Of all woodworking operations, many consider the Lathe to be the most “artistic” and the mostenjoyable. Turned objects such as platters, goblets, bowls and vases are complete projects, requiring no additional components. Once you’ve turned and smoothed them on the lathe, just apply the finish and they’re ready to admire.
 
If you’re like most, however, you’ll probably get a lot more use out of your lathe as a tool for crafting legs for beds, chairs and tables…spindles for porch and stair railings…posts for fences and mailboxes and similar applications.
 
With a full 16-1/2 inch of swing over the ways and 34 inches between centers, the Shopsmith Lathe can handle large diameter faceplate turnings, as well as table legs and spindles up to a full 34 inches long. The Tailstock offers a unique adjustable mounting system for the dead (or live) center that lets you create professional-looking cabriole-style legs using a technique called “offset turning”. It’s all explained (and illustrated), step-by-step, in the educational materials that come with your new MARK V.
 
The Shopsmith Lathe is the first place where a single MARK V feature positively affects all five tool functions. Usually, these features are not normally available on dedicated, individual tools. This feature is Shopsmith’s mechanical, variable speed drive that delivers up to 2 hp in an infinite range of speeds from 700 to 5,200 rpm at the turn of a simple dial. No need to turn off the power. No covers to open. No belts to change. No gears to shift. No fingers to pinch. Instantaneous speed change. Now!
 
The second of these Shared Features is the carriage for the lathe tool rest. Since it also serves as the saw table carriage, it must always slide back-and-forth on the same axis, across the full length of the way tubes. This parallel sliding feature means the Shopsmith lathe tool rest will also slide parallel to the turned spindle throughout its travel. When it’s where you want it, just flip a convenient lever to lock it firmly in place. The tool rests on most lathes must be re-aligned with each move.

As your skills grow, we offer a full complement of Shopsmith Lathe accessories, from chisels and faceplates to specialized tool rests, steadyrests for turning long, fragile spindles...even a special Lathe Duplicator that’s so easy to use that you could turn 10 (or 100!) absolutely identical spindles, legs or posts with practically no experience. It’s true!

Continue to Drill Press. . .

Request a Shopsmith MARK V Information Kit
includes a 30 min. DVD explaining the capabilities and benefits of the Shopsmith MARK V Woodworking System