Shopsmith Forums

Last year I described a dedicated SS drill press here: http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthr ... rill+press
I used some non Shopsmith 1-3/4" pipe x 51.5" long for the way tubes but found the head hard to adjust because the pipe was a tight fit and I had to use a hydraulic jack to lift the head, which worked ok but I was not satisfied with it. I bought a couple of SS way tubes off Ebay to replace the originals, and by counterbalancing the head with some cable, pulleys and cast iron weights (not pretty though ), can now lift the head by hand. So I ended up with two 51.5" surplus pipes. I had also a spare head and two base castings so I decided to try making a mini today.

I started by using the forum search to get some advice. I then cut each 51.5" pipe to 25-3/8" and 26-1/8" which maintains the required 3/4" difference between way and base tubes and made a legless mini that sits temporarily on a workmate. The head slides ok now that I don't have to lift it. Here is a picture:
[ATTACH]13418[/ATTACH]

prmindartmouth wrote:Last year I described a dedicated SS drill press here: https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=6925&highlight=powered+drill+press
I used some non Shopsmith 1-3/4" pipe x 51.5" long for the way tubes but found the head hard to adjust because the pipe was a tight fit and I had to use a hydraulic jack to lift the head, which worked ok but I was not satisfied with it. I bought a couple of SS way tubes off Ebay to replace the originals, and by counterbalancing the head with some cable, pulleys and cast iron weights (not pretty though ), can now lift the head by hand. So I ended up with two 51.5" surplus pipes. I had also a spare head and two base castings so I decided to try making a mini today.

I started by using the forum search to get some advice. I then cut each 51.5" pipe to 25-3/8" and 26-1/8" which maintains the required 3/4" difference between way and base tubes and made a legless mini that sits temporarily on a workmate. The head slides ok now that I don't have to lift it. Here is a picture:
[ATTACH]13418[/ATTACH]

Ya done good! I think with legs(or permanent mounting) ya gonna really like it!

Got my extra tubes and this week I am going to take my 510 and make it into a Mini and just have my 520 for my SS other work, I also have a SawTrain attachment for it and will use that a lot. Have one ER for a Drill press and another on for a lathe so think I am finally in business. Now I will have a power station for my Band Saw, Jig Saw, scroll saw, jointer, strip sander, belt sander. I have two bandsaws and one is set up for resawing and the other with a 1/16 blade for puzzle and toys. Will take some pictures from start to finish and let you know how it does. First big project of the summer. I need some room in the shop to start the rebuild of the MKVII I picked up last winner. Then of course will come the rebuild of the SS RAS last but not least. Have a ER to finish for my brother in laws friend by the first of the month. That will have me down to only two more ER's left to fix up. Guess it is time to start looking for more projects LOL:D