Shopsmith Arbors

[dusty]

On another thread, there was some discussion about arbors. A couple pictures were posted and I wasn't positive about what I was seeing. So I decided to take a good look at what I had (arbors) and to make certain that I knew what they all were.

I am NOT positive.

I think I have (left to right):

555608, 5/8" saw arbor,
555130,1 1/4" saw arbor
555117, Shaper arbor
xxx - cannot identify ........I just found out -- this is a 505506 w/parts missing
505506, molder/dado arbor

Please, if you see an error in my identification, post it here so that no one else is mislead.

On the one that I cannot identify, I had a 5/8" arbor blade installed - WRONG.

If you have arbors for other machines, it seems that identifying them all could be a significant problem.

[muncyjohn]

Dusty, I was one that posted pics of a 5/8 SS arbor, wasn't sure what I had other than I knew I had 2 of the 555130, after looking at your pic it looks like I also have 2 of the molder/dado arbors that I mistook for universal arbors.

What would be nice is if they would have marked a pn on the things, I don't know what arbor is on the blade I have on the SS right now but I know for sure it is not what I should have on it, it will come off tomorrow when I do some turnin......

Thanks for the id tips, looks like you have them identified correctly according to the SS owners site, again I wish they could post some better pics of these, 1 pic then descriptions of others don't cut it!

[perryobear]

Hi Guys,

I'm not looking to muddy the waters, but since the subject is identifying Shopsmith arbors we need to remember that there are some other Shopsmith “cousins” to the Mk 5 wandering about out there.

In my case, I need to keep my Mk 5 and Sawsmith 2000 arbors identified. The end of the motor shaft on the Sawsmith 2000 table saw (produced by Shopsmith thru the early 1990's) is the same as the spindle end on the Mk 5, so the arbors fit and lock with set screws the same way on the two machines. There were two Sawsmith 2000 arbors that I am aware of:

Sawsmith 2000 1-1/4” saw arbor (p/n's 517118 & 555572)
Sawsmith 2000 Dado/Molder arbor (p/n 555619)

I don't know if they made a 5/8” saw arbor for the Sawsmith 2000. If anyone on the forum does know, I would appreciate hearing (maybe with a Shopsmith part number).:)

To see what I mean, check out what the seller calls a “Heavy Duty” Shopsmith arbor currently listed on eBay (item # 280140758467). From the photo in the listing this appears to be a Sawsmith 2000 1-1/4” saw arbor.

So if you come across a Shopsmith arbor that doesn't seem to match any of the better known types, you may have a Sawsmith 2000 arbor on your hands.

Dennis

[dusty]

dennis,

If you could provide photos of the various arbors in question, it would be most helpful.

Shopsmith does not mark these items with part numbers; therefore, photos would make the task much easier and more meaningful.

The part numbers that you referenced (517118 and 555572) are identified as the same (one is a substitute for the other). There is no photo in the Shopsmith catalog.

I can't find a cross for the other part number (555619) in any of my documentation.

[perryobear]

Hi Dusty,

I took some photos of my arbors. If I did it right (a first time try) the link below should take you to them.

I have referred to the Sawsmith 2000 arbors by their original part numbers:

The p/n 517118 for the Sawsmith 2000 saw arbor is straight from the manual that came with the machine (I don't know if the replacement p/n 555572 was just a number change or a change in the arbor itself.)

The p/n 555619 for the Sawsmith 2000 molder/dado arbor (no longer listed on the Shopsmith site) is straight from the original Shopsmith packaging for the arbor.

I also observed some things:

When I placed the current Mk5 5/8" saw arbor next to the original Sawsmith 2000 1-1/4" saw arbor, they are the same except for the 1-1/4" boss on the original (see photo). So as near as I can tell both of these arbors should work on either machine.

The molder/dado arbors are different in several ways (see photos) but since the Sawsmith 2000 molder head can be used on the MK5 (Shopsmith had an e-mail sale on them this past spring) I would guess that the Sawsmith arbor could be used as well by adjusting the position of the MK5 table to center the molder head in the table insert, but I haven't tried it yet. The same thing should be true with a dado stack. Using the MK5 molder/dado arbor on the Sawsmith also appears to be doable, but more care would be needed since you can't change the sawsmith's table position.

If anyone has any input on this please let me know.:)

Dennis

http://picasaweb.google.com/PERRYOBEAR/SSARBORS

[perryobear]

Well, my link to the arbor photos didn't work. I'll have to ask the administrator what I did wrong.

Meanwhile, here is the URL you can copy and paste to see the photos:

http://picasaweb.google.com/PERRYOBEAR/SSARBORS

sorry,

Dennis

[charlese]

Dennis - this link worked real good. Viewed the slide show - good photos!

[psargeant]

After reading the various posts on this thread, I was interested to see what I had in my collection of arbors. I purchased my Shopsmith Mk 5 new in 1978 and still have accessory catalogs dating from that time. One could purchase only three arbors for the Mk 5 at that time:
1. 1 1/4" arbor
2. 5/8 " universal arbor
3. 1/2 " universal arbor with an option to buy the shaper collars if needed.
The 5/8" and 1/2" universal arbors each had 4 washers... a thick one, two thinner ones and the keeper washer. The 5/8" universal arbor was also used as the dado arbor. A few years later the 5/8" saw arbor was introduced. I have used the 5/8" universal arbor for all my non-Shopsmith saw blades and dado needs for almost 30 years and just recently purchased the newer model. The difference I have found is the newer arbor allows one to not have to adjust the table slot to the right to center the blade like you do with the older 5/8" universal arbor. I recently purchased an excellent condition used Mk 510 for less than an upgrade would cost. Included with the sale were a number of items including a 5/8" moulder/dado arbor. I noted today that this arbor is approximately 1/4" longer than my older 5/8" universal arbors.
I noted that Dusty identified his arbors the same as I would but I do not believe he incorrectly used the 5/8" arbor for a saw blade arbor because "in the good old days" that was the only option available.

Phil Sargeant