Fox Super Shop

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Have any of you had any experience with the Fox Super Shop? As I understand, it was created by a Magna engineer.
Mark

[SDSSmith]

I have played around a little with the original 'Merican made Fox Supershop. It is a nice piece of equipment with a number of nice features and a little more beef than the Shopsmith. As I recall, variable speed control through three different speed ranges (change belt position). Uses a drawbar and collet to connect items to the quill shaft.

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As I recall, variable speed control through three different speed ranges (change belt position). Uses a drawbar and collet to connect items to the quill shaft.

Is this good or bad

[JPG]

Is this good or bad

It is great for whoever is supplying the collets! Collets are better for holding round metal stock, but one must have a large range of sizes(like drill bits) since their gripping range is quite limited. A 5/8" collet with a short 5/8" shaft mounted gets ya back to commonality with a ss.

[SDSSmith]

Is this good or bad

The variable speed is a very good feature. With the added weight and lower speed range, it makes a better turning platform for larger out of balance items. As to the collet and draw bar, the machine came with a sanding disc, drill chuck and saw blade arbor with the appropriate tapers. There were other size adapters available and other tooling you could use with this type of system. I do not know if the old Fox Super Shop is compatible with the newest versions (Smithy, Horror Freight, etc.) so the bad may be availability of spare parts for the machine itself.

[a1gutterman]

The variable speed is a very good feature. With the added weight and lower speed range, it makes a better turning platform for larger out of balance items. As to the collet and draw bar, the machine came with a sanding disc, drill chuck and saw blade arbor with the appropriate tapers. There were other size adapters available and other tooling you could use with this type of system. I do not know if the old Fox Super Shop is compatible with the newest versions (Smithy, Horror Freight, etc.) so the bad may be availability of spare parts for the machine itself.

According to this link, the Fox Super Shop "...is now manufactured in China for Smithy Company..." And this is a linkto Smithy Company. Maybe Chinese made parts will be available. Why waste your time?:p

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I am seriously considering buying an older one. The owner says it is complete and I will post pics. if I get them. I really appreciate all of the info. I believe that this is a model produced before Smithy

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I found a guy today who has a 10 year old Fox Supershop. He says that he has used it a total of 20 minutes. He said when he bought it, he bought every available attachment and accessory, including the automatic drive for the lathe tool. He said that it is like firing up an aircraft engine. I asked him how much, and he originally wanted $1500, but he is so eager to get rid of it that he would take $1000. He even said that he would let me make payments. I think I am probably going to pass on it. Still a little rich for my budget, Especially since today I went out and spent $500 on a brand new Delta 14" Bandsaw for my shop. If any of you guys are local and would like this Super Shop let me know.
Mark

[billmayo]

For information purposes, I have brought several Total Shop and Multi-Craft (Shopsmith Clones) machines for their parts. Other than the 5/8" quill shaft, almost all other parts are a different size so Shopsmith headstock parts and tubes will not fit or replace them. Yes, the steel main and extension tables will fit the Shopsmith as will all the clone SPTs and vice versa. The flat bottom on the motor pan indicates a clone machine that uses a 56 motor frame. These clones I have all came with a 2HP 110/220 VAC 16.8/8.4 Amp motors that are too long to fit on the Shopsmith. I have been successful modifying a Shopsmith Speed Control Assembly to fit these clones.