Extension Table with a T-Track

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun May 04, 2008 2:57 pm

Every now and then I have wished that there was an extension table with a T-Track.

Well, it won't be long and there will be.

Hawk came up with a situation where he needed to use the cross cut sled to cross cut stock that was 24" wide. This exceeds the capacity of the Shopsmith Cross-Cut Sled because the miter bar becomes disengaged when the sled is pulled that far back. This also spurred me into action to resolve my long time issue.

This modification provides for a sled with virtually no unwanted movement of the miter bars in the T-Tracks. I have mounted dual miter bars on other sleds and it works well. This installation will be a challenge because it relies on accurate alignment of the T-Track on the extension table to the T-Track in the main table.

I am in the process of attaching a T-Track to the left side of my right hand extension table. The T-Track will be installed in such a manner that it can be removed if not needed or it interfers with a different setup.

I am also going to modify my sled to accept a 2nd miter bar.

chiroindixon · Post by **chiroindixon** » Sun May 04, 2008 3:25 pm

Building infeed/outfeed tables using leftover 500 parts, fixes the problem of the crosscut sled miter bar backing out of the 520/510 table slot......Just line the infeed table miter bar slot up and Voila, a gain of another 18 or so inches....Hawk's problem is no more.

To add to another thread here, yes, I see the need for an infeed table often. I just finished ripping 8' lengths of pine 1x12 to shim door frames. Using both an infeed and an outfeed table made my work easier and safer. My roller stands are collecting dust out in the barn.

Your other idea of an additional miter slot I was toying with on Friday. My solution is about the same. But I'm waiting to see Nick's methods for cutting miters with the table tilted. I get the sense I'll get some needed input for my design. I believe we are both thinking a sled might work better with the tilted table.....at least I do.....so far.

And I too would gladly buy a floating table with miter slot......

Doc

Nick · Post by **Nick** » Sun May 04, 2008 3:25 pm

I hate to say it because nobody likes competition, Dusty, but did you ever think about writing a woodworking book? (Yet another) good idea. We ought to start collecting these somewhere on the Academy web site for easy reference.

With all good wishes,

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sun May 04, 2008 4:32 pm

Hey Dusty,

Now there is a true compliment. From the master himself.

jim

brown_hawk · Post by **brown_hawk** » Sun May 04, 2008 6:39 pm

Dang, Dusty, I ain't had time to try the last idea yet!

An doc is right about the old 500 table, except for the "coin" on the bottom of the newer miter bars. But you can take it off if you have to.

And if you and Nick can figure out what my next problem is going to be, and have is solved by the time I get there, I would deeply appreciate it!:D

All kidding aside, I really appreciate the thought you're putting into this for me.

Hawk

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun May 04, 2008 7:01 pm

brown_hawk wrote:Dang, Dusty, I ain't had time to try the last idea yet!

An doc is right about the old 500 table, except for the "coin" on the bottom of the newer miter bars. But you can take it off if you have to.

Hawk

Hawk, I'm trying to combine that with this so that they come out of "concept" at the same time.

If you have not taken a close look at Doc's 500 Table/Carriage conversion, you need to. It is a really neat arrangement. It is a fantastic way to utilize harvested parts and it provides many services that are needed in any shop but especially any Shopsmith shop.

I appreciate your kind comments but actually I owe you the thanks. I have thought about this little project many times and just never did anything with it. Your post got me off dead center on this.

I have been restricted by my optometrist and by SWMBO as to what I do in the shop. Sawdust being the primary concern. So I have been cleaning up little projects that I have let go and this one excited me so it jumped to the top of the list.

The two photos that I posted in this thread depict fairly accurately what I am attempting.

I hope to have the concept turned into an installed t-track tomorrow. The sled modification will then follow.

brown_hawk · Post by **brown_hawk** » Sun May 04, 2008 7:28 pm

dusty wrote:Hawk, I'm trying to combine that with this so that they come out of "concept" at the same time.

If you have not taken a close look at Doc's 500 Table/Carriage conversion, you need to. It is a really neat arrangement. It is a fantastic way to utilize harvested parts and it provides many services that are needed in any shop but especially any Shopsmith shop.

I appreciate your kind comments but actually I owe you the thanks. I have thought about this little project many times and just never did anything with it. Your post got me off dead center on this.

I have been restricted by my optometrist and by SWMBO as to what I do in the shop. Sawdust being the primary concern. So I have been cleaning up little projects that I have let go and this one excited me so it jumped to the top of the list.

The two photos that I posted in this thread depict fairly accurately what I am attempting.

I hope to have the concept turned into an installed t-track tomorrow. The sled modification will then follow.

Yeah, I've been going through the old posts and reviewing all of them, and Doc's was one of them that I really liked. I was looking seriously at building that when your post got me thinking about something that I would only need one leg for. My basement floor is a real pain that way.

Now I've got to go through and see where all my 500 and 510 parts might be. The problem is if I start implementing all the good ideas here, I'll never get these cabinets made.

And I just posted how to save your eyes by making an electric height finder for your saws, bits and dados. Hope it helps some.

Hawk

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun May 04, 2008 8:23 pm

Nick wrote:I hate to say it because nobody likes competition, Dusty, but did you ever think about writing a woodworking book? (Yet another) good idea. We ought to start collecting these somewhere on the Academy web site for easy reference.

With all good wishes,

O.K. Dusty! The request has been issued. You should really send these photos to Nick. You will probably get a couple of "Engler Books" for your efforts.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sun May 04, 2008 8:30 pm

Hey Dusty while your wood working activity is restricted would be the perfect time to write that wood working book. Hey the jigs you design couldn't help but be a best seller. Move over Nick you ask for it:) Jim

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon May 05, 2008 7:22 pm

I will no longer yearn for an extension table with a t-track because I now have one.

I used a t-track that I bought from Shopsmith years ago. Temporarily relocated a miter bar from a small dual miter crosscut table that I have in the works and a piece of aluminum angle iron.

The t-track is longer than the Shopsmith table (infeed to outfeed) and I didn't cut it off; I just used it that way for reasons that will become apparent.

With this t-track there, I just had to find a way to employ it. I modified my crosscut sled to a two rail system. I believe I get getter lateral stability. Time and a couple projects will be the proof (good or bad).