Shorten my Shopsmith today.

[Randy]

For the last year I have been contemplating cutting my Shopsmith. They are 72 inches long. Today I shortened mine by 14”. I have never used the full length of the lathe or saw table. With the work I do I just do not need the extra length and it will allow me to rearrange the shop giving me more efficient use of my space and tools in my 12x 16 shop. The tubes the motor and saw table move on are the top two of four tubes called way tubes. They are a 1 3/4” in diameter. I was nevus about cutting them with my reciprocating saw. But I attached a hose clamp at the length to be cut and it worked very well as a blade guide giving me a good square cut and the stand slid right back on. I am relieved it is done. It would have been expensively if I had messed it up.

[Merle Rice]

Hi Randy , I hope that 14" isn't like when you throw away something that you didn't need then find a need for it . Ha,Ha. That took a lot of Nerve to cut I'll bet . Merle

[Randy]

Hi Randy , I hope that 14" isn't like when you throw away something that you didn't need then find a need for it . Ha,Ha. That took a lot of Nerve to cut I'll bet . Merle

Me too Merle!!
I am sure it is a good choice. Still have all the basic functions of the system. Just smaller lathe and hard to saw 4’x 8’ sheets now.

[Nebraska]

Randy,

Some time you just have to make your world fit you. I’m 6’6” Ben making things to fit seems like forever.

[Kadiddle]

Make it work for your application. Gutsy to do. No turning back now. Way to go. At 5ft 4in you sometimes need to adjust to fit. I get it also.
Carve On,
Kadiddle

[Randy]

It is working out very well. It took up over a 3rd of the long wall in my shop. Now I have it turned and pick up 4ft of floor space giving me room to rearrange the shop with room for a new more efficient carving and work station. I am happy with the decision to shorten the SS.