SS Stand-Alone Router Table???

Alan D · Post by **Alan D** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:11 pm

I was surfing CraigsList and inquired about an aluminum router table advertised. It appeard to have a Shopsmith decal which was confirmed by the seller (the owner's daughter). QUESTION: Did Shopsmith offer a stand alone router table at one time? If so any details on it?

Alan

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:24 pm

Yes, it was the first version of the Overhead Pin Router. It can be used as either an overhead router or a standard router table.

Shopsmith stop production of this stand-alone model some years back. They have now reintroduced it as an overhead router system that attaches directly to the Shopsmith in the drill press mode or horizontal boring mode.

The stand-alone system is a very good system if it is in good shape. If you can get one at a decent price it is worth the investment. You can find them on sale every now and again on ebay or craigslist, along with other auction websites.

You do need to have another company's router motor to power it though.

Hope this info helps.

eldyfig · Post by **eldyfig** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:07 pm

I have the stand alone router table. It was fine until I found out the table wasn't flat anymore. This table does not have slots for a fence. Instead, it has threaded inserts. The fence that came with it has approximately 2" slots. If you want to move the fence more than 2", you have to unscrew it all the way and go to the next set of threaded inserts. I prefer the slots on the table.

How much is the one you saw on CL going for? I thought about getting rid of mine. Somebody mentioned something to me about trying to straighten the table. Don't think I feel like messing with that.

mtobey · Post by **mtobey** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 6:57 pm

I have two OPR standalone units, one came with with the original table. There is a member here who wants one and it is going for cost of shipping. They are far from the best tables but do work. It will get the member started. I use Jessem tables for my two OPR's and my Jessem traditional router table-1"( might be 3/4)solid phenolic- no warp, great surface and short of the Pat Warner Special, has the best fence around. One of the Jessems has had a PC 890 series and Router lift FX constantly in it and no sag. They are around $200- but if you want no hassles from your table, these are top of the line.miket

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:01 pm

eldyfig wrote: I prefer the slots on the table.

Or - better yet for me - slots in the fence. This way you can make your own fence(s) which will fit many applications.

ldh · Post by **ldh** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:02 pm

mtobey wrote:I have two OPR standalone units, one came with with the original table. There is a member here who wants one and it is going for cost of shipping. They are far from the best tables but do work. It will get the member started. I use Jessem tables for my two OPR's and my Jessem traditional router table-1"( might be 3/4)solid phenolic- no warp, great surface and short of the Pat Warner Special, has the best fence around. One of the Jessems has had a PC 890 series and Router lift FX constantly in it and no sag. They are around $200- but if you want no hassles from your table, these are top of the line.miket

mtoby,
Please post some pics of your table and fence setup for your OPR.
ldh

Alan D · Post by **Alan D** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 7:03 pm

Come to find out the SS Router Table appears to be the one which may have gone with the stand alone OPR. It comes with the fence and the stand for $75. The information she sent was in error in that the table is MDF not aluminum (See attached). I will take the advice and check to make sure the table is not warped. Is a Parts List available so I can see what is missing from the table itself (not the OPR portion)??

Alan

brown_hawk · Post by **brown_hawk** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:55 pm

Alan,

the only thing I see missing are the three inserts for the plate. Two smaller holes, and one solid that held three different size pins for the pin routing.

You might check and see if the overarm part is around somewhere It may have been taken off at some time. It consists of a single pipe that clamps on the center of the back, and the arm itself. Do a search on OPR and you will find some pictures of the setup.

I've used mine for both pin routing and as a regular router table, and you will like it if you can get the overarm package.

Hawk

Alan D · Post by **Alan D** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 11:35 pm

For those who may be interested, here is an article addressing the use of the old OPR:

http://www.woodshoptips.com/tips/022403/index.htm

Although no real parts list, it does provide some useful information

Alan

sswoodworker48 · Post by **sswoodworker48** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 3:39 pm

Alan,

It looks to me that the table is also missing the OPR base - a U-shaped frame that has a casting attached to the rear where the column is anchored. See Ed Reible's photo set here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12199425@N ... 718316398/
The table looks to be in good shape with no water damage. I got mine on eBay and found, after it was delivered, that the table had some water damage which caused areas of it to expand and therefore it is no longer flat. I have a 1" piece of laminate covered MDF that I am going to use to make a new table for it.

The round table inserts were still available in the Spring of this year when I bought some for mine. If you get it, let me know and I can send you the part numbers. But the wonderful ladies in Customer Service can find them, also.

Rick