Shopsmith Forums

Anyone know where I might be able to get a mt#2 to 5/8" adapter, I know shopsmith sells them I am just trying to find them a bit more reasonable. as I need about 4 abd don't want to spend $80 plus shipping.

I don't believe you'll find a source other than Shopsmith for those adapters, or on Ebay. But, if you have access to a metal lathe or know someone with one, you could machine some morse taper to jacobs taper arbors like these from Enco -- http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INPDFF?PMPAGE=518&PMCTLG=00 -- The import versions of the 2MT-3JT are only $4.48 each.

Just found this:

http://www.bealltool.com/products/turning/tapers.php

mt2 to 5/8" adapter ---$8.95

best deal in town.

Outstanding!

How about these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/5-8-2MT-MT-2-END-MI ... 50#vi-desc

My question is does anyone lnow of a way to go the other way? I want to be able to put an MT2 (reciever?) on the headstock. Any ideas?

I don't think going from 5/8 bore to mt 2 would be too stable on the spindle end. I went MT2 to MT2 extension in the tailstock end but that's because that end doesnt spin. The farter out from the spindle you get the machine is simply not built for stability. Believe it or not, if you do go this route, clamp the way tubes to the bench tubes to get ridgidity. Then you need to support whatever you've attached, like a chuck, MT adapter etc. Anything beyond wood and the normal attchments you need to be prepared to add bearings (along the path of the attachment or piece being worked.) to counter forces you are applying. It can be done, I'm currently running the setup mentioned above.

Jeff, here is what you're looking for -- http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PART ... A=214-8704

They come in diameters other than 1" and you'll need to mount it in a chuck. But, as holsgo says, you'll be pushing your luck with runout and stress on the Shopsmith bearings. Moreover, I bought one of these a few weeks ago and found that the runout is terrible. Perhaps that was just the chuck I was using, but in any event it will need some machining to correct.

Thanks guys, that is what I was looking for but with the stability issues maybe I'll skip it.

There are ways to increase stability. I mentioned 2 that work. Using steady rests, a follower rest and even some bearings on metal fixtures that attach to the way tubes would work. I just created two of such supports that use a simple configuration to support work. The bearings can even ride on the spindle attachments themselves to support various attachments. Just ideas.