Shopsmith Pro-Planer Update

[Ken Frohnert]

Well, I bought the used SS planer for $425. I will be picking it up this week if I have the time.

I thought at $425 it was less than the Dewalt and is already on a stand. Plus I think the SS has higher quality motors which will be less noisy than the 735.

With the SS planer I just need to find a way to put wheels on the stand; since it does not currently have wheels. I call Shopsmith and they want 90 bucks for the four casters that fit the stand. I need to make it mobile so I will need to find a way to attach some wheels or make a simple mobile base for the stand. I thought maybe I could find some locking casters that would work that would not cost 90 bucks or something. Any ideas on making the SS planer on it's stand mobile would be appreciated.

Hopefully, this weekend I can go over the planer good to see if it needs anything done and take a couple of pictures to post so you guys can give me your thoughts on it and what it may need to tune it up.

[Dave Lehnert]

That was a very good buy. I purchased my Shopsmith new for $849 about 15 years ago. Never a problem. I myself think the wheel kit is worth the money but you will find them on sale at times. The savings comes if you break a wheel or something you can purchase a new part and not have to replace the whole set. You could also use a mobile base like the Delta http://www.amazon.com/Delta-50-345-Universal-Mobile-Included/dp/B0000223CL but would not save you much money.
If you have not noticed Shopsmith has videos on how to use and maintain the pro planer.
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS110/SS110_Planer_Tuneup.htm

and

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS105/SS105_Planing_Procedures.htm

[James Hart]

I have that planer with the casters. They work very well, especially when you retract them and the let the planer sit solidly on its own feet. Check Ebay for the casters, you'll get them for half that, same as you'd pay for a rollaround base or decent casters that you'd have to jury rig.

Jim

[Greg Hines, MD]

Woodcraft sells caster sets for $40 that are intended to attach to the legs of a contractors saw.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=3703

I don't know if they would fit onto a Shop Smith, but it would be worth trying.

Doc

[Dave Lehnert]

Woodcraft sells caster sets for $40 that are intended to attach to the legs of a contractors saw.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=3703

I don't know if they would fit onto a Shop Smith, but it would be worth trying.

Doc

That look like it may work on the Shopsmith. The legs are not much different than a table saw.

[J. Z. Guest]

Home Depot has mobile bases for $30-35 that are adjustable to fit nearly any too stand.

As much as I'd like to recommend that you support that wonderful American company, $90 for a set of casters is just robbery.

[Dave Lehnert]

Home Depot has mobile bases for $30-35 that are adjustable to fit nearly any too stand.

As much as I'd like to recommend that you support that wonderful American company, $90 for a set of casters is just robbery.

Do you have a link to the $35 mobile base from Home Depot. All I can find is $60 and $75.

[James Hart]

There are 4 or 5 sets on ebay right now, one for $50 buy it now.
If you get these you'll need to either pick up the hardware to attach them to the planer. Or you could just use longer bolts and some washers.

Jim

[Ken Frohnert]

Thanks for all the ideas. I checked out e-bay. I see about 5 sets of casters but they appear to be for the ShopSmith V or a 10ER(what ever that is). I don't know much about SS - fortunately I have enough room for some seperate equipment and have been trying to buy older Delta stuff. So I have never paid much attention to SS.

However, I did not fiqure I needed a large planer and was thinking of a lunch box but I am really try not to buy any "Hecto in Chiwain" products. The SS stuff is still made in USA I believe so when I saw the Proplaner locally on e-bay I decided to try for it.

Anyway, with zero SS knowledge I want to be sure that the ShopSmith V or 10ER casters will fit on the ProPlaner stand. If I am understanding correctly the Shopsmith V casters will fit but I need to use a different bolt length. Correct?

[James Hart]

Ken,

That's correct. Don't get the ER casters. The Pro Planer legs are about 1/2 to 3/4" farther apart than the Mark V (the main SS unit).

There are already holes in the legs in the right place. You'll need to swap out slightly longer bolts and add washers between the inside of the leg and the outside surface of the casters. Enough to fill a space of about a 1/4" on each side.

This picture shows the correct hardware. The black pieces laying with the nuts and bolts are the spacers that can easily be replaced by washers.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/pl_casters.htm

Jim