Review of Shopsmith's Lift Assist

[reible]

Hi,

Can anyone post a picture of this from several views? I would like a view from the front of the machine that shows just how low things hang and maybe what it looks like when it is vertical... if you could maybe one at 45 deg or so. And one that shows the position of the unit from above or below???

I'm also interested in some dimensions like how far down it hangs and how far back and the length of the parts....... like if I wanted to make a cabinet to fit below it what would I need to do to make it fit.

I too have a bad back with only two blown disks but so far I've never had much trouble getting the machine up or down... of couse that could change anytime.

I'm working my budget for tools for next year and I was thinking maybe this should be something on my list. I have two machines but one already has cabinets below it and I would hate to lose that storage space. The other one I'm working on cabnets for and if I knew what restrictions I might be able to design around it... and buy only one lift for the machine that I will use for that purpose.

Ed

[reible]

Hmmm "Heaven is North of the bridge", I've seen that before.

Anyway I'm interested in what you are seeing. Could you get a picture of this?

I would guess you have checked the set-screws on the tie bar and that you have adjusted the head rest handle correctly??? That is where you see the problem right?

Ed

[8iowa]

Good morning Reible:

I actually have two lift assists. When we built our vacation home in the U.P. I decided to treat myself to a new second machine. During our travels on I75 I stopped in at Shopsmith's retail store in Dayton where Dave and Charles showed me the lift assist and even how to install it. My wife insisted that I buy it......nice.

The allignment problem described in the above post has occured on my "up North" Shopsmith. I won't be back up there until April so I can't take a picture.

I'll try to describe the problem as best as I can; with the upper assembly in the horizontal position, the upper bench tube (19) that absorbs most of the energy from the lift assist gas tube lifts itself about 3/16 inch above the socket setscrew (9) on the headrest (13) at the opposite end of the machine. ( the numbers are those on Shopsmith's exploded parts view). This of course skews the upper bench tubes slightly out of alignment with the lower way tubes (20).

When I remove the lift assist gas tube the upper bench tube once again rests perfectly on the socket setscrew. I even removed the headrest, took off the headstock, and removed the upper bench tubes to check them for straightness. As best as I can determine they were straight to within about .005 so that was not the problem.

Shopsmith's tech was not able to offer a solution. I offered the suggestion that the lift assist be re-designed so that the gas tube would be centered between two upper bench tubes, thus equalizing the force. It may be simply that I have a lift assit gas tube that is too powerful and above spec.

Interestingly enough the lift assist on my Shopsmith here in Gainesville FL does not cause this problem.

[paulmcohen]

The Shopsmith Lift Assist

You will also loose 2" travel for the table at the right hand end, due to the fixing blocks, but in practice this is rather insignificant unless you want to turn stock right to the limit of the Mk Vs capability.


I spoke to Shopsmith Customer Support yesterday and the women said they ship a tailstock extender with the lathe duplicator that gives you 1 1/2" additional clearance and you can use up to 2 of them. Yesterday I purchased 2 and expect to get 3" of clearence enough for both the Lift Assist and Universal tool rest. Another thing that should be standard when you buy a $150 accessory or at least a visible option. The part is not on the Web you have to ask customer service for it.

[reible]

I spoke to Shopsmith Customer Support yesterday and the women said they ship a tailstock extender with the lathe duplicator that gives you 1 1/2" additional clearance and you can use up to 2 of them. Yesterday I purchased 2 and expect to get 3" of clearence enough for both the Lift Assist and Universal tool rest. Another thing that should be standard when you buy a $150 accessory or at least a visible option. The part is not on the Web you have to ask customer service for it.
When the parts come would you please post the part numbers... I wonder if they can be ordered via the parts order page..... I got a lot of parts for one of my old shopsmith items that did not appear on any web page...

I did look at the current offering of the lathe duplicator and it lists as standard assy so if anyone has one of these could you look up the part number for me/us???

I at one time remember shopsmith having a hollow tail stock part that would make doing things like lamps easier... yea I know they have a chuck adapter etc but doing it the other way might be fun... anyway it is not listed anymore.

Ed

[paulmcohen]

I was told the parts could only be ordered from customer service on the phone. I tried looking up the order online and it does not show up. I think it is scheduled to arrive 12/27, I will post the number then.

[reible]

I was told the parts could only be ordered from customer service on the phone. I tried looking up the order online and it does not show up. I think it is scheduled to arrive 12/27, I will post the number then.

Hi,

Got the part numbers?

Paul or anyone??

Ed

[paulmcohen]

Sorry I forgot to look, you might want to look at the Packard Toolworks #2 morse taper extended it is ~$14 and much more flexible.

You can also call Shopsmith customer support, that is how I found out about them.