Finally got the new to me shopsmith unpacked and all the parts laid out. 
After poring over an exploded parts diagram, I got one part, a leg, assembled. 
I have my original Shopsmith right in front of me as a reference model, an exploded parts diagram too, and I still find pockets (make that buckets) of befuddlement. An ME, I’m not.
And the wife doesn't understand why I have a problem putting the pups’ halters on right.

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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

The first mistake was taking out the instructions and looking at them at all. You know how we men are and especially woodworkers. Put it together and see how it looks. If you like it then compare it to the picture on the front of the box. They may have their picture wrong! Send them a note explaining how they messed up. Take the instructions with the receipt and put them in a drawer with the lost socks so you can always find it at a moments notice.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Took your advice, John. It's all assembled and, to my surprise and delight, it works. 

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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

Now that scares me Gene, no one ever takes my advise. LOL

Gene Howe said:

Took your advice, John. It's all assembled and, to my surprise and delight, it works. 

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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

Hey, That's how I do it, lol

Here are pictures as proof of my overwhelming mechanical genius. 

It only took me 3 days. I was told by other owners that they have done it it 90 minutes. 

From this.....

...to this cute little thing. I had the tubes shortened by 18". Smithys call this a "Shorty"..

Here it is in DP mode.

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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

The little guy will set on the outfeed side of it's longer brother. It will provide outfeed support for ripping on the longer one. Otherwise, the "Shorty" will power the band saw, do dados (I-Box), disk sanding, and drill press work. 

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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

I see a big "persuader" on the bench. Did you threaten to us it?

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Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

Yep, I did, Harry. One time was all it took. 

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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

Gene, a true mechanic can assemble something, have a part left over and it still runs.  I guess you're a true mechanic, eh?

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Ron Dudelston
Site Administrator

Above and Beyond WoodWorks

The last time I tried fololowig instructions on anything was with an old lathe stand I have. By the time all was said and done I had to just toss the instructions in hte trash and just put bolts wherever they would go because some holes were too small while others were just right. I now use it as my wood rack but it's sturdy at least.

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA

http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks

Ron,

A mechanic, "true" or even "pseudo", I'm NOT.

The most use my set of wrenches get is gauging the thickness of wood out of the planer. 

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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