Sliding Cross-Cut Table - A Modification

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:33 pm

I have often watched Norm use his sliding cross-cut table and wondered why Shopsmith didn't build theirs in a similar fashion. With Norm's, the cutoff point is matched to the blade. He made it long and then cut it off. Therefore the edge of the table equals the "cut line".

I've thought about simply relocating the miter bar on mine and doing the same thing. Just never got around to it.

Today I was setting up to use the cross-cut table and realized I needed the Auxillary Table as well. As I mounted it, I again gave thought to the four sets of holes in that Auxillary Table. Just why are there four sets of holes, three of which I have never used?

Well today I have a bit better idea why, I think.

One set of holes, not the set I have been using all these years, places the Auxillary Table and the Cross-Cut Table right up against one another.

The blade is out of sight under the Auxillary Table. Well, it was out of sight - but no more! I lowered the table as I would cut zero clearance inserts. It worked great.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:50 pm

Dusty,

That is a way cool zero clearance 'insert?" you got there. Never seen it done that way on any sled that I have seen. Good thinking. I've seen sleds that the blade travels down the middle, stops on both the infeed and outfeed ends of the sled, and of course having the cut-off right next to the edge of the sled (the standard type) that Shopsmith designed their's to do.

I would just make sure that the blade slot you cut and the aux. table stays aligned with the sled table. This might cause a slight angle cut if you're not careful with alignment and could also possibly cause your sled to get jammed against the aux. table while moving it passed the blade.

I have the Incra sled and it has several points for alignment. It also has some metal in it and if I tried what you did I'm afraid my blade might touch the metal and ruin both the blade and the off-cut part of the sled.

You sure do come up with some custom ideas for your accessories. Now if I can only convince you about the .001" measurements, we would be golden.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:10 pm

Thank you for your comments and your concerns regarding alignments. Yes, this is not as sophisticated as the Incra. I would have an Incra but it doesn't have a place in my budget.

Please explain, what are you trying to convince me of regarding .001" measurements.

I may already be a convert.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:27 pm

Sorry Dusty, I may have you confused with someone else as far as the .001" measurements are concerned. I thought I read a post by you that said that these type of measurements would be "too precise" for woodworking. Sorry if it wasn't you.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:43 pm

I have previously felt that measurements accurate to within .001" was unnecessary in woodworking and unachievable with standard equipment like the Shopsmith.

I now believe that the Shopsmith is much more capable of performance against real accurate measurements than I did before.

Whether or not it is necessary to devote the required time to maintain this level of accuracy for "home projects" I believe can still be debated.

I do have the Wixey, the Dial Indicator, a digital caliper, a quality engineer's square and a couple real fine steel rules that allow me to measure much more accurately than I can cut, much more accuarately than any of my projects demand.

Time will tell. One thing that is for certain, I won't be spending any big bucks to achieve accuracy greater than I can achieve with what I have now. Repeatability is another story or should I say another thread.

paul heller · Post by **paul heller** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:43 pm

Wow. It just might be time for me to buy that auxiliary table now to complement the sliding table I already have.

This is very interesting, Dusty. I wonder it it was specifically designed with this idea in mind.

Paul

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:30 pm

Paul,

The instruction sheets that came with the table say nothing about doing this.

I just wonder what the other three sets of holes are for. I set up today using all four sets. This set that I am using is the only one that makes any sense.

I don't know why I spent all these years without trying anything other than the one that was set when I received it.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu May 01, 2008 12:03 am

Nice going, Dusty!!! But who lowered the table for you & made sawdust? Huh? - Huh?

Careful! Someone will tell!!

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Thu May 01, 2008 12:06 am

charlese wrote:Nice going, Dusty!!! But who lowered the table for you & made sawdust? Huh? - Huh?

Careful! Someone will tell!!

Shhhh, Chuck!

tut tut Dusty!

timster68 · Post by **timster68** » Thu May 01, 2008 5:20 pm

Do all the Aux tables have the 4 holes? I'll have to look at mine tonight and see. If so, I don't recall any documention about the use for the other holes. Interesting.