Shopsmith Tables Are Not Too Small

[mgbbob]

Here is a set up for cutting long boards using my B&D workmate as a base for a roller stand. Thanks to Doug Reid for showing me the set up.

[WmZiggy]

I been watching the threads on this one with interest because I have heard since I first became aware of SS of the table being too small. I own 2 SS 500's which have the smallest table of the newer models that are out there. Now I use my 500's in saw mode mostly for dado cuts and other special operations as I have a table and radial arm saw. Be that as it is, Below are pictures of building projects that I did on my property using one of my 500's that I hauled up and out of my shop and outside where I used it to build these buildings.

The yard barn which I built in 2002 I spent $17.00 in materials to make all the windows. The small side door I made out of white oak. The building is 15' x 12' well insulated and heated. I built it with my SS 500.

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In 1997 for our 25th wedding anniversary I built the 4 season gazebo pictured below. I built it with my SS 500.

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The interior I did in mahogany and the ceiling was a challenge to cut on my SS 500, but you can see I managed to do it

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I guess I don't give much credence to the blabber about the SS table being too small. Like so much in life, it falls into the realm of "mine is bigger than yours." But does it mean anything?

[dusty]

I been watching the threads on this one with interest because I have heard since I first became aware of SS of the table being too small. I own 2 SS 500's which have the smallest table of the newer models that are out there. Now I use my 500's in saw mode mostly for dado cuts and other special operations as I have a table and radial arm saw. Be that as it is, Below are pictures of building projects that I did on my property using one of my 500's that I hauled up and out of my shop and outside where I used it to build these buildings.

The yard barn which I built in 2002 I spent $17.00 in materials to make all the windows. The small side door I made out of white oak. The building is 15' x 12' well insulated and heated. I built it with my SS 500.

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In 1997 for our 25th wedding anniversary I built the 4 season gazebo pictured below. I built it with my SS 500.

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The interior I did in mahogany and the ceiling was a challenge to cut on my SS 500, but you can see I managed to do it

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I guess I don't give much credence to the blabber about the SS table being too small. Like so much in life, it falls into the realm of "mine is bigger than yours." But does it mean anything?

Your projects are certainly proof positive that, on a table saw, a small table does not limit what can be built (well, maybe no post and beam). Beautiful work.

[reddog5362]

I sort of feel like this argument/discussion isn't going anywhere because it's so a broad and nonspecific. How the saw is being used, operator skill and experience, the material, all these things play into the issue. We'd probably need 20 threads to cover all the situations.
I worked for a while in a cabinet shop with 3 huge table saws. There were times when the 5' x 3' tables were "too small" and others where they were too big. Personally I think a lot of the "too small" arguments that come when ripping long stock are actually fence issues, it's too short. That's pretty easy to fix. Handling full sheets on any table saw is really just a pain mostly because of the size of the stock, and it's why I use a guide and a circular saw.
The two real "complaints" I have with the SS as a table saw are the height of the table, and the tilting table as opposed to a tilting arbor. Neither are showstoppers just things I wish were different. That said my SS may not be quite as good a saw as a unisaw but it's a lot better lathe, boring machine, drill press, sander than any unisaw I've seen. Mine seems to cut a lot of wood and really, that's what matters.

[reddog5362]

Oops almost forgot.

Both buildings look fantastic WmZiggy!

[terrydowning]

My biggest problem with the 500 table size is the width. My rip cuts sometimes are wider than the table and setting the fence on the aux table and and adjusting the headstock/blade to set the width of the cut is a pain. Or worse the width of my rip cuts sometimes seems to be at just the right width to where the fence has to straddle the end of the table and the auxiliary table. Aligning those 2 edges is an even bigger hassle.

Not enough of a hassle to fork over for the upgrade though (even a used upgrade)

[danr]

IMHO - this is all fine and dandy IF what you want is a table saw.

However what I want (and Love) is a Shopsmith multi-purpose tool that is easily and quickly convertible to other uses. Doesn't this table configuration hinder other operations?

BTW - It doesn't hurt (or even touch) my sensibilities to say that my saw table is too small.

