Difference Between 20" & 24" Shopsmith Miter Extensions?

steveaviscpa · Post by **steveaviscpa** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:43 am

Please refer to (E) and (F) at the following link:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... rgauge.htm

The 24" extension is $47.40, but the shorter, 20" extension is $59.95. Why is the shorter extension $12.55 more expensive? Other than the "Flip Stop", I don't understand why this one costs more. On the other hand, maybe the flip stop is the reason it's more expensive. How is a flip stop important anyway? Which one would you buy and why?

Thank you very much in advance!

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:58 am

steveaviscpa wrote:Please refer to (E) and (F) at the following link:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/swd_mitergauge.htm

The 24" extension is $47.40, but the shorter, 20" extension is $59.95. Why is the shorter extension $12.55 more expensive? Other than the "Flip Stop", I don't understand why this one costs more. On the other hand, maybe the flip stop is the reason it's more expensive. How is a flip stop important anyway? Which one would you buy and why?

Thank you very much in advance!

If I was going to buy the extension, I would probably get the flip stop. I made my miter extension and I made a sliding stop to go along with it.

I cannot explain the inverse relationship between size and price unless one includes the flip stop and the other does not.

In my opinion, some sort of stop is needed. If one is not inherent in the design - a clamp and a piece of wood accomplish the same purpose but are not as convenient.

PS: After posting, I read the advertisement in your link. The shorter fence does include a stop while the other does not. It does not appear to me to be a flip stop however.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:15 am

It looks to me like the less expensive one is simply a piece of aluminum angle, while the other one is an extrusion.

As far as a flip stop vs a clamp-on stop, you'll find the flip stop a lot more convenient and practical, especially when cutting multiple pieces to size from different boards. The flip stop allows you to move the stop out of the way, square the end of a long board, then use the stop to cut multiple pieces to size. Then grab another board and do the same thing. To do this with a clamp-on stop, you have to remove the stop to square the end of each board, thereby losing the exact location of the stop.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 2:51 pm

I've had the 24" extension for over 8 years and have never looked back. I love it!!!! It comes with a wooden removable stop block that is fully adjustable. The block has a 90 deg. face and a 45 deg face.

The one very important thing I don't see with this extension is the adhesive sandpaper strip. This is a very important part and stops ALL sliding of wood to be mitered. Recommend a call to Shopsmith to ask about this.

In fact, my miter gauge wears it's 24" extension at all times. It is even hung up by the holes in the far end of th extension.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:54 pm

pennview wrote:It looks to me like the less expensive one is simply a piece of aluminum angle, while the other one is an extrusion.

As far as a flip stop vs a clamp-on stop, you'll find the flip stop a lot more convenient and practical, especially when cutting multiple pieces to size from different boards. The flip stop allows you to move the stop out of the way, square the end of a long board, then use the stop to cut multiple pieces to size. Then grab another board and do the same thing. To do this with a clamp-on stop, you have to remove the stop to square the end of each board, thereby losing the exact location of the stop.

Item "F" is in fact a 20" Extruded model with the flip stop. I have this model mounted to my Shopsmith cross cut sled full time. I modified my sled as Nick suggested in one of his Sawdust sessions. Mine is set up with pre-drilled holes which enables me to move it for longer lengths. That flip stop it truly my favorite and used frequently. Fjimp

tryinhard · Post by **tryinhard** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 8:08 pm

charlese wrote:I've had the 24" extension for over 8 years and have never looked back. I love it!!!! It comes with a wooden removable stop block that is fully adjustable. The block has a 90 deg. face and a 45 deg face.

I have one also. I have never figured out why one stop block face is 90 deg and one 45 deg. And, the block is not reversible, so its always the 45 deg face against your piece when the extension is used on the right side of the blade, and always the 90 deg face when used on the left side.

Can you explain the utility of the two different faces?

Thanks.

reible · Post by **reible** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 9:47 pm

Hi,

If you are using the miter pro then the angle tip of the stop block should be pointed towards the intersecting extension. This is pointed out in the manual.

To change this you need to remove the two screws from the wood and flip the block and re-attach. Or switch the switch the location of the extension arms.

Ed