Shopsmith Forums

i'm going to a lowes demo this afternoon---i understand they have special pricing on the upgrade---& i get the feeling that those of you that have upgraded are happy --an if possible can you put a price that would justify the upgrade for you
-question is does it make sense to buy the entire new motor and maybe sell older-or upgrade the current one (i have 2 a 500 table 1980s era & a 520 newer)--you get a 5% discount with lowes card on new unit not the upgrade as i understand----also i will probably let them do the upgrade which adds cost + 2 way shipping )i'm not very good working with medal---
thanks

Let us know what you decide .

If you habitually take things apart and tinker, then the DIY package lets you get the lowest PowerPro purchase cost plus the benefit of selling some old parts on eBay. However, there can be a few moments of frustration in this type of work.

If you're not frequently into mechanical tinkering, it may be worth the extra cost to avoid some challenging parts of the job. For instance, old machines don't always let the drive-sleeve / bearings slide out without some "persuasion".

You can still sell your old parts on ebay, regardless of which kit you go with. Either as a whole headstock or disassembled and parted. Or, you can get a cheap base and make yourself a shorty.

Honestly, if you can afford the little bit extra, its nice to have the fully assembled and tested headstock that you can slip on in 10 minutes or less.

I saw the demo today and was very impressed. The new Power Pro is an amazing piece of engineering. And it is practically maintenance free. No oiling the shafts like before. Plus the extended speed range and power across that range make the old speed reducer/increaser accessories obsolete. It was also very quiet. Now that I have convinced myself I need it, I will have to figure out how to pay for it. I wonder if the IRS will come to my rescue...

I did the powerpro upgrade myself and it was very lengthy and difficult. I don't have any machining experience, so that may have mattered. I was ultimately successful after two calls to customer service (one helpful and one not). The written directions have gaps, but the video is pretty good, although it is longer than it needs to be and is not indexed well at all. Anyway, finished with only one mistake along the way and think the upgrade is great. Bottom line for me is i wish i sent it in for the upgrade to save my time.

rmazzi41 wrote:I did the powerpro upgrade myself and it was very lengthy and difficult. I don't have any machining experience, so that may have mattered. I was ultimately successful after two calls to customer service (one helpful and one not). The written directions have gaps, but the video is pretty good, although it is longer than it needs to be and is not indexed well at all. Anyway, finished with only one mistake along the way and think the upgrade is great. Bottom line for me is i wish i sent it in for the upgrade to save my time.

I think this illustrates the need to asses one's mechanical intuition when making that decision.

If you are not at ease laying out hole center locations, center punching those centers and drilling/counter sinking those holes, the other options are probably a better fit. Add to that the assembling of stuff in a restricted space.

Gotta wonder if that one unhelpful call was answered by who I think it might have.

rmazzi41 wrote:I did the powerpro upgrade myself and it was very lengthy and difficult. I don't have any machining experience, so that may have mattered. I was ultimately successful after two calls to customer service (one helpful and one not). The written directions have gaps, but the video is pretty good, although it is longer than it needs to be and is not indexed well at all. Anyway, finished with only one mistake along the way and think the upgrade is great. Bottom line for me is i wish i sent it in for the upgrade to save my time.

I am fairly mechanical and felt I could do my own upgrade with no problem. Then my bride pointed out the issues I could face by attempting such with one bad arm. The decision to buy a new headstock and let the kids switch them out was a no brain er. Then all I was required to do was a bit of table alignment and begin planning to do the Mark 7 upgrade. Jim

fjimp wrote:I am fairly mechanical and felt I could do my own upgrade with no problem. Then my bride pointed out the issues I could face by attempting such with one bad arm. The decision to buy a new headstock and let the kids switch them out was a no brain er. Then all I was required to do was a bit of table alignment and begin planning to do the Mark 7 upgrade. Jim

You missed an opportunity to help 'the kids' become mechanically adept!;)


Then again perhaps a simpler starter project would be more appropriate!:eek:

[quote="JPG40504"]You missed an opportunity to help 'the kids' become mechanically adept!]

Interesting idea. Both kids are approaching forty years of age and are computer and software engineers. One builds motor cycles for fun. The other is currently combining a 1968 Scout with the drive train from 1996 Toyota 4runner. The big problem getting them to work on my equipment is first finding time in their schedules then my having to listen to all of the ideas they have for improving design. I learned the hard way that giving them the option I likely would have a tool torn up for a year or more. However they do occasionally enjoy being turned loose in the shop. Items they have built are always great conversation pieces. When I moved into the new shop I needed a paper towel holder. I had intended to cut two sections of coat hanger wire and bend them to hang from a wire shelf, with a dowel for the roll of paper. My son cut two scraps of plywood and sanded them for supports and my daughter cut and turned a block from a pine branch. The end result being the fanciest paper towel holder I have ever seen in a wood shop. The problem here being I became tired of waiting and hung it up. A month later the kids were again spending a day in the shop and was put in my place for impatience. So they finished it and returned peace to the shop. Jim

fjimp wrote:Interesting idea. Both kids are approaching forty years of age and are computer and software engineers. One builds motor cycles for fun. The other is currently combining a 1968 Scout with the drive train from 1996 Toyota 4runner. The big problem getting them to work on my equipment is first finding time in their schedules then my having to listen to all of the ideas they have for improving design. I learned the hard way that giving them the option I likely would have a tool torn up for a year or more. However they do occasionally enjoy being turned loose in the shop. Items they have built are always great conversation pieces. When I moved into the new shop I needed a paper towel holder. I had intended to cut two sections of coat hanger wire and bend them to hang from a wire shelf, with a dowel for the roll of paper. My son cut two scraps of plywood and sanded them for supports and my daughter cut and turned a block from a pine branch. The end result being the fanciest paper towel holder I have ever seen in a wood shop. The problem here being I became tired of waiting and hung it up. A month later the kids were again spending a day in the shop and was put in my place for impatience. So they finished it and returned peace to the shop. Jim

Never mind! Apparently you have already succeeded admirably (especially the daughter!!!).