS ARE different from older ones.

I am not sure whether you are telling me that I need to verify measurements or that my figures are correct.

If you think they are incorrect, let me know so that I can correct this sketch.

[ATTACH]3521[/ATTACH]

robinson46176 wrote:I am of the school of shopwork that says never measure if you can superimpose...
I used to have a nice uncle that could measure three times and screw it up five times...

There is GREAT WISDOM there for all woodworkers. When I quit measuring - all of my woodworking quickly became more accurate! Just transfer marks and story sticks. Exception! - I still measure first case or frame set ups. Subsequent set ups are done using sticks.

I used to use the "lose an inch" method of measuring, until I found several pieces were an inch too short:o .

dusty wrote:I am not sure whether you are telling me that I need to verify measurements or that my figures are correct.

If you think they are incorrect, let me know so that I can correct this sketch.

[ATTACH]3521[/ATTACH]

I do not know if they are "incorrect", only that they differ from my measurements. I just 'remeasured' and 7 1/2" and 8 1/2" are the dimensions I got for your 9 1/4" and 8 3/4"! Also the outside edge of the bench tubes is 3/4" further out (front and rear) from the way tubes(your drawing shows them 7/8").

Notice that we differ on the7 1/2" dimension by the diameter of the tube.