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Joseph Handy
Guest
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 Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:28 am Post subject: Shopsmith |
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I was wondering what model Shopsmiths the members of this group own.
After reading the above posts it seemed that the two major problems with the
Shopsmith lathe function is the weight of the unit and the height.
I am wondering if the 510 better than the 500; and if the 520 better than
the 500 and 510 concerning these issues. I did hear that the 510 is bulkier
than the 500 but I don't know whether it's enough heavier to make a
difference.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am currently looking at buying a
used shopsmith and am weighing the pros and cons of the different models.
Joseph |
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Guest
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| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:03 am Post subject: Re: Shopsmith |
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Joseph Handy wrote:
| Quote: | I was wondering what model Shopsmiths the members of this group own.
After reading the above posts it seemed that the two major problems with the
Shopsmith lathe function is the weight of the unit and the height.
I am wondering if the 510 better than the 500; and if the 520 better than
the 500 and 510 concerning these issues. I did hear that the 510 is bulkier
than the 500 but I don't know whether it's enough heavier to make a
difference.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am currently looking at buying a
used shopsmith and am weighing the pros and cons of the different models.
Joseph
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==========================================================
The differences between the 500,510, and 520 are upgrades to the basic
500. It included better fences and rails, but I don't recall any
upgrades to the lathe function till lately, when they did improve the
tool rest. I had a 500 upgraded to 510 and I upgraded to the 520 before
I sold it. I you are looking at it for primarily lathe work, I would
put my money somewhere else. The weight difference between them is
negligible. The height is NOT adjustable, either.
Just MHO.
The Other Bruce |
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Lyndell Thompson
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:04 am Post subject: Re: Shopsmith |
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"Joseph Handy" <claypot@localnet.com> wrote in message
news:1230mln364qq4f@corp.supernews.com...
| Quote: | I was wondering what model Shopsmiths the members of this group own.
After reading the above posts it seemed that the two major problems with
the Shopsmith lathe function is the weight of the unit and the height.
I am wondering if the 510 better than the 500; and if the 520 better than
the 500 and 510 concerning these issues. I did hear that the 510 is
bulkier than the 500 but I don't know whether it's enough heavier to make
a difference.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am currently looking at buying a
used shopsmith and am weighing the pros and cons of the different models.
Joseph
There several here that have Shopsmiths. I myself have an old 10ER (year |
1949) which won't help much in your decision making. However I do have some
advice. If you do much turning it problably will be too low for you. I
remedy this by setting each end of mine on a regular 8" concrete block. IIRC
you are looking for a height of a little below the elbow. Obviously you have
to remove these to use the tablesaw etc. The SS variable speed is nice cuz
you don't have to change belts to change speed. Seems to be ample
accessories available on ebay etc. for the newer machines. Have fun.
Good Luck Lyndell |
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George
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 11:02 am Post subject: Re: Shopsmith |
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"Joseph Handy" <claypot@localnet.com> wrote in message
news:1230mln364qq4f@corp.supernews.com...
| Quote: | I was wondering what model Shopsmiths the members of this group own.
After reading the above posts it seemed that the two major problems with
the Shopsmith lathe function is the weight of the unit and the height.
I am wondering if the 510 better than the 500; and if the 520 better than
the 500 and 510 concerning these issues. I did hear that the 510 is
bulkier than the 500 but I don't know whether it's enough heavier to make
a difference.
|
Weight is not an issue. Rigidity is an issue. Weight distribution might
be an issue.
Whether the weight is in the tool, on the tool, or attached to the bottom by
bolts, Newton counts it in determining inertia. If the bed bars flex under
the rest and the head remains firm - 'nother thing.
So long as you confine your turning to things such as you would turn on any
other light-duty lathe, shouldn't be a big problem to turn on a SS. As to
variable speed, the less time you spend fussing with the dial the more you
can spend on turning. A smooth cut doesn't care at what speed the lathe is
turning. A rough one might produce a narrower chatter pattern at higher.
Back to rigid, only this time the piece plays. |
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mac davis
Guest
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| Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 3:04 pm Post subject: Re: Shopsmith |
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On Sun, 2 Apr 2006 19:13:50 -0400, "Joseph Handy" <claypot@localnet.com> wrote:
| Quote: | I was wondering what model Shopsmiths the members of this group own.
After reading the above posts it seemed that the two major problems with the
Shopsmith lathe function is the weight of the unit and the height.
I am wondering if the 510 better than the 500; and if the 520 better than
the 500 and 510 concerning these issues. I did hear that the 510 is bulkier
than the 500 but I don't know whether it's enough heavier to make a
difference.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am currently looking at buying a
used shopsmith and am weighing the pros and cons of the different models.
Joseph
I have a "mark V 500", as far as I can tell... |
Bought it new in 1980 and have never regretted it..
The higher the number, (510, 520, etc.), the more upgrades it will have.. bigger
and more tables, cranks instead of the clunky handles, etc..
AFAIK, the basic frame, motor, and rails are the same, as is the reeves drive..
Used is the way to go, for sure.. the higher the model number and the more
accessories that come with it, the better..
Mac
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm |
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Bob Daun
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:04 am Post subject: Re: Shopsmith |
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I bought my 510 in 1986 and have used it extensively for lathe turning
(bowls--both segmented and natural). I have turned approximately 50 bowls
ranging in diameter from about 11 inches down to 3-4 inches. I am six feet
tall and it would be nice if the unit were 6" or so higher, I really have no
particular difficulty. When I get to finishing the inside of bowls, I often
do move the bowl to the far right side of the unit and sit on a stool while
doing the interior work. I did all my turning with faceplates until I
purchased a OneWay Stronghold chuck (including the appropriate Jumbo Jaws
for finishing the bottoms. I still do use the faceplates at times. I use
primarily Crown HSS tools as well as a Stronghold Termite.
