I've been looking for one of these for a while - finally found one and picked it up yesterday from a member here (thanks again, Jordan!).
This machine is generally grouped in with the ShopSmith and it's clones (TotalShop, EuroShop, etc), but could be considered more of an evolution than a clone - I'll get to that later. But it was quite obviously inspired by the ShopSmith - at a casual glance it is the same tool:
While the ShopSmith design has its detractors, users seem to agree it makes an excellent drill press and a pretty good lathe (as well as horizontal boring and disc sanding). It was those first two that had me looking at ShopSmiths - I'd love to upgrade my little 8" Delta benchtop drill press to something more useful...and I don't have a lathe at all but would like to try it. Unfortunately, the ShopSmith only goes down to 700 RPM, which negates one of the primary reasons I wanted to upgrade from my little drill press - to spin big bits (which requires a much lower speed). I had pretty much given up on that idea until I stumbled upon some information about the SuperShop. The drive mechanism is completely different from the ShopSmith - employing a variable-speed DC motor in three speed ranges (via belt change) that allows it to go down to 32 rpm (claimed). This solves the RPM problem for me - and it is one of the (IMO) improvements over the SuperShop that makes it an evolution, rather than a clone.
In addition. the SuperShop weighs more than double the ShopSmith - the low weight being one of the only gripes about it's performance as a lathe. I don't have a lathe and would like to try it. So about a year ago, I started putting out searches for the Smithy SuperShop (SSS). They're pretty rare. I found one a few weeks ago and brought it home yesterday.
It is in fair condition and I got a discount because it's missing a critical part. This picture shows three gear shafts unsupported on the lower end - there is a bracket missing that holds the other end of those three shafts. These move the powerhead along the way tubes so until I find or make a replacement, I have to move the powerhead manually (and very carefully). The manufacturer, Smithy, no longer makes the SuperShop but they do make other machines (mostly metalworking mills and lathes). I emailed them about a replacement and haven't heard back after a week. I'll call them Monday, but am not optimistic about getting the part - may have to make it myself.
Here is the SuperShop in vertical drill press configuration:
and here I've tested out the lower speed range with a 2" Forstner in oak:
I manually measured it running at about 54 RPM - not sure if it'll really make it down to 32 RPM, but I had it running at about 200 (I'd guess) with the Forstner and it cut nicely at that lower speed (my existing press goes down to 680).
So far, there are a couple of features that I hope will make it a really good drill press:
- table is big
- quill feed handles on both sides
- both the powerhead and the table move on the tubes, so I'm able to get the work at a comfortable height. With the table at the lowest position, it was at the right height for my kids and near the upper end, the table is at chest height - which I find comfortable for myself.
- The carriage that supports the table has a motor to move it on the tubes (this was optional, I think), which means that adjusting the table up and down is as easy as flipping the switch.
- the table tilts forward and back rather than side to side - which,in combination with the fence, should make center-drilling cylinders and other angled operations easy
- 5" quill range with nice depth stop and a quill lock.
The included fence is pretty poor - I expect to make my own as well as a table cover with replaceable inserts. It has a really nice miter gauge, but it uses a non-standard miter bar. Otherwise, I'd probably make a lot of use of the miter gauge on my other tools. Might be able to replace the bar?
Another technical details that I find interesting and may put to use at some point: Smithy sold the SuperShop as capable of light-duty metal work. It has a big (3" diameter) 4-bearing quill with an R8 chuck. I'd like to try it with brass and aluminum to make hardware for my projects. I'm assuming that the motorized carriage was intended for milling operations?
As a lathe, it is is 34x17, so it'll probably handle anything I want to try except for really small work. Because of the carriage that sits between the powerhead and the tailstock, I've read that it cannot do really short pieces - I haven't actually measured what the minimum is. I would like to be able to make dowels for projects - hopefully this won't be a limitation for me. That carriage could be removed, but would appear to be a non-trivial operation.
As I get the machine fixed, tuned up and explore the capabilities, I'll report back what I find. I consider this an experiment -- it's possible I'll scrap this plan, sell it and get a regular press and perhaps a lathe if I can find the room.
