Shopsmith Forums

Here are my observations after finishing the PowerPro upgrade process on my 520 machine. When I unpacked the box I discovered the power supply part had one of the fins bent towards the others (see attached picture). There was only 1/16” space between the fins at the top. I called ShopSmith and Dave told me not to worry about the bent fin. I agree leaving it alone was better than trying to straighten it out and risk breaking it off. I just wanted confirmation before I installed the power supply. If there is an overheating problem later I’m sure ShopSmith will make it right. I just used scraps I had on hand as the “stage” and for the board the table legs push against to raise the way tubes to remove the headstock and install the motor. Being somewhat cheap I didn’t want to waste any materials making something for a single use.
The directions in the printed material say to turn the speed to SLOW and unplug the machine then turn the speed to FAST. On the DVD Jim McCann says turn the speed to FAST then unplug the machine. The instructions to turn to FAST then unplug the machine are better IMO. This makes it easy to remove the belt from the lower sheaves. You CAN turn the speed from slow to fast with the switch OFF and the machine unplugged but why take the extra step? When enlarging the hole in the motor pan for the new power cord Jim says to use a file to do the entire operation. I used increasingly larger drill bits to enlarge the hole by 1/32” increments until I got near the circle I drew on the motor pan using the template. That made it much faster (and less of a strain on my old arms – don’t want to use all of my elbow grease before I die!). This left just a small bit of cleanup to do with the file at the end of the process. Overall this was a pretty easy upgrade thanks to the excellent documentation provided by Shopsmith. The pictures could have been a bit higher quality but were adequate for the tasks to be accomplished. This upgrade is another example of quality workmanship and customer service from a great company. No wonder they have such loyalty from their customers – they earn it every day with the way they operate! THANKS SHOPSMITH.

Congratulations on your power pro upgrade and nice of you to do this long report about it, it sure is appreciated.
Just one note, when you write on the forum, you seem to be using a smaler size font than everyone else and it makes it hard to read. I had to zoom in to it so I could read it. If you click on size and put it at '4' it should be fine and like the rest of us. And it should stay at that size.
I thought I would mentioned it because all the other posts look fine to me except yours.
I cant wait to do my power pro upgrade !
Again thanks and keep us posted on your woodworking.
I very much like my Shopsmith !

Thanks for the suggestion Camerio. I didn't notice the small font size until you mentioned it.

I'm sure you will enjoy your PowerPro when you upgrade. I feel like my entire shop experience has changed for the better since completing the upgrade a couple of days ago! I can hardly tell it's running it's so quiet. And there is NO vibration anymore - didn't have much before but the stability of this machine is amazing now.

I am hoping to do it next spring or early next summer.
Keep us posted on your makings with your power pro.
Did you do the double tilt upgrade as well ?

I did not do the double tilt upgrade. Not sure I really need that capability. I have two router tables and a big Hitachi router that will do any shaping I need - at least for the time being. Perhaps someday.

I do have one project in the works for more shop storage. I'll post some pics in another thread when I get far enough along.

fixit wrote:I did not do the double tilt upgrade. Not sure I really need that capability. I have two router tables and a bi Hitachi router that will do any shaping I need - at least for the time being. Perhaps someday

If I didn't screw it up here is an earlier discussion on left tilt conversion options:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=7316&highlight=left+tilt


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fixit wrote:I did not do the double tilt upgrade. Not sure I really need that capability. I have two router tables and a bi Hitachi router that will do any shaping I need - at least for the time being. Perhaps someday.

I do have one project in the works for more shop storage. I'll post some pics in another thread when I get far enough along.

I understand you do not need that capability for sure with all your tools, I do not have a router table nor do I have the space for one .... so a double tilt upgrade would be nice for me, because of space .... I realize it makes a Shaper a bit high but I am tall enough, so I am planning on it at the same time I will upgrade to power pro.
Last night, I checked All in one tools' website and they are now offering the new premium casters on their Fall flyers, but still not offering the power pro upgrade in a do it yourself mode. I guess, I will have to phone them to see if they do offer it. Same with the double tilt. I guess I could do the double tilt upgrade before I have the power pro ....
It is only recently that I have discovered how to see their Flyers, you have to click on the name of the site when on it and then it appears. Funny that there is no reference to it anywhere, as if they would be hiding their "specials". I mentioned it on an email I sent to them, but they do not seem to read or answer emails.
Happy Christmas shopping everyone, I have to refrain from thinking about buying anything, it is not a good moment financially right now. Anyway, I keep browsing the forum and dreaming of a white and "Shopmith Christmas". The white part, we already have, the other part ... well, no harm in dreaming about it.