Shopsmith Forums

A few weeks back, you folks overwhelmed me with your condolences to me and mine when my woodworking, great American father passed.
Thank to you all SO MUCH.
Now, with that outta the way, Here's one of the few legacies that will end up in my carry on bag when I head back to California Thursday.
I've always loved this tool, now it will sit polished on my shelf in the office, proudly telling the world what American Made Quality really looks and feels like.
And of course I will use it as well. And think of DAD every time I take it down.
Thanks again folks.

That thing just looks so darn cool!

Now that is proof of a well made tool. I love those craftsman. PC and god knows who else US tools from the 60's and 70's.

Make sure to check the fluid level in the worm drive. It takes a special worm drive fluid. Actually it would be a good idea to change it. Run it first to get it warm. (making sure it is not dry first) I have seen a lot of them destroyed in commercial shops due to neglect. Take care of it and you can will it to someone.
Parts are still available.

http://www.ereplacementparts.com/porter ... _8882.html

I have used those sanders for years and when they discontinued them several years ago I bought 3 and put them up. I finally gave one to my brother and the other two are in my work bench. One with 120 grit and one with 80. I have an older one that I sent to PC about 10 years ago and had it rebuilt and only use for display now. They do not offer that service any longer now that they moved form Jackson Tennessee to Mexico. It was a great American company until Black and Decker got involved.

Oh and one more thing. The switches are bad to stick so always check it before you plug it in. I bought a new one in 2002 and my nephew set it on the bench and pluged it in. Cost me over $100.00 to fix it after it took off and did a nose dive onto the concrete floor. They may look like a train but they will not fly like a plane.

Here's a link from a recent American Woodworker newsletter. My dad had very few woodworking tools, but I've got them and they bring a smile every time I use them.

If you don't already, get some experience sanding with it BEFORE you use it on a critical project. My experience has been that it is an AGGRESSIVE sanding machine.

As with all power sanders, KEEP IT MOVING or elso.

dusty wrote:If you don't already, get some experience sanding with it BEFORE you use it on a critical project. My experience has been that it is an AGGRESSIVE sanding machine.

As with all power sanders, KEEP IT MOVING or elso.

Great advice and I must say my first thought upon viewing the picture. I inherited one of those many years ago. Unfortunately mine was appropriated by someone else. Jim

Yeah thanks for the replies guys. I'm no stranger to belt sanders, I have had several, my current one is a 20 year old Porter Cable. But I didn't know any thing about the worm drive system, although I did see the fluid plug behind the handle when packing it in my suitcase the other night. I figured it has some kind of wet sump in there and was going to dismantle for a clean up when I got it home. It needs a fresh cord anyway.
The BACK STORY to this beauty goes like this:
Many years ago when I was but a wee prat, my dad had rented just such a sander for a project he was working on. ( about 1965 or so ) I was in the basement shop with him and thought that the choo-choo train on the workbench was uber-cool and of course had to touch it. His back was turned and the next thing he knew his rented belt sander was smashed in pieces on the floor as I had flipped a switch or something on it. He had to pay for it and we didn't have lots of money in those days. I think I got hyded for that one.
Soooo, years later in 1999 or so, he bought this one at an estate sale real cheap and when I was visiting he proudly showed it off.
After he died it was important to me to bring it home.