Back to the my new toy.
This machine is generally grouped in with the ShopSmith and it's clones (TotalShop, EuroShop, etc), but could be considered more of an evolution than a clone - I'll get to that later. But it was quite obviously inspired by the ShopSmith - at a casual glance it is the same tool:
While the ShopSmith design has its detractors, users seem to agree it makes an excellent drill press and a pretty good lathe (as well as horizontal boring and disc sanding). It was those first two that had me looking at ShopSmiths - I'd love to upgrade my little 8" Delta benchtop drill press to something more useful...and I don't have a lathe at all but would like to try it. Unfortunately, the ShopSmith only goes down to 700 RPM, which negates one of the primary reasons I wanted to upgrade from my little drill press - to spin big bits (which requires a much lower speed). I had pretty much given up on that idea until I stumbled upon some information about the SuperShop. The drive mechanism is completely different from the ShopSmith - employing a variable-speed DC motor in three speed ranges (via belt change) that allows it to go down to 32 rpm (claimed). This solves the RPM problem for me - and it is one of the (IMO) improvements over the SuperShop that makes it an evolution, rather than a clone.
In addition. the SuperShop weighs more than double the ShopSmith - the low weight being one of the only gripes about it's performance as a lathe. I don't have a lathe and would like to try it. So about a year ago, I started putting out searches for the Smithy SuperShop (SSS). They're pretty rare. I found one a few weeks ago and brought it home yesterday.
It is in fair condition and I got a discount because it's missing a critical part. This picture shows three gear shafts unsupported on the lower end - there is a bracket missing that holds the other end of those three shafts. These move the powerhead along the way tubes so until I find or make a replacement, I have to move the powerhead manually (and very carefully). The manufacturer, Smithy, no longer makes the SuperShop but they do make other machines (mostly metalworking mills and lathes). I emailed them about a replacement and haven't heard back after a week. I'll call them Monday, but am not optimistic about getting the part - may have to make it myself.
Here is the SuperShop in vertical drill press configuration:
and here I've tested out the lower speed range with a 2" Forstner in oak:
I manually measured it running at about 54 RPM - not sure if it'll really make it down to 32 RPM, but I had it running at about 200 (I'd guess) with the Forstner and it cut nicely at that lower speed (my existing press goes down to 680).
So far, there are a couple of features that I hope will make it a really good drill press:
- table is big
- quill feed handles on both sides
- both the powerhead and the table move on the tubes, so I'm able to get the work at a comfortable height. With the table at the lowest position, it was at the right height for my kids and near the upper end, the table is at chest height - which I find comfortable for myself.
- The carriage that supports the table has a motor to move it on the tubes (this was optional, I think), which means that adjusting the table up and down is as easy as flipping the switch.
- the table tilts forward and back rather than side to side - which,in combination with the fence, should make center-drilling cylinders and other angled operations easy
- 5" quill range with nice depth stop and a quill lock.
The included fence is pretty poor - I expect to make my own as well as a table cover with replaceable inserts. It has a really nice miter gauge, but it uses a non-standard miter bar. Otherwise, I'd probably make a lot of use of the miter gauge on my other tools. Might be able to replace the bar?
Another technical details that I find interesting and may put to use at some point: Smithy sold the SuperShop as capable of light-duty metal work. It has a big (3" diameter) 4-bearing quill with an R8 chuck. I'd like to try it with brass and aluminum to make hardware for my projects. I'm assuming that the motorized carriage was intended for milling operations?
As a lathe, it is is 34x17, so it'll probably handle anything I want to try except for really small work. Because of the carriage that sits between the powerhead and the tailstock, I've read that it cannot do really short pieces - I haven't actually measured what the minimum is. I would like to be able to make dowels for projects - hopefully this won't be a limitation for me. That carriage could be removed, but would appear to be a non-trivial operation.
As I get the machine fixed, tuned up and explore the capabilities, I'll report back what I find. I consider this an experiment -- it's possible I'll scrap this plan, sell it and get a regular press and perhaps a lathe if I can find the room.
Back to the my new toy.