Shopsmith Forums

For those of you with experience with these units, I see these for sale off and on and I'm wondering what do you all use them for primarily? Do they make a good dedicated lathe, or does an old greenie do a better job? I guess my question is, if you had a SS or 2, what could you use one of these for where it may excel over the newer units?

I have never used the lathe function on any Shopsmith, so I can't speak from personal experience. But, I have heard from many other people that the makes a better lathe than the Mark 5 because of its weight. It's all cast iron instead of aluminum. But if you don't have a speed changer, you're limited to 3 speeds.

Folks on the 10ER Yahoo group will also say it's the best woodworking drill press you could hope to have. I've never used another drill press, so I once asked, our of curiosity, what makes my 10ER drill press better than any other drill press. I don't feel like I got a solid answer that I felt I could use if I were arguing the matter with a Shopsmith hater.

I have three 10ERs. One is as a dedicated drill press. Works excellently. But as I said, I've never used another drill press (except the Mark 5) for comparison. The second 10ER stays in horizontal mode. I mainly use it as a backup for my Mark 5 as a disk sander or I'll set it up for dadoes, etc. The third one is still in pieces and I'll probably give it to my dad once I restore it because I just don't have the room for it.

Having both a Mark 5 and 10ERs, I think the only place the 10ER would excel over the Mark 5 would be as a lathe simply because of the weight. Otherwise, I think it's a fairly good match in most areas to the 500. (Unless you're wanting to drive SPTs. That is quite possible, but takes some engineering.)

I absolutely love my 10ERs. And since you can generally get them cheaper than a Mark 5, if you have the room I would not hesitate recommending picking one up.

mrhart wrote:For those of you with experience with these units, I see these for sale off and on and I'm wondering what do you all use them for primarily? Do they make a good dedicated lathe, or does an old greenie do a better job? I guess my question is, if you had a SS or 2, what could you use one of these for where it may excel over the newer units?

So far in the few years I have had mine the only thing I have used it for (other than trying it out) is as an out-feed table for my Ridgid tablesaw.
Not its fault, other stuff was available and ready to go. I do expect to use it more when I get it moved to the new shop.
A lot of guys on the 10-ER list claim that the extra weight and stiffer tubes make a better lathe.
Others say that the same stiffness makes it a better choice with the mortising attachment.
It also makes a solid quick conversion to a wall mounted dedicated drill press.
It IS a lot heavier unit and not by just a tiny amount. That is one reason that I have not gotten mine moved yet.
It does have a good "old school" feel to it.
The original 3/4 HP motor on mine still runs fine but I have a 1 HP dust-proof AOM motor that I plan to install on it (just because ).
If I had some loose change and any need at all I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

I would agree with Heath on how heavy the ER's are. I have set one up as a dedicated Drill Press. I have a MKV 510 and MKV 520 also. I have used the MKV's and ER as lathes and feel each have good points. IF you have the speedchanger for the ER then it makes a really good lathe. But I guess the main reason I like the old ER's are how well made they are and how great they look once you get them rebuilt. I have 4 and one more to rebuild yet this summer.

My only SS is a 10ER, and I recently acquired a second to use as a dedicated vertical tool. Not just a drill press, but as a shaper, vertical drum sander, even router. As has been mentioned, the 10ER excelss as a lathe; nice size and the weight really helps. As has also been mentioned, the speed changer would be a nice, if not essential addition.

I am making plans to incorporate a fine grit grinder wheel on the outboard side to touch up the lathe knives with, maybe with a gearing system to slow the wheel down a tad.

Some users have re-jigged a treadmill motor and speed control, I plan on trying that this year.

By the way, if you want to use a chuck, many chucks (like the Nova G3) come with a spindle adapter, and you can choose which (1" X 8tpi, or smooth 5/8" with set screw) to attach to the SS spindle.

Derek

mrhart wrote:For those of you with experience with these units, I see these for sale off and on and I'm wondering what do you all use them for primarily? Do they make a good dedicated lathe, or does an old greenie do a better job? I guess my question is, if you had a SS or 2, what could you use one of these for where it may excel over the newer units?

