5 spline telescoping power coupling shopsmith

A telescoping coupler allows connection between the headstock and accessory without moving either component. Which can be useful for setups that require transitioning between different accessories without breaking either down, allowing more efficiency when doing repetitive tasks.

This power coupler allows selecting a custom length that allows less time for reconfiguring between setups. Length is set by the length of 3/4" wood dowel  which is cheap to purchase from local hardware or lumber stores. The user may also use non standard combinations of hubs, for instance a 4 spline to 4 spline or 5 spline to 5 spline connection. This metal version was developed to be an improvement over the FDM printed ABS plastic version I offer for sale on ebay and etsy.  This coupler end is made from SS420 stainless steel powder that is infiltrated with brass which has uniform strength characteristics, there is no pronounced wood grain like direction strength difference that occurs with the FDM ABS plastic printing process.   The strength of the metal is also much higher. 

I tried to make this as affordable as possible.  The price is mostly determined by the weight of metal used.  So the design has minimal wall thickness.  As a result the part delivered may be slightly out of round, which can be corrected by gently squeezing the coupler in  a vise to improve roundness.

This design uses the same spring as the FDM ABS plastic design, which can be reused if you had that design and it wore out. If you are creating a new one the spring needed is 11/16 OD by 3 inches long, with a solid height of 1.13. I get springs from McMaster.com p/n 9657k124.