October 10, 201213 yr ...So, you'll just have to take my word for it.Over the last week I've been preparing stock for a briefcase build. Gonna be maple and walnut for the frame of the case and mesquite veneer over 1/2" BB for the sides.The corners will be box jointed. So, part of my prep was to build a 1/2" box joint jig for the router table. While I was at it, I built a 3/8" and an 1/4", too.My table mounted PC 75182 is hung in a Jessem "Router Lift Pro". Both the router and lift are about 10 years old. that fact will become relevant soon.Did I ever mention that I'm lazy? Well, I am. It's tiresome to have to hand crank that beast up and down to change bits, so I bought a Skil 12v cordless drill for $10.00 (I over paid) at a yard sale, inserted the hex rod that fits the crank hole and ...Viola!....a powered router lift. Sunday, I got all set to run some test joints in scrap when I inserted the drill and forgot which direction I had it set for. I had run the lift to it's upper limit to access the the arbor nuts. So, the drill was still in the counter clockwise mode when I inserted it. That Skil has more power than I thought. When I squeezed the trigger, the 10 year old, heat compromised plastic cog wheel directly under the crank hole, having no where to go, broke into a dozen pieces. Did I throw the drill through the window? No, but a tear of frustration welled up and a few naughty words were muttered. Not only am I lazy, but sometimes, really stupid too.Jessem is a swell Canadian company. So, I called them on Monday. I'd forgotten that Monday was Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Called again yesterday and ordered the cog wheel. They have changed them from plastic to aluminum so the sweet lady I talked to suggested that I change out both wheels and she threw in one more for good riddance. Three new cog wheels are on their way. I've only done business with two Canadian companies, Jessem and Stockroom Supply (Flat Sanders) and both have been very, very pleasant experiences. Consequently, I am projectless for the time being. Can't have that! The mesquite veneer for the briefcase is 5/32" thick. Through the use of the planer and a sled, I was able to get close, then took it down to it's final thickness at the "Flat Sander". That's OK...just. I'd like it thinner, though. One of the many great features of the Shopsmith machine is the capability to raise the power unit into a vertical position, re orient the table and have a sweet drill press. So, why not use that capability and build a thickness sander using Shopsmith's conical disk sander? Not my idea, BTW. Shopsmith posted a video about it some time ago. The 12" conical disk has a 4* bevel to it so, building a sled and tilting the table to accommodate for the bevel will be a snap. NEW PROJECT! Tomorrow I will be sanding that mesquite to 3/32. (HOPEFULLY) An 8" wide piece will be the limit, though. That's OK. My Shopsmith band saw can only resaw 6".I'll get some pictures posted when it's done. (Probably not of much interest to non-Shopsmithers, though.)  And, when the cogs get here and installed, I'll get some pictures of the briefcase build as well as the box joint jigs.Excuse the long post. I'm waiting for daybreak so I can find my way to the shop.    Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
October 10, 201213 yr I actually wanted to buy a shopsmith when they first came out because of all they could do, but I never came up with the $1800 or so to buy one and then thought, "where would I put it if I did buy it?" Of course we are interested in seeing pictures of whats being done Charles NichollsSite Hostnicholls61@att.netProud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRAhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks
October 10, 201213 yr Author Charles,Shopsmith has a very long and interesting history. The first five in one machine was produced in 1946. It wasn't until 1971, or thereabouts, that the present owner bought the company. I think 1953 was the introduction of the MKV 500. Since 1971, they've improved many things about the original MKV. The latest version is the MKV 510. Within the last year, they've begun offering a new power plant made by Teckna (SP?) Tools. As a turner, I'm sure you've heard of their lathes. The new power plant produces up to 2 HP with tons of torque and offers speed from 250 to 10,000 RPM. And, it's reversable. The new machine, with all the newest improvements and the new motor is now the MKVIIThat extra power (mine is only a 1.25 HP) and RPM capacity will spin their accessory planer and jointer quite nicely. Some guys with the new motor even use theirs for routing. Sometimes the belts in my motor slip if I'm resawing some thick hardwoods. I'm told the new motor will not bog down. Understandable, since it's direct drive with electronically controlled variable speed.All this and it still fits in the space of a bicycle! Well, the way I've configured mine, a little more than the space of a bicycle....but not much.Oh yeah, and they cost a bit more today than $1800. Just that new motor alone is more than that. I think the new MKVII is close to $4000. Too rich for my blood. I'll limp along with my old reliable MKV 500.BTW, one can pick up a good used MKV 500 or even a 520 for as little as $500 if you watch craigslist or ebay. That's a great buy on a wonderful machine. Of course, I'm a bit prejudiced.Gene'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton
October 10, 201213 yr The first time I heard about them was when I was just starting into wood carving. I was about 21 at the time so that would have been around 1982, apparently they have had other versions out for quite a while longer than that but I guess it was a newer version of it that caught my eye.Charles NichollsSite Hostnicholls61@att.netProud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRAhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks
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