My father purchased the 10ER new and used all features of the tool to build everything from cabinets to buildings to boat parts. I inherited it after he passed and have also used all features.

The 10ER with the 'standard' 1/2 hp motor is underpowered as a table saw, but does well in the other 4 functions. The machine features the a two bearing quill. With a lot of cast iron and thicker way tubes, the machine weighs more than the Mark V. My machine has the speed changer and is primarily used these days as a drill press and lathe. I have mounted the universal tool rest to the 10ER's carriage. I have a cabinet saw, a couple of 520's and a tracksaw set up to take care of sawing.

Of note, I also have an 'A' and 'B' bracket along with the special headstock drive pulley with integral drive hub. This allows mounting the SPT's (bandsaw, belt sander, jigsaw, etc.) and driving them with my 10ER. For those unfamiliar with these brackets and hub I am including the instruction sheet for the 10ER Power Mount Adapter Kit.

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My dad bought a new 10er around 1951 I he began to teach me stuff on it soon after as a pretty young kid. I inherited it and it was my primary woodworking tool(s) until I went a little nuts a few years ago & sort of began to accumulate them. While I have come to use my 2 MK5's more over time, I wouldn't trade the 10er's that I have (2 at the home shop & one at the summer cottage) for more MK 5's. (even though I love the Marks)

Here's how I use the 10's. I have added a second table to one of them (left side of the headstock) & mounted a router under it, and I keep the machine set up as a dedicated dado saw. I use a Craftsman 1hp 3450 rpm motor on it, so, except for the router station, it's pretty much a single use tool.

The second home based one has a speedchanger on it using the low range and I use this as a lathe (I like the weight of it) & disk sander/tool sharpener.

My cottage 10er is the heart of my tiny shop & is used in all SS functions. I used it for all my remodeling projects. It does it all.

Also, since I use it in all functions, I need to change speeds & found this setup useful & pretty easy to build. You just loosen the headstock motor lock screws while lifting the handle up & locking it into the aluminum bracket. This holds the motor while you move the belt, then lift & unlock the bracket, lower the motor & lock it. This little gizmo is a great 3rd hand while playing with the belt.

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trainguytom wrote:My dad bought a new 10er around 1951 I he began to teach me stuff on it soon after as a pretty young kid. I inherited it and it was my primary woodworking tool(s) until I went a little nuts a few years ago & sort of began to accumulate them. While I have come to use my 2 MK5's more over time, I wouldn't trade the 10er's that I have (2 at the home shop & one at the summer cottage) for more MK 5's. (even though I love the Marks)

Here's how I use the 10's. I have added a second table to one of them (left side of the headstock) & mounted a router under it, and I keep the machine set up as a dedicated dado saw. I use a Craftsman 1hp 3450 rpm motor on it, so, except for the router station, it's pretty much a single use tool.

The second home based one has a speedchanger on it using the low range and I use this as a lathe (I like the weight of it) & disk sander/tool sharpener.

My cottage 10er is the heart of my tiny shop & is used in all SS functions. I used it for all my remodeling projects. It does it all.

Also, since I use it in all functions, I need to change speeds & found this setup useful & pretty easy to build. You just loosen the headstock motor lock screws while lifting the handle up & locking it into the aluminum bracket. This holds the motor while you move the belt, then lift & unlock the bracket, lower the motor & lock it. This little gizmo is a great 3rd hand while playing with the belt.

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I like that!:)

I'd like to have a 10er but they're like hens teeth here in the UK. Not seen one for sale yet.

Am gradually realising that to get what I want will involve a huge shipping fee plus VAT once it gets here.

The attraction for me is 1) the weight, I like solid tools. 2) the size, the Mk5 is a tad too large in my cramped space. 3) easy to swap out the motor, imo the 10er would be a dream machine with a 3 phase motor and quality VFD.

I am SO going to do that with the motor. Brilliant!

Derek