Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 4.3bsd-beta 6/6/85; site lll-crg.ARpA
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!yates
From: yates@lll-crg.ARpA (Kim Yates)
Newsgroups: net.rec.wood
Subject: Re: Shopsmith query
Message-ID: <991@lll-crg.ARpA>
Date: Fri, 15-Nov-85 17:55:36 EST
Article-I.D.: lll-crg.991
Posted: Fri Nov 15 17:55:36 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 17-Nov-85 06:27:42 EST
References: <124@slu70.UUCP> <363@cbuxc.UUCP>
Organization: Lawrence Livermore Labs, CRG, Livermore Ca
Lines: 24
Summary: Gil-bilt (tradename) kits

Someone asked about Gilliom Manufacturing's kit tools.
Years ago when I was a poor student and had to give back to my father-in-law
the table saw I was using, I ordered the 10" tilting arbor table saw and the
lathe.  What a remarkable collection of parts I received!  Every last screw,
bolt, cotter pin was included with the major parts, all the metal and electrical
stuff.  Plans were very well done and everything separated into little labelled
packages.

Putting the kits together took patience, care and many hours of work.
As you can imagine, the most difficult thing was cutting and assembling
the parts with accuracy.  You need a good table saw to cut parts for the arbor,
and table, but after that you can (I did) bootstrap the operation by screwing
the top directly to the arbor and mounting on a simple frame.

The tools themselves were remarkably serviceable for what they cost.
These are tools with no pretensions, and as beggars can't be choosers I was
happy enough.  Flimsier, less rigid than good metal ones.
I did all my fine work with hand tools anyway.  The worst part was always
having to use a metal square to set up the rip fence.  Always.  Every time.
And again...

I finally got rid of them some time ago.  I actually made a profit on them!

--Macho Sisu