Shopsmith Forums

Fellow Shopsmith Geniuses…
I need some help here. I have tried to sell my sweet Mark 5/500. That has been a no hitter. I now have plan “B”. I need some short way and bench rails. I am going too make my own Shorty. I am going to set it up as a jointer only type machine.
Do any of you happen to have some rails that I can buy from you? I called SS to se what Shorty tubes sell for. They pulled the plug on the Mark 4. So back to the drawing board. If any of you have some decent way rails and such tucked away and would consider selling them…. Fire a flair in the air or give me a shout out!
Best,
Thom Schuck
Portland
PS. Big SHOUT OUT to Russ Chapmanmfor getting me back on the rails. Much obliged!

Don't you already have 2 bench tubes and 2 way tubes? There's probably some way to make them shorter

If you want to preserve your original tubes you can use 1-1/2" EMT conduit. It's very close to the right diameter and costs a lot less than new tubes. I do see them on eBay for what are reasonable prices.

Hmmm... I am confused. Why don't you just cut the ones you have? What am I missing?

There's a guy on ebay that sell's what I would call "mini" way and bench tubes for $32.29 a set plus shipping (~$30 shipped here, ymmv). I have tubes, but that is less than I'd want to part with a set for. This is the very short version M5/V, similar in length to what SS calls a Deputy (26" way tubes) but with the full bench. Tubes for what I would call a "shorty," like a Mark 4 plus/minus an inch or two, would likely be more expensive to buy and ship. (A regular set of tubes can be cut into two sets of mini tubes, but only one set of shorty tubes.)

Note that a true (or shop built) Deputy kit might serve you well because you can make the bench for it to your own specs for accessibility. Maybe lower that Jointer table height a bit to something easier and safer for you to operate from your chair.(?)

- David

Ed and John, Thom was thinking of keeping the original length Way and Bench Tubes in case he wants to go back to the standard size Mark V. I know he didn't say that in his post above but did in his email to me.

Thom,

David's comment

Note that a true (or shop built) Deputy kit might serve you well because you can make the bench for it to your own specs for accessibility. Maybe lower that Jointer table height a bit to something easier and safer for you to operate from your chair.(?)

That may be something for you to consider. A lower height may also be helpful when using your Bandsaw.

chapmanruss wrote: Fri Jul 19, 2024 12:14 pm

Ed and John, Thom was thinking of keeping the original length Way and Bench Tubes in case he wants to go back to the standard size Mark V. I know he didn't say that in his post above but did in his email to me.

Thom,

David's comment

Note that a true (or shop built) Deputy kit might serve you well because you can make the bench for it to your own specs for accessibility. Maybe lower that Jointer table height a bit to something easier and safer for you to operate from your chair.(?)

That may be something for you to consider. A lower height may also be helpful when using your Bandsaw.

In that case I would still cut the ones I have and watch eBay for a good price on a full sized set. That way you have the shorty now and plenty of time to pick and choose a good bargain on eBay. Probably cheaper in the long run.

I could spare a couple of tubes if you want to just cut them in half for a deputy or very short shorty. If you had a particular length in mind I'll check for short pieces I have cut already. But I saw recently a set of 4 tubes on eBay that weren't that much. Also, if you make a drill press instead you need a lot less tube.

Realize a set of 4 tubes can be made from either 2 way tubes or two bench tubes by cutting them so one 'half" is 3/4" longer than the other 'half'.

However this creates a very short shorty.

It makes a good power station.(no tables)

To me, a "jointer only shorty" translates to a headstock (with coupler) mounted on the Way Tubes (no carriage, no tables).

A Shop Deputy size is what, I believe, Thom is wanting to convert his Mark V to. He wants to use it to power his 4" Jointer and at times his Bandsaw. They are moving soon and he doesn't have the room for a full-size Mark V along with all his other tools. Having enough space around his tools, always being set up, is important due to his limitations. Woodworking is one of the things that keeps Thom going.