The multitool reason is exactly why I decided to buy the Mod 510 17 years ago. I knew that I wanted to tinker with woodworking but did not have the space. When I saw that SS at a home show, I was hooked. Sure it has limitations and shortcomings, but it gets the job done.
Still don't consider myself and expert however, I am a woodworker who intends to get better with each new project.

Dan

[reible]

My biggest problem with the 500 table size is the width. My rip cuts sometimes are wider than the table and setting the fence on the aux table and and adjusting the headstock/blade to set the width of the cut is a pain. Or worse the width of my rip cuts sometimes seems to be at just the right width to where the fence has to straddle the end of the table and the auxiliary table. Aligning those 2 edges is an even bigger hassle.

Not enough of a hassle to fork over for the upgrade though (even a used upgrade)

I've heard of this issue before however I have never experienced it. I got my first machine direct from shopsmith in 1976. I was able to align it with no issues including being able to clamp the rip fence over the seam. My table came with the two blade slots and I took advantage of that.

That machine was later upgraded with the wider tables and once again there were no alignment issues. When I upgraded to a 520 I kept the hardware(for the most part) and still have a selection of the narrow tables.

I have since purchased used 2 more 500's. Neither of these has any alignment issues, one still has narrow tables but I have the wider ones to swap at some point.

Now it could be I've been lucky or it could be I have all matching hardware but they work for me. I have collection of the 4" wide table from when I was buying up the extension tables for the bases. There are noticeable differences in those in the front area so I think I might have 3 or 4 "versions" and I can not tell you from what year they came from. All of my "working" machines were from 1976 to 1980, cann't tell you anything more then that. Also I keep right tables on the right and left tables on the left.

BTW changing from bolts to studs makes the adjustment of the tables much easier. I have a post somewhere here showing how to do that.

Ed

[reible]

Table size is quite adjustable on a shopsmith. Make your own or purchase form shopsmith it's all good. Add some support stands as needed works too.

I've built larger things with my 500 then I have with my 520. Why is that? Well when I was doing thing and had more space I would work on larger projects. Now I work on what I would call small project for the most part. Yea I've got a larger table but work on smaller things now.

I've been woodworking for a lot of year and I don't see any reason that I can't keep doing so with my shopsmith for many more. I could set up to do 3/4" plywood sheets but then I don't know how I'd handle them anymore, it is just a mater of age, that being my age. It is easier to cut them up first then bring the pieces to the shopsmith. If I had a huge table saw I think it likely I'd still cut them up before hand for the same reasons.

In fact if I can I like to buy my plywood cut up because while I have a van that can take a whole 4x8 sheet it also requires me to remove the seats and any thing else in the back first. I can get help loading but the unloading is an effort. Smaller sizes are just plain easier to handle for me.

I've been cleaning up in the garage this last while and came across a rip fence extension for the 500 (not useable any more do to missing parts). It is 4 feet long, mounted on the rip fence and had horizontal supports to the front and rear of the main table. I remember using that many many time. It gave you a narrow table support to both sides of the table and a 4' rip fence to work against.

I once made 6 cabinets, 3 for me and 3 for a friend. Use plywood cut to 7' and ripped to 16"(minus just a little so we could get 3 uprights from the 48" width. They had 3 fixed shelves dado'd in and a rabbit on the back for thinner plywood. In addition each had 3 adjustable shelves plus a few spares. Well you get the idea, even for that the 500 table worked for me and a helper.

I sold my last table saw back in 1978 or so and don't think I'll ever need another one.

My shopsmith is not too big, not too small, but just right for me.

Ed

[brad_nalor]

It has been said by some naysayers that the Shopsmith table is too small. While it is not as large as some, it need not be considered inadequate. With the simple addition of a home built outfeed table and the utilization of two of the extension tables one can easily have a table top that is 34 1/2" x 55".

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Add to this, a Sliding Cross Cut Sled and you can be ready for just about any home shop wood working project imaginable. Well, for the turners out there that is not a true assessment but the Shopsmith solves that problem too.

I like it! One feature of the SS table not fully explained by the company or understood by potential owners is having just the right sized table. This 'do it all' machine gives one the flexibility of adding ONLY if NEEDED. Why do they bother COMPARING sizes? That's whats important. One may not need a massive table OR only occasionally. Dedicated large table saws take up floor space too.

Even the often slighted oldie 10ER as a table saw can grow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9R6Czc47jXo