"Lobby Dosser" wrote in message
news:L5MNf.12677$XE6.7545@trnddc07...
"Dave" wrote:

I have a chance to get a used Shopsmith real reasonable. I am only
interested in using it as a lathe and I was wondering what your
opinion/s of it is for lathe work. Would I be better off getting a
Delta or Jet? They cost 600 bucks plus. Thanks for your opinions.




How tall are you? I'm 5'6" and it can be a back breaker for me, if I
spend too much time on it. Think hunched over. Ideally the spindle should
be mounted at about elbow height. The spindle height on the SS is about
38 inches plus or minus a bit. My elbow height is roughly 42 inches and
just 4" is back breaking. If the inseam on your pants is 38", the spindle
height will be level with your crotch. A bad catch could ruin your day.

That said, if All you want it for is a lathe, you could put it on a
platform (others have suggested digging a hole in the floor to stand in,
but I see that as somewhat impractical). I bought mine (used) because -
well, because I'd wanted one since about 1955 and I'm a sucker for multi-
purpose gadgets, jigs to make routers do the work of planers, and so on.
I would not buy one again.


I am about 5'- 10" and I put an 8" high concrete block under each end
while using it as a lathe. It really helps the back! :-) I have a 10ER
model.
Good luck Lyndell