Without an identification on the headstock, it's probably the model sold by Harbor Freight and that likely is identical to the one sold by Smithy. Here's a link to the owners manual for the Harbor Freight machine-https://images.harborfreight.com/manuals/96000-96999/96067.pdf If you do a google search on "Smithy Supershop manual" you'll find the Smithy manual which is more detailed than the Harbor Freight one.

You could try calling Harbor Freight customer service about a motor or controller.

Or, you might be able to get them from Smithy.

Another possibility is to take the motor to a motor repair shop and get a quote on fixing. I'd have the controller tested as well, if as you say the voltage doesn't vary when adjusting the speed control knob.

I have no idea which shop it is, can t find any manufactures plate on it. No info on who made motor just 1.5 hp 7.5amp.no makers name on it. 147 volts dc on the board.does not go up or down with speed control.motor is toast no drought there. I at one time years ago was a fighter taking a powder is quiting Sorry I wasn t clear on that.

- Scooterfb

 

I have no idea which shop it is, can t find any manufactures plate on it. No info on who made motor just 1.5 hp 7.5amp.no makers name on it. 147 volts dc on the board.does not go up or down with speed control.motor is toast no drought there. I at one time years ago was a fighter taking a powder is quiting Sorry I wasn t clear on that.
- Scooterfb

Can you post a picture of the machine? That would help ID which variant it is. The name plate is easiest if Fox or Smithy cause there is a fox head silhouette in the O in Shop on name plate for Fox. Smithy just says SuperShop and has partial saw blade teeth.

Here are what I call Da-Brothers! Fox is in rear Smithy in front.
As for which would be more likely to fail, controller board is more likely. But as Ted mentioned, connecting a car battery to the motor should tell what happens. Polarity is important but should turn either way. My Fox has a reverse switch. If it smokes with battery then that is BAD.
Make sure you know what input should be. The thing could be wired for 220 VAC. If that is true, the plug should be different and not be able to be plugged into 120 VAC socket. These are old enough to NOT auto-detect input voltage. The SHopsmith Mark 7 Power Pro headstock does auto-detect input power.
If you need to get parts and find a source, please let us (me) know. I am collecting a repository of Super SHop information. I repair SHopsmith tools and am thinking about adding SuperShops to them as well in addition to possibly becoming an authorized service center for Jet & Powermatic around Knoxville area.

 

THANKS guys with all the info given I have figured out its a Smithy and motor is cooked, I have found many Dart brand controllers, so course of action is clear new motor and control . Found lots of motors In ebay under motor controls as a combo used. The supershop was free so I think I'll go with new motor and control , can't wait to use this beast.

 

Scooterfb- So did you get a new controller & motor and if yes, where did you purchase? Also approximate cost if you care to share? Is unit now working for you? I have been using "The Brothers" quite a bit lately and appreciate their functionality- especially as a drill press. I did put a gouge to some mahogany turning the other day too but not enough time to do anything and was just a scrap mounted to face plate. ;+D an

 

I have never posted here before, I don't think, but thought someone might be interested. There is a new Super Shop for sale on the Albany NY Craigslist, located in Cooperstown NY. He is asking $3000, which is a crazy price.

 

I have never posted here before, I don't think, but thought someone might be interested. There is a new Super Shop for sale on the Albany NY Craigslist, located in Cooperstown NY. He is asking $3000, which is a crazy price.

- charliebrown

While it looks "pretty", $3000 is insane! A friend just purchased a never used Smithy with almost all accessory tools at a Habitat Restore shop for MUCH less. This one only has the jointer- and some nice metal working accessories but the chuck & vise are available on the open market. Good Luck with that sale! WOW is all I can say and guy has not checked the used market to get a good value estimation. Even at $1000 he would be a bit on the high side. And it does not look like it has the motorized carriage option either like the Fox seems to have as standard. Just WOW! In my (humble) opinion for a buyer that wanted this machine, $7-900 would be a better range for this sale.

 

Yes, $3000 for any Supershop nowadays is exceedingly optimistic at best, especially if it is not the original Fox Supershop, which did have the carriage feed standard.

DanK

 

Yeah, these machines are pretty durable - if a lightly used machine has been cared for at all, it is about as good as new. I purchased one a few months back with barely a scratch on it and more accessories, for ~1/10th of this price (minus the vices). The guy told me he'd used it a lot, but if it was clean you could not tell it from new. This seller is dreaming. There is no collectors market for these and virtually nobody has ever heard of them. As much as I love mine, but they just don't have much market value (I'm happy to keep it that way!).

 

I was recently given a Smithy Super Shop which was bought new in the mid 90's. It came with everything except for the collets. Of course I cannot do anything without them. Anyone know where I can get access to them?

 

It is a standardized part - so you can get them anywhere R8 collets are sold. Online, machine shops, etc. R8 collets can hold a variety of sizes - you probably want a 3/4". My drill chuck and other accessories are all 3/4" - but you'll want to check your accessories to see what size they are. My SS also came with 1/2" and 1/4" collets…presumably for spinning router bits.

