Beall Bowl Buffs with PM3520B?

[Eric Jacobson]

I just ungraded from a Shopsmith to a PM3520B. How can I attach my Beall Bowl buffs to the PM's spindle? All I have is the Beall Buffing System 1/2" - 5/8" Adaptor that came with it. What is the typical way most turners do this?

[Joshua Dinerstein]

I just ungraded from a Shopsmith to a PM3520B. How can I attach my Beall Bowl buffs to the PM's spindle? All I have is the Beall Buffing System 1/2" - 5/8" Adaptor that came with it. What is the typical way most turners do this?
Contact DonPencil.com or Woodturnerscatalog.com. They sell a direct thread onto your spindle that the Beall Buffs screw into. I got an extended one, >6" in length with got me nicely away from the headstock for some bigger work, and it honestly works really well for me.

Joshua

[Mike Wenman]

do you still have your shopsmith? Possibly just leave your buff on it and tuck it away in a corner in the shop?

[Steve Schlumpf]

Eric - I use a #2 morse taper mandrel to hold my beall buff wheels. Not advocating this particular vendor - but it shows you what I am talking about: http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005184/3208/2-MT-Mandrel.aspx (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005184/3208/2-MT-Mandrel.aspx)

also: http://www.bealltool.com/products/turning/tapers.php (http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005184/3208/2-MT-Mandrel.aspx)

Come to think of it, I also use their extension so I can buff away from the headstock. Here it is: http://www.bealltool.com/products/buffing/buffextension.php
(http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2005184/3208/2-MT-Mandrel.aspx)

[Keith Palmer]

Eric,

Sure glad I am not the only one making that large leap:D. I just got notice that my 3520B shipped yesterday and should have it next week. I too use the taper mandrel that Steve suggests. I had modified my 1940 shopsmith 10ER to have a MT and 1" threads. I just couldn't justify trying to make the shopsmith any better of a lathe.

Just curious what shopsmith were you using?

Here is a shot of mine.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=103714&d=1229374816

[Ryan Baker]

Definitely get one of the extended threaded adapters. After using those, I wouldn't consider doing it any other way. Don Pencil sells them, but several other common vendors are selling knock-off versions of their own. They make mounting easy, but they also give you the extension you need for buffing larger pieces. You can get them for the Shopsmith too -- and that would be handy to leave set up.

[Thomas Canfield]

I have the 1 1/4" x 8" Don Pencil to use with wheels on my PM 3520B and also the 1" x 8" Don Pencil to use the bowl buffs on my Jet 1014VS. The larger swing on the PM works well with larger bowls buffing any exterior, and the bowl buffs work well on the mini. That allows having both set up when finishing. Something to consider for your Shopsmith.

[Steve Mawson]

I have the one like Steve suggested from Woodcraft. However I use it more on a Jacobs chuck for drilling with the tailstock. I have a 1982 Shopsmith I still use for buffing.

[Eric Jacobson]

Eric - I use a #2 morse taper mandrel to hold my beall buff wheels.


Steve, I guess the #2 morse taper mandrel fits into the headstock spindle. I'm a bit confused by this. Does the morse taper hold it well enough that it stays in the spindle without being pushed from the tailstock? I guess my question may sound dumb but I thought morse taper attachments had to be pushed from the other side to be safe.

[Gary Chester]

Don Pencil has a 12" extender now! I haven't used mine yet, but it seems very solid and well made... and gives you lots of room to work.

[Fred Belknap]

I got a M2 taper adapter and it has a threaded end to use a 1/4" threaded rod to hold it on. Works good.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Eric - I use the #2 morse taper combined with the extension mandrel. All I do is slide the headstock down to the end of the lathe so the buffing wheel hangs out away from the bed - pop the morse taper into the headstock and start buffing. Have had it come loose once or twice when first starting to buff - but I just pop it back in - a little firmer.

[Eric Jacobson]

Keith, your Shopsmith is a real beauty! Mine is a 1960's model, it's green. But the headstock was replaced about 10 years ago. It has been a great tool for me but I got tired of trying to keep it from walking down the driveway as I turned larger blanks. I actually would put my foot over the cross bars to try to keep it steady. Poor thing. It really wanted to do everything!

(sorry for the off subject post)

[Eric Jacobson]

All,

Thanks for the great answers. I think I will get both the #2 morse taper adapter and the DonPencil thing!

Someone's post said that the #2 morse taper adapter would work to hold a jacob's chuck, as well. I guess this would allow me to drill center holes using my PM3520B, for pepper grinders. I could use my Shopsmith jacob's chuck...should be much better than with the Shopsmith drill press, which has lots of play in the table.

The DonPencil thing seems quick and safe for the buffer balls. Yep, better get it too.;)