The "Business End" of the Shopsmith Lathe Duplicator

If the Shopsmith Lathe Duplicator is of interest to you, this is your starting point. A few more vids to come on this useful accessory.
🎬 Don't miss part 2, where we use the duplicator for some spindle turning: • Shopsmith Lathe Duplic...
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[@CessnaDaredevil]

Another great familiarization/instructional video. I recall answering many new SS owners about its function or identifying its parts in a ‘rescue’ haul of an old SS. I like your assessment of ‘ a simple tool that maybe overly complicated’. Or I think some folks that are used to freehand turning, it initially intimidates due to all the pieces/alignment…but in practice is really simple and great for ‘production’ work on the lathe. I have the version where the template bar doesn’t have any thru-holes in it. I often use it to turn four ‘identical’ table legs whose profile I copy from an antique original (just using a profile gauge to then layout on a poster template…glued to 1/4 plywood and bandsawed/jigsawed out). What I like about that, is that by using spray adhesive to attach the poster board to the template, I actually have my dimensioned drawing right above the piece to refer to.

[@MyGrowthRings]

That’s exactly how I have done it, though, do like the fact that using a piece of acrylic or polycarbonate, for the template allows light to get to the spindle. I suppose with LED ribbons today, it wouldn’t be difficult to add more light.

[@sandysmeltzer2975]

Thanks for the video. I had a duplicator that came as part of a massive used package I bought several years ago. I never have need of production duplication, so I gifted it to another SS user who paid the shipping. I have been doing duplication of another sort recently. I am making 11 identical picture frames for some African animal portraits I have cut on the scroll saw. I used the miter pro accessory you showed a while back, and I just had to buy. That tool is amazing for the accuracy of the cut angle and the repeated length of the stiles and rails. Blessings, Glen

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

Scott… exactly what I needed… thanks. Although I put out a couple of videos the first time I used my duplicator, I set it up according to the instruction book. It didn’t cover all of the nuances of setting up the cutter/follower unit. I’m just, today, ready to make final pass cuts on a series of turnings for a projects. I’ll use your methods to decrease all of the fiddling that I normally have to do in getting that Final Cut set up. Thanks bud!

[@MyGrowthRings]

Happy to be of service.

[@RonSchafer-j8v]

I bought the duplicator back when I made a couple of twin beds for my kids who are now in their 40s. I remember aligning the guide and cutter. I don't recall making the oversize cut and then pushing the cutter forward. I really enjoy your videos and the in-depth explanations. Thank you

[@MyGrowthRings]

Man, time, sure flies by, doesn’t it?

[@archived_turkeys6487]

Thank you from before. Jack the Stripper (3 years ago). Made one then - never needed it until now. Had to re-watch the video to see how to use it. Works great. Thanks again.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Glad to hear that you revisited it.

[@karlbrucesnelgrove1883]

I am so exited about this lathe duplicator the one I have one came with one of my shopsmith’s. But I have not used due to lack of knowledge. Thank you for more great information

[@MyGrowthRings]

Sorry for the lack of action, but will make up for that soon. Scott

[@michaelbratcher3323]

Can hardly wait for the rest on this awesome tool. Maybe Chad can "duplicate" the cutter arm so the "dimples" will be gone. Have a great day.

[@frankfowler8295]

Thanks Scott, I'd. I'll have to check around for one of these to help with making bedpost turnings. Thanks again!

[@johnrice6793]

I have the duplicator and never used it. Some day - 👍 Thank you - looking forward to the videos.👍👍

[@drumaganger]

Fantastic video!!!! This is the kind of content that I really like. I have a duplicator and don’t know if I have all the parts. It’s fantastic to see it all together. I don’t think I have the table for under it. I’ll have to figure that out. I would imagine that any smooth piece of Formica would work. We had some of those plastic things on some of the equipment on our Submarines. The Tech Manual called them “Stays”.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Your biggest issue will be that the main table of your machine cannot be lowered far enough to be used. That’s why they wound up having to come up with new brackets to mount the table. I’m sure you can find them on eBay.

[@drumaganger]

@@MyGrowthRings I have the brackets. I just have to mount them to a piece of wood.

[@MyGrowthRings]

@@drumaganger Perfect!

[@wornoutwrench8128]

When I bought SS #3 it came with parts and pieces of a duplicator. ( Yes, I know, it is an addiction and I have my eye on another one) # 3 came with lots of stuff, I bought it off a fellow that bought it but never used it. 2 cardboard boxes of goodies. As I was unwrapping things I found the duplicator tool itself. The platter was separate but at the time I didn't know what it was so back into the house and a few internet inquiries and had my answer. So now the search was on for all the rest of the supplies. I have it figured out in my mind what happened. I am at least the 3rd owner. Owner #2 bought it from someone and I figure that it was probably an estate sale or sold by family that had no idea. I am missing all the parts to hang the pattern from also since #3 is a 510 ( like #2 ) I was hoping to get the all the 510 parts. Anything long is missing so I expect that when the second owner bought, because he didn't know and the sellers probably didn't know what went with it. So many pieces missing. Not really sure what I want to do with it, I haven't turned wood since high school. I'm sure I could fabricobble something up to make it work.

