Shopsmith router table?

delong94 · Post by **delong94** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 2:19 pm

Does anyone have any reviews/comments about the Shopsmith router table?
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... rtable.htm
Currently there are no reviews on the site.
Thanks!

shipwright · Post by **shipwright** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 2:59 pm

Have a look at this thread. It might save you several bucks.

delong94 · Post by **delong94** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 3:34 pm

Thanks. I was thinking about making my own table too. I could use a spare mounting bracket & tubes from an extra 4.5 inch extension table from my 500 and mount the table to it. I'd have to make the cuts for the t slot, make a fence, and get a table insert to mount the router. I found this plan on-line and could modify it: http://www.familyhandyman.com/tools/rou ... ep-by-step

db5 · Post by **db5** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:57 pm

[ATTACH]24800[/ATTACH][ATTACH]24798[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]24799[/ATTACH]

I'll post details later but these are three pictures. I probably will create a Word document so that it can be sent to anyone who wants it with detailed instructions. I would not have posted this early but think it may save you some money and effort building from scratch.These are only two of several pictures. I'll follow up later this week with more details.

Details also means what didn't work and unnecessary steps.

If anyone wants a Word document with step-by-step instructions PM me with your email. They won't follow for a few weeks but I will make note of your email address and send them.

delong94 · Post by **delong94** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 6:25 am

Very nice. I have a old 500, so I will have to get creative.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 8:03 am

db5 wrote:[ATTACH]24800[/ATTACH][ATTACH]24798[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]24799[/ATTACH]

I'll post details later but these are three pictures. I probably will create a Word document so that it can be sent to anyone who wants it with detailed instructions. I would not have posted this early but think it may save you some money and effort building from scratch.These are only two of several pictures. I'll follow up later this week with more details.

Details also means what didn't work and unnecessary steps.

If anyone wants a Word document with step-by-step instructions PM me with your email. They won't follow for a few weeks but I will make note of your email address and send them.

I would not have chosen that wood species for my table top. Is it truly smooth or is the grain evident in the finished table top?

db5 · Post by **db5** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 9:45 am

dusty wrote:I would not have chosen that wood species for my table top. Is it truly smooth or is the grain evident in the finished table top?

Everything, except the tubes and some nuts, was scrap that I had available. The grain is running the wrong direction, which created a problem. The top is very smooth.

bffulgham · Post by **bffulgham** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 10:55 am

delong94 wrote:Does anyone have any reviews/comments about the Shopsmith router table?
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... rtable.htm
Currently there are no reviews on the site.
Thanks!

I have one that was included in the 'package' I bought from an individual about 8 years ago. I was not very impressed with the SS table.

The plastic router plate was bowed. Apparently the PO left the router mounted to the plate and hanging in the table. I think that could be an issue with any plastic/phenolic plate.

While the ability to mount the router table on the end of my 510 was a neat space-saver, it just didn't work out for the way I needed things set up. The table is also too small for me to easily handle larger items.....especially doing raised panels.

Another issue I had was the stock router plate was small which made it very difficult to get my Milwaukee router in and out of the table. I got a larger aluminum plate from Rockler.

Here's what mine looks like now after I made a bench-top router table out of it:

The power switch is one of the best investments I've made....a great safety feature.
[ATTACH]24811[/ATTACH]

There is a replaceable/sacrificial insert in the middle of the fence so I can create 'custom' zero-clearance-inserts to prevent tear-out.
[ATTACH]24812[/ATTACH]

The leading edge of the fence pivots using a threaded insert in the table.
[ATTACH]24813[/ATTACH]

My high-tech fence stop for the free end.
[ATTACH]24814[/ATTACH]

I put threaded inserts under each corner of the router plate for leveling screws.
[ATTACH]24815[/ATTACH]

If the table had not been included in all of the stuff I bought, I would not have spent the $$ to get the SS version. It's still on the to-do list to build my own router table to the specs that I want.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:05 am

bffulgham wrote:I have one that was included in the 'package' I bought from an individual about 8 years ago. I was not very impressed with the SS table.

The plastic router plate was bowed. Apparently the PO left the router mounted to the plate and hanging in the table. I think that could be an issue with any plastic/phenolic plate.

While the ability to mount the router table on the end of my 510 was a neat space-saver, it just didn't work out for the way I needed things set up. The table is also too small for me to easily handle larger items.....especially doing raised panels.

Another issue I had was the stock router plate was small which made it very difficult to get my Milwaukee router in and out of the table. I got a larger aluminum plate from Rockler.

Here's what mine looks like now after I made a bench-top router table out of it:

The power switch is one of the best investments I've made....a great safety feature.
[ATTACH]24811[/ATTACH]

There is a replaceable/sacrificial insert in the middle of the fence so I can create 'custom' zero-clearance-inserts to prevent tear-out.
[ATTACH]24812[/ATTACH]

The leading edge of the fence pivots using a threaded insert in the table.
[ATTACH]24813[/ATTACH]

My high-tech fence stop for the free end.
[ATTACH]24814[/ATTACH]

I put threaded inserts under each corner of the router plate for leveling screws.
[ATTACH]24815[/ATTACH]

If the table had not been included in all of the stuff I bought, I would not have spent the $$ to get the SS version. It's still on the to-do list to build my own router table to the specs that I want.

Other than being too small, I do not detect anything that you believe is wrong with this table. Is that a correct assessment of what you have written.

I also have one and yes it is small but for some router tasks a large table is not necessary.

My router remains installed all the time and I don't believe it has warped the table insert. That could well be just a difference in what the insert is made of. Mine is a black phenolic. Black being non-consequential.

bffulgham · Post by **bffulgham** » Tue Apr 22, 2014 11:18 am

Dusty,
Nope, nothing really "wrong" with the table. I just think one can get a whole lot more bang for the buck with a DIY router table.
Shipwright and DB5 have come up with the best space-saver models that I've seen. And, they pretty much solved the "too small" issue by being able to use the aux and main tables.

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