I wouldn't buy a Shopsmith if I only wanted it for turning but as a
multipurpose tool it is very good with very good product support from the
manufacturer.
"Joseph Handy" <claypot@localnet.com> wrote in message
news:1230mln364qq4f@corp.supernews.com...
| Quote: | I was wondering what model Shopsmiths the members of this group own.
After reading the above posts it seemed that the two major problems with
the
Shopsmith lathe function is the weight of the unit and the height.
I am wondering if the 510 better than the 500; and if the 520 better than
the 500 and 510 concerning these issues. I did hear that the 510 is
bulkier
than the 500 but I don't know whether it's enough heavier to make a
difference.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am currently looking at buying a
used shopsmith and am weighing the pros and cons of the different models.
Joseph
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mac davis
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:03 pm Post subject: Re: Shopsmith |
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On Thu, 6 Apr 2006 20:34:17 -0700, "Bob Daun" <bldaun@tds.net> wrote:
Bob..
I'm about your height, (was 6' 2" but some settling of contents), and when I was
doing a lot of turning on the shopsmith I'd raise the ends and put a 4x4 under
them.. makes it nice and stable because the legs just seem made for a 4x4, and
it gets it up a little.. YMMV
| Quote: | I bought my 510 in 1986 and have used it extensively for lathe turning
(bowls--both segmented and natural). I have turned approximately 50 bowls
ranging in diameter from about 11 inches down to 3-4 inches. I am six feet
tall and it would be nice if the unit were 6" or so higher, I really have no
particular difficulty. When I get to finishing the inside of bowls, I often
do move the bowl to the far right side of the unit and sit on a stool while
doing the interior work. I did all my turning with faceplates until I
purchased a OneWay Stronghold chuck (including the appropriate Jumbo Jaws
for finishing the bottoms. I still do use the faceplates at times. I use
primarily Crown HSS tools as well as a Stronghold Termite.
I wouldn't buy a Shopsmith if I only wanted it for turning but as a
multipurpose tool it is very good with very good product support from the
manufacturer.
"Joseph Handy" <claypot@localnet.com> wrote in message
news:1230mln364qq4f@corp.supernews.com...
I was wondering what model Shopsmiths the members of this group own.
After reading the above posts it seemed that the two major problems with
the
Shopsmith lathe function is the weight of the unit and the height.
I am wondering if the 510 better than the 500; and if the 520 better than
the 500 and 510 concerning these issues. I did hear that the 510 is
bulkier
than the 500 but I don't know whether it's enough heavier to make a
difference.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am currently looking at buying a
used shopsmith and am weighing the pros and cons of the different models.
Joseph
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Mac
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis
https://home.comcast.net/~mac.davis/wood_stuff.htm |
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Charles Friedman
Guest
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| Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 4:15 am Post subject: Re: Shopsmith |
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Arch
The gentleman who wrote the article did not intend the SS to be a heavy duty
metalworking tool. He understands the limitations of the machine and knows
how to engineer some interesting solutions. In the process he does come up
with some ideas that are applicable to metal and wood. One of his concerns
is the cost of real estate to set up and use multiple tools. If this is not
one of your problems, then multiple dedicated machines would be an obvious
way to go.
Thinking thru problems and coming up with unusual solutions makes life more
interesting. I am reminded of listening to Ed Moulthrup
(http://www.jra.org/craftart/awards/2001/moulthrop.htm ) give a
presentation on his work. He turned huge vessels (big enough for kids to
hide in). Ed was an architect and could have bought an existing lathe, but
instead he created his own slow speed lathe from used truck parts. Well
after checking out the reference: "he would pare a 1600 pound log into an 80
pound vessel", I guess he did not have much choice (but I do think a large
Oliver lathe would have worked).
Yes Arch, I have used my dental drills to do a lot of stuff. Probably the
most important task has been to remove broken bolts in steel punches after
drilling with standard techniques and twist out tools did not work (think
broken, hardened twist out below the surface that has to be removed. Think
portable ultra high speed milling machine with diamond tooling and 2 hours
of time to salvage the punch).
Charles Friedman DDS
Ventura by the Sea
"Arch" <almcc@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:26639-464647E0-367@storefull-3173.bay.webtv.net...
| Quote: | Hi Charles, Have you considered writing a series of articles on
converting an old dental drill into a milling machine? Makes about as
much sense to me as making a shopsmith, even the original iron ones,
into an engine lathe. As I see it, each SS multiuse module is a
compromise so I guess one could add yet another, but why put lipstick on
a pig? Understand, I like pigs, they are smart, but they are not draft
animals. :)
I remember that many woodturners, notably Mel Lindquist, now deceased,
but once a member of my N. Fl club, have turned fairly large and heavy
wood blanks and some have likely spun soft metals on these machines, but
for machining metal not only would rigidity seem to be a problem, but
also precision and accuracy seem to be in question. However maybe the
author can carry it off.
I'm not against multiuse machines. I've turned wood on my little Atlas
horizontal mill and I still have a shopsmith at my Maine camp, but I
don't turn gun barrels on it. I can see why this unusual endeavor would
pique your interest. Mine too. Keep us posted as the series unfolds. I
may have it all wrong and can learn something yet. :)
Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter
http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings
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