Shopsmith Forums

lightnin wrote:So many of you old heads on the forum boast of how many Shopsmiths you own so with all these extra machines out there.
Has any one ever turned one into a dedicated router table? mount the headstock backwards so in upright position,
the bit would be pointing up. Changing the bit height adjustment would be a snap.
Just a thought it might make a sweeeeeeet machine. Has any one done it yet?

That might be a good idea, maybe. Will the headstock give you the rotational speed you want/need for a dedicated router?

lightnin wrote:So many of you old heads on the forum boast of how many Shopsmiths you own so with all these extra machines out there.
Has any one ever turned one into a dedicated router table? mount the headstock backwards so in upright position,
the bit would be pointing up. Changing the bit height adjustment would be a snap.
Just a thought it might make a sweeeeeeet machine. Has any one done it yet?

Not exactly. I've got a stand alone OPR, so I wouldn't need to do that. However, I also have an original Mark VII. My plans for that machine include it being used primarily(Not exclusively) as a shaper.

chucks wrote:Not exactly. I've got a stand alone OPR, so I wouldn't need to do that. However, I also have an original Mark VII. My plans for that machine include it being used primarily(Not exclusively) as a shaper.

At what speeds do typical shapers rotate? Do you have OR do you even need a speed increaser?

I have an extra main table I modified so I can bolt a router to it.

I used the SS as a router for a number of years and the only problem was you have to have a slow feed rate. It was perfect for cherry that likes to burn.

However with soft start, variable speed routers many that can be had for around $100 it does not make sense to do routing on the SS anymore.

But like I said the main table makes a great router table one you can use your fence and miter guage on. Plus it will not sag under the weight of the router.

dusty wrote:At what speeds do typical shapers rotate? Do you have OR do you even need a speed increaser?

Good question...all that I know is what Nick said

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... Shaper.htm

In other words the 1 1/8 HP motor set-up as a shaper will perform better than a 3 HP router. That's good enough for me. It would be interesting to find out if the speed increaser would enhance it's performance.

dusty wrote:At what speeds do typical shapers rotate? Do you have OR do you even need a speed increaser?

Shapers I have looked at usually have a top speed of 10,000 rpm. Some of the ones I looked at had one or more additional lower speed options.