[@mrgunn2726]

You were a handsome fellow back in the day, we all were I suppose. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Mighty green, too!

[@gjacobson76]

I have the lathe duplicator, but I am missing the brackets that hold the unistrut. I also need to work on my table, the top that the duplicator slides on, was separated from the aluminnum table top. I got all the dimensions for the brackets from a gentleman in a Facebook group. Now I need to get to work making them.

[@MyGrowthRings]

They pop up for sale on eBay quite frequently.

[@marcbarash6045]

Thanks Scott, great information.

[@bobwebberkc]

Awesome don’t have one but maybe I will put it on my want list

[@lewparsell]

I love the duplicater. I do have an issue with keeping the bits square when I tighten them down. They want to twist as I tighten them up against the plastic stopper which I tightendown first. The round cutter is no problem deal with. The other cutters need to be square especially if you are following a template. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Sorry, I’m just now seeing your message. It seems to me that there might be a way to fabricate a better back up guide than the plastic one that came with it. Mine is damaged and I need to replace it, but I’m tempted to try to come up with a better solution myself.

[@lewparsell]

@MyGrowthRings Sounds like a good idea to start thinking of a way around it. I'm thinking copper or brass. Strong enough to hold without damaging the cutter. I tried holding the cutter with channel-locks only to chip the edge. I'll let you know if I come up with something.

[@arthurmccutchan7000]

Scott do you have plans for a good cabinet to go under the shopsmith to hold the items that come with a full mark 5 set thanks

[@MyGrowthRings]

I do. Email me at ScottMarkwood(at)gmail(.)com and I’ll send you the file. Scott

[@jamespowell7196]

Somewhere in the old SS website were plans for the "Under the Mark V cabinet" plans. I just googled this and was directed to the SS users forum where many photos of fine examples were posted; I'm sure the plans are somewhere in that post...The cabinet under the mark V is VERY handy! jim

[@jvmiller1995]

could you not use the disc sander and grind a flat on that shaft?

[@MyGrowthRings]

I’m sure something could be done with it

[@BigRigRV]

Do you know how to obtain the additional cutters that Shopsmith used to sell? Other than EBay?

[@MyGrowthRings]

I haven’t nailed it down yet, but they are standard carbide tools that can be purchased from companies like MSC Direct, and perhaps even Granger and McMaster Carr.

[@toddharshbarger8616]

This is probably the most cost effective solution but i wonder if you might comment on third party duplicators such as vega or simple solution? The vega is a really interesting and possibly over engineered product still available albeit rather expensive unit?

[@MyGrowthRings]

I own a Vega too and actually considered talking about it, but this ran way over. Perhaps in another video.

[@toddharshbarger8616]

@@MyGrowthRings of course! A machine-o-phile like Scott markwood! How could you NOT be familiar let alone OWN such a mechanism! Ha ha ha! I look forward to these next few videos! Lathe work is under represented IMO and it is sooo amazing how calming and mesmerizing it is to watch and do!!!!!

[@MyGrowthRings]

@@toddharshbarger8616 there really does seem to be quite a gap between the folks were trying it for the first time and the people who turn professionally. I suppose I might fit somewhere in there.

[@digconway1121]

Thanks.

[@lv_woodturner3899]

Interesting design. I agree the bar would work better if it had flats for the set screws. Dave.

[@kensherwin4544]

It would be pretty easy to grind a flat on that rod. There's probably even a way to do it on a Shopsmith.

[@jamespowell7196]

a simple file works well. jim@@kensherwin4544

[@richardg3232]

I wish you would show this in operation.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Stay tuned.

[@markRTFGuns]

What happened to your corncob pipe channel ? And your corncob pipe retail store ? Thank you sir. Mark.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Hey Mark. I recently posted this video to explain what’s going on with Aristocob: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX_XgnStqLyciaMsi=F0pszrJnv5AjIJHI

[@alberttreado3713]

Amazing!

[@billlarrabee9436]

I have a duplicator and I have duplicated rosetts that were designed in 1908 for my house. It is really easy but there is a trick to it.

[@MyGrowthRings]

There sure is. Please share your insights. Scott

[@stased7343]

Scott, another great video. My used duplicator is in much better shape than yours. A few years ago I used it to turn a 3' tall nutcracker for a friend. It did a great job turning the different sections so they would match up nicely.

[@MyGrowthRings]

That’s awesome. I actually own two of them now, and this one is in the better condition of the two. Still surprises me that people that expensive accessories get rusty and shop worn.

[@andrewbetschman3175]

Scott in your opinion should shopsmith go on the the woodshows tour in 2025?

[@MyGrowthRings]

Probably. In the old days they ruled out attending woodworking shows because they figured that by the time people got to that stage of their hobby, they were either all in on Shopsmith tools, or had ruled them out. Nick, the new owner of Shopsmith, has a different vision, so who knows, it could happen.

[@andrewbetschman3175]

@MyGrowthRings if wants to connect to a new woodworking generation i think the woodworking shows would be a good choice.

[@MyGrowthRings]

@@andrewbetschman3175 They are attending WorkbenchCon in a few weeks, which is a first.

[@Ray-r5j9u]

🖖

[@MyGrowthRings]

🤙

[@OllieRolfson]

😣 Promo SM

[@MyGrowthRings]

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