 

Ok, so I have located the collets that are needed now it looks like all I need is the draw rod. I am finding this to be much more difficult to find. Smithy said I was screwed. I have called all the affiliates and searched high and low. Any ideas on that specific part?

 

Congratulations on the bonanza, Handyman.

A draw bar is super easy to make. It's nothing more than a rod with 7/16" coarse threads on the collet end and a handle on the other end. You could even use all thread to make one. There's nothing speciail about them.

DanK

 

Fox SuperShop on E-Bay for $250 Buy it now. Item is located in Machesney Park, Illinois. Item number is 383025328343. It looks to be in rough shape, but it's only $250.

 

I get item # not found Maybe someone already bought it…though usually completed auctions are still searchable.

 

Uh-OH!
I just bought my 3rd SuperShop! BUT I AM NOT AN ADDICT!
ok maybe.
Yeah dat twas me dat dun da-deed!
Too good to pass up. This one is a Fox with carriage motor. I will set the 2 Fox machines side by side-1 primarily wood and other for metal- then use Smithy as drill press but make a short stout base (and fasten to wall) so the base does not suck up valuable floor space. I have been purging some of my Shopsmith tools (and other stuff I have not used). My current sales are listed on Craigslist Knoxville. Type in Shopsmith to see the ads. I am selling the "Sammy Sosa" double length Shopsmith in a slightly different configuration -more useful overall. A standalone drill press and a Shopsmith DIY PowerPro headstock complete with headstock housing and motor pan and belt cover. Also a planer and couple jointers- 1-6" and 1-4". I have other stuff but not listed cause it takes time to get good pictures and write it up etc.
But I and not addicted. I just like how these work! ;+D an (-the-Toolman)

 

I get item # not found Maybe someone already bought it…though usually completed auctions are still searchable.

- merrill77

The item sold and it looks like it went for less than the $250. Look for "supershop" under completed auctions. It says best offer accepted.

Dan, did you drive up to Machesney Park, Illinois to pick up your third SuperShop?

 

I get item # not found Maybe someone already bought it…though usually completed auctions are still searchable.

- merrill77

The item sold and it looks like it went for less than the $250. Look for "supershop" under completed auctions. It says best offer accepted.

Dan, did you drive up to Machesney Park, Illinois to pick up your third SuperShop?

- Ted724

I offered $240 and was accepted right away. I did not want to take a chance on loosing it. I lived about an hour from there and have (very good) friends that are going to pick it up and keep it until my next trip in Fall. Once they realize how heavy this is I will get cussed at, but like I said good friends. ;+D an

 

Hi all. GordoB here from TX. Just signed up to join this discussion. I got my Super Shop from my dad last year, but just got it set up. Has all the accessories. I'll likely use the band saw and drill press, but mostly the lathe. I haven't turned since high school, and I'm wanting to get into it now.

Question on Chucks: I have read the whole conversation, but as a newb I am a little confused. I want to get into bowls, so I need a big wood chuck. From what I can find, There are no chucks that match the 2-1/4×8 spindle threads. I didn't follow all the discussion on making adapters, and I don't really want to reinvent the wheel. What I have found is an R8 to MT2 adapter, and an MT2 with 1"x 8 TPI that I could mount a standard chuck on. What are the ramifications of this solution?

Alternately, I do have a 3 jaw metal chuck. I thought I could use the back plate from that (which has the 2-1/4×8 spindle threads) and get a machine shop to mate it with a Nova or Grizzly jaw. Better Idea?

Anyway, thanks for all the previous posts, I've learned a lot. I've been a wood working guy my whole life, mostly cabinets and suck, and a lot of plywood boats. I'm looking forward to learning the turning craft.

 

GordoB, welcome to the discussion.

My experience has been challenged to mate a Nova chuck to the Supershop spindle. I tried their adapters like you are contemplating and found three serious problems.
1. MT adapter from the Nova is short. It comes loose under the tremendous load of a big blank, partly because of the leverage of the large diameter causing it to twist and loosen. I could not get it to stay reliably, even with the machinist trick of bluing the match to see what rubs and what doesn't fit right on the taper. The fit was as tight as could be made and you could beat it in with a 12 lb maul, and it would still come loose.
2. I had runout problems with tandem adapters like that. Each one amplifies the previous. Maybe you can get lucky and fiddle until one cancels the other, but…
3. The stacked adapters move the chuck far away from the much needed support of the spindle.

What I ended up doing was taking the setup to a machinist friend and had him make a custom R-8 adapter that would thread directly into the back of the Nova without any other adapters. If you don't have a machinist friend, it could get pricey, so get a quote…not an estimate.

These machines are supposed to swing 17", but that's over the ways, not the carriage holding the tool rest. I broke the cast aluminum tool rest turning a bowl because the pressure is tremendous. I spent the money to get a Delta banjo rest and adapted it to fit the T slots in the carriage. Works like a charm. You will have to use the low speed range of the 3 pulley belt system because the motor won't sustain the RPM on any other setting. 900 RPM is pretty fast for a huge bowl anyway.

I've wondered about ourboard turning from the headstock, but never tried it.

