One of the biggest complaints I hear when the word “Shopsmith” is brought up is cost. It’s true SS products can be a little on the pricey side, but being the cheap bastard I am I can’t bring myself to send the cash down the $80-a-pop hole that is the Shopsmith saw blade product line. That’s where the 5/8” Saw Arbor comes in.
The 5/8” arbor takes the normal model 500 series SS and opens you up to the wondrous world that is modern blade technology. So instead of being stuck with the brand-specific blades your new arbor fits the blades you might find on the self at the local bog box.
The arbor itself has a $19 sting to it but as far as I’m concerned it’s well worth the cash to be able to use whatever blade I like.
5/8″ Saw Arbor Part 555321 [Shopsmith]
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
5 Responses to Saving Cash With An Arbor
Leave a Reply
Toolmonger on Flickr
I just recently hit this as well. I got a SS 510 (off craig’s list) this summer. The first thing I did was get 2 arbors. One for my dado and a regular one so I can use all my existing saw blades.
Love it. And so far, so good.
I almost always cut 3/4 inch (or less) stock so I use mostly 7 ¼ blades on my shopsmith.
19 dollars eh?, for an incert yes but the Arbor is now 31.99
Getting tired of shopsmith prices, considering selling mine.
I just ran across this article. Do you sell the 5/8 arbors that fits shopsmith? Also do you sell the arbor for Dado blades
the hardware for the chisel bit holder seems to be only held on the quill by half an inch. Is there a way to get the drill press stop choke moved up the quill. Seems to be pressed on with two pins.