OPR Decision

berry · Post by **berry** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 9:31 am

Good morning all. I see SS has their OPR system on sale. I need to make a decision pretty quick if I'm going to catch the sale so please respond in as timely a manner as you are able.

I'm looking for a new router set up as the melamine on my Rockler router table is chipping off. (I tried putting on a new formica top but it turned out pretty bad.) I'm looking at Bench Dog, Kreg, MLCS. I know lots of people make their own but I'm just not interested in building a table.

My shop is small (12 x 14). I use my SS as my main tool. I don't have another table saw for example. I don't have room to set up a second unit dedicated to routing or I wouldn't do this. I mount my Rockler to a BD WorkMate like this when in use.

[ATTACH]15902[/ATTACH]

When not in use they go on the wall and I get the floor space back.

[ATTACH]15903[/ATTACH]

Anyway I'm here to ask questions and get opinions about ShopSmith's router unit.
1. How long to change over to routing from another operation?
2. It looks to me as though I don't have to remove the head stock to use the router set-up but could someone verify that? Then if you leave the head stock on how difficult is it to lift into position? (I don't have one of those fancy lifts.)
3. While I see advantages to have the router over the work I used to having the router mounted under the table. Has anyone mounted a router under a SS table? How'd that go?
4. The fence arrangement sure seems odd and perhaps difficult to set up, comments on the fence.
5. If you use a router regularly, can a SS unit be your only router table.

I'd appreciate any opinions positive or negative and the time you took to read and reply.

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 9:51 am

Some selected comments from me are:

2. You can leave the headstock on, but you'll need to slide it way to one end, which makes it a real "Wheaties job" to lift. I don't do this since I have a dedicated 'shorty' stand for my OPR.

3. Under-the-table can work on the early-style independent OPR's, but it doesn't work on the modern way-tube-mount OPR setups. The worktable tie-bar is in the way.

4. The factory fence is not the strong point of the OPR table. I've made my own sleds and fences, and just occasionally used the factory fences.

5. I think the thoroughgoing craftsman will want both an OPR and an under-table router setup. I only have the OPR for now, still thinking about a conventional table scheme in the future. For my style of projects, the OPR is enough, but the lack of an under-table router has influenced some of my decisions on joint styles, etc.

damagi · Post by **damagi** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:29 am

berry wrote:
Anyway I'm here to ask questions and get opinions about ShopSmith's router unit.
1. How long to change over to routing from another operation?
2. It looks to me as though I don't have to remove the head stock to use the router set-up but could someone verify that? Then if you leave the head stock on how difficult is it to lift into position? (I don't have one of those fancy lifts.)
3. While I see advantages to have the router over the work I used to having the router mounted under the table. Has anyone mounted a router under a SS table? How'd that go?
4. The fence arrangement sure seems odd and perhaps difficult to set up, comments on the fence.
5. If you use a router regularly, can a SS unit be your only router table.

I'd appreciate any opinions positive or negative and the time you took to read and reply.

1) Not that long. Maybe 2 or 3 minutes with practice. Its about the same length of time it takes to do most changeovers that require the waytube clamp.
2) Nope, headstock stays on. It can be tough to lift the headstock into place, but you will have to decide for yourself what is too much. Realistically speaking, you need the headstock in the drill press or slightly higher position.
3) As noted, it won't work under the table by default. Some people have modified their floating tables to serve as router inserts (similar to how the BT3000 saws do it). If you have a 510 you can also get extra rails from people who went to a 520 and then make your own insert.
4) Its not too bad...just use a straight board to get it aligned.
5) Depends on who you ask. If you have an under mount setup as well then definitely yes. If not, then its probably like any other shopsmith thing - you can choose to deal with the "quirks" to compensate for the small space and such.

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:36 am

Berry,

Thanks for the heads up on the OPR being on sale today.

I ordered mine last week before the sale. I just called SS and they gave me the $106 discount since it hasn't arrived yet.

I also just installed the lift assist last night so that I can move the head stock all the way to the upper end and raise it with very little effort. You should install this option in my opinion or you might end up hurting yourself.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 10:48 am

I think that you made a wise decision going for the OPR. There may come a day when you want a second (full time) router table but until then, with the OPR there will be no routing task you can't do.

A second router for free hand routing might be in order, however.

I really like the start/stop switch you have on your Mark V.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:47 pm

Today I assisted my brother in purchasing an old greenie that was sporting a Jointtech ultra precision saw train. This must have been an early version. It was built like a Sherman tank and had a router table built right into the middle. I stood there trying to envision using it. I will confess it was more solid than the shopsmith table I have which hung off the end. When used in the center the shopsmith version had to be set with the tables to high for this shorty to use. The fellow we bought from had built a free standing router table and clearly had never used the jointech table for routing. I suspect for the same reason I couldn't use my table that way. For a tall guy it might be a great setup. Jim

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 9:04 am

The OPR arrived yesterday and I installed it last night in about 2 hours. The instructions were a little short on detail but it wasn't that hard to figure out. Sure glad I installed the lift assist yesterday before attempting this project. So now I guess it's time to cut the slots in the router table and construct Nick's sliding table and fence. This will be my first project on the Shopsmith so wish me luck. Actually it will be my first workworking project. I got the Shopsmith to set me up with something to do when I retire in a few months

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 12:12 pm

fredsheldon wrote:The OPR arrived yesterday and I installed it last night in about 2 hours. The instructions were a little short on detail but it wasn't that hard to figure out. Sure glad I installed the lift assist yesterday before attempting this project. So now I guess it's time to cut the slots in the router table and construct Nick's sliding table and fence. This will be my first project on the Shopsmith so wish me luck. Actually it will be my first workworking project. I got the Shopsmith to set me up with something to do when I retire in a few months

Measure 4x, cut once.

i.e. Make absolutely sure that permanent alterations are what was intended before commencing to make them!:eek:

If the SS instructions are in any way not clear, pass them by these folks so as to prevent any 'mis-understanding'!:rolleyes:

If you are unsure how to make those modifications using the SS, pass that by also!:)

damagi · Post by **damagi** » Wed Jan 25, 2012 4:35 pm

fredsheldon wrote:So now I guess it's time to cut the slots in the router table and construct Nick's sliding table and fence.

Please do take photos to document your process and share them.