DanK

 

Congratulations on your SuperShop, GordoB.

If slippage of the MT-2 adapter inside the R8 adapter is a concern, it may be possible to cross drill the combination and then insert a roll pin or perhaps tack weld the two adapters together. It may be worth a try given the price of custom machining work.

In any event, if you're planning to turn some small items between centers, you may want an MT-2 to MT-2 extension for the tailstock given the width of the carriage. A live center for the tailstock also is useful if you don't have one.

 

Welcm to the foray GordoB! I cannot add more value to the main question than DanK & Ted724. I can however add some other information. Many Shopsmith parts fit directly or with some modification to the SuperShop. The live center Ted724 mentioned is one and very useful. Both SuperShop & Shopsmith have a Morse #2 taper in the tailstock. The live center and drill chuck mount are 2 options that are quite useful and parts are plentiful still. I repair Shopsmith tools and have a nice stock of both. If you have a 5/8' shaft, all the Shopsmith accessories can fit the quill of the SuperShop. I made one by sacrificing an old style quill from a dead Shopsmith and used that for a bit until I bought my 2nd SuperShop that had a drill chuck (3/4" into the R-8 collet). I also found it was a little bent so will need to get or make another that is straight, but for what I was drilling it was not critical. I find the SuperShop surpasses the Shopsmith for drilling and lathe just because of the slower speeds. I just replaced the belts with Kevlar ones and it smoothed out some things but eventually I will need to replace bearings- especially in the Smithy because I can hear them grinding a little. Enjoy your new toy and BE SAFE! Any questions, post here and we will do our best to answer or gives options and opinions.

 

Thanks so much guys. Live center will be here Thursday, along with a robust tool rest. Geeeshe that AL tool rest sucks!. And the MT2 extension for the tailstock will be here next week.

So Dan, no problems with the R8 to 1" 8TPI adapter? That was another thought I had. IDK who I would get to make it. Also, could you expand on the tool rest? I see the limitations of the SS design, I'd like to have a simple banjo setup? Even just a couple closeup pics would be awesome.

Now I've never held a wood chuck in my hand. Do they have a back plate like a metal chuck? There are plenty of generic 2 1/4 8TPI backplates available, if I had a wood chuck that had a backplate that could be removed, I could match a new plate to it.

Alas I hate that I have this cool machine, and the main thing I want to do is an issue because it's too robust!

 

GordoB, This is a Delta lathe banjo like what I have. The nut on the underside needs to be changed to fit the T-slots on the carriage, but otherwise it is plug and play.

All my adapter problems went away with this custom adapter. Wood chucks do not normally have back plates like metal chucks, just threaded female. Nova's threads are "spayshal" so they fit nothing without an adapter. So the threads on the R-8 were cut to fit the chuck with no other adapter.

If you have all the stuff the machine was shipped with, you should have a face plate. Actually two of them because the sanding disk is made with a face plate in it. Just unscrew it. Face plates will do just about everything a chuck will do only not so quickly, and some things a chuck can only dream of doing. A large bowl blank can be secured directly to the face plate with screws. You may need more than the standard 4 pattern so drill more holes. An old turners trick (that can be used by young turners is to place a newspaper sheet between a blank and a disposable wood backing that gets screwed to the face plate. This has limitations with large diameters on a small foot, but if the foot (back plate) contact is at least half the finished OD it should be OK. When done, split the newspaper with a sharp knife to release the turning from the backing.

The unit should have come with one drive spur for the lathe, so spindles can be done. It's a biggie, so I generally band saw a couple shallow slots in the spur end of a blank using a V block. That will find the center where you should drill a 1/4" hole about 1/2" deep for the giant spur center. This arrangement is very strong….will split the spindle before spinning out.

Did the unit not come with a tool rest? I don't understand what you bought, I guess.

Peace out.

DanK

 

I repair Shopsmith tools and have a nice stock of both. If you have a 5/8 shaft, all the Shopsmith accessories can fit the quill of the SuperShop. I made one by sacrificing an old style quill from a dead Shopsmith and used that for a bit until I bought my 2nd SuperShop that had a drill chuck (3/4" into the R-8 collet).

- Dan

Dan - so if I have a R-8 5/8" collet, I can take a Shopsmith shaft, cut to length to clear the carriage and figure in the arbor lengths, and use all of the Shopsmith accessories and arbors ? If so who sells just the shaft ? Price ?

Jethrow

 

Did the unit not come with a tool rest? I don t understand what you bought, I guess.

Thanks Dan. Yeah, it came with the stock tool rest. It's rough, and AL, so dents with every catch. Just not smooth. I have a new one arriving tomorrow.

I'll just go for the R8 adapter. I just want to use the spindle threads since that's the best case, but I'm good if I can find a machinist.

Thanks Jethrow. I had seen that, but looking for minimum #of connections to remove concerns of runnout as Dan has mentioned. Since I don't already have Shopsmith stuff, no sense in starting there.

OK, so I'm looking at Grizzly chucks. Decent? I'll just get someone to make a 1" 8TPI thread on an R8 shaft.