Shorty -One Man Change

[mtobey]

I am going to do the changeover. It looks like I will have to do it alone. I am thinking that a big old flattened cardboard box on the basement floor and tipping the whole thing on its side is about the only option.The longer tubes are the top(headstock) ones, right? Any hints would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike Tobey

[bettyt44720]

"The longer tubes are the top(headstock) ones, right?"

nooo! the top or way tubes are 3/4" shorter than the lower or bench tubes no matter what length shortie or mini you decide to build. this should be easy to see. look at the tie bar before you disassemble your unit.

[mtobey]

Thanks- will I have any problem areas--perhaps the headstock locking clamps aligning for the new tubes? mt--PS- the length issue is not that obvious-the slant of the "bench" legs inward makes it possible that the uppers could be the longer at the tiebar. I don't think it was a question that deserved the snide attitude in your reply.mt

[nuhobby]

Mike,

You should do fine. If you cut the exact same length away from each of the 4 tubes, you'll preserve the appropriate differing lengths you need for each.
Headstock locks can be managed by turning the lock handle completely CCW prior to sliding the headstock off the tubes.
Sometimes, at least for disassembly, if you have wheels on the Mark V, you can leave the thing standing while you remove the base pieces from the leg pieces. But for reassembly it's probably easier to do the "roll over on carboard" you described.

Good luck,

[iclark]

mt,

you might want to check out this SS instruction:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/productmanuals/MKVPacking_for_shipping.pdf

I know you are not shipping, but it starts with SS's recommended HowTo remove the headstock without risking the twisting of the bench and way tubes by laying it over.

also, people around here tend to get emphatic when someone says they are about to do something that will hurt themselves or their SS. I think there's a big difference between emphatic and snide. it's sometimes hard to "hear" the difference on forums or news groups. we all tend to "hear" from the mood that we are in.

Ivan

[JPG40504]

mt,

. . . .

also, people around here tend to get emphatic when someone says they are about to do something that will hurt themselves or their SS. I think there's a big difference between emphatic and snide. it's sometimes hard to "hear" the difference on forums or news groups. we all tend to "hear" from the mood that we are in.

Ivan
If anything bettyt was not EMPHATIC enough. No criticism was intended. Yes it IS NOT obvious, and easy to draw the wrong conclusion. Under these conditions a red flag warning NEEDS to be incurred so as to avoid further mis-conception/understanding. No one can fault any one for coming to the wrong conclusion with the limited knowledge being used(You had NOT taken one apart previously which would have allowed you to observe the different depths).

The folks to whom you asked for help on this forum are not going to be snide since they have mostly been there done that(wrong conclusions) all too often themselves.

They WILL let you know in no uncertain terms if you are headed the wrong direction. They are concerned enough to want to WARN you not to go that direction. They are not putting you down, merely wish to point you in the right direction.

You can cut the same length off all 4 tubes, but DO NOT lose sight of which pieces are which. This is when you DO need to know the difference between the way and the bench tubes

Twisting of the frame is not so much an issue since YOU must re--align the whole she-bang since you are totally removing the tubes. Or are you intending to ONLY remove the tie bar end(s)? YOU WILL still have to re--align it!!!!

[mtobey]

Thank you for the guidance.
As for snide, long before internet shorthand, the drawn out, extra "o's" in the "no', whether written or spoken, imply disdain that such a question needed to be asked.mt

[mtobey]

The snide issue is very nicely resolved. I am going to be relying upon my ShopSmiths for income here and now. Health issues -side effect of long-term required meds-forced me to close my private law practice; I was not ready to retire, emotionally or financially(the good news is that at least Maddoff did not blow all my money, I did). So, I am building guitars, emphasizing electrics because they start and finish so much more quickly. So, the need to be able to go vertical with my SS is not optional-basement ceiling clearance issues have to be defeated. You might be surprised how often my fellow luthiers secretly admit to relying upon the accuracy of our beloved multi-function precision tool(s). Woodpeck makes a very top quality drillpress table and one of those goes onto an extra table assembly. I bought mine in a promo when they released it for sale. It is truly flat and has working "T" slots and extraordinary built-in rules. I can make real progress upon having the shorty done(Bill Mayo did the extra tubes for me;Thanks again, Bill).mt