5 Foot Connector Tubes.

doug45601 · Post by **doug45601** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:12 am

A few years back when I ordered my upgrade for 510 to 520 I received a set of 5 foot connector tubes. Have never used them and they are still in the cardboard tube they came it. Not sure but I believe at one time they were offered as a free bonus with the upgrades.

Just would like to know if anyone uses them? Myself, I have never seen the need for them but I could also be creating more work then necessary by using the 2 foot tubes where the 5 foot ones would be of better use?!

Unless there is a real good need for them, I'm going to get rid of them or will end up using them for an un-intended purpose!

BigSky · Post by **BigSky** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:21 am

Using the 5' tubes can be a blessing while at the same time be a PITA. When installed they tie the Main Table to the Extension Table(s). Doing this makes for a very stable setup. I think it was Nick you made some sort of reference to it changing from a two legged to a four legged stance. While more stable it also hinders making any changes to the setup.

Before you get rid of them you should do a setup and see for yourself. I have cut mine to a length that better fits my most frequent setup while allowing me to make changes without tearing everything down.

rkh2 · Post by **rkh2** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 9:40 am

Doug

Besides the previous post about using them for more stable extension table setups, I have the SS router table and they make it possible to have both the main table set up along with the router table. Seeing that they do not take up much room, I personally would keep them. I only use mine when I need them for a table set up that the standard tubes don't provide. Just my opinion.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 10:10 am

I have the 5 foot tubes and I puzzle over them myself. I have tried them in many setups but they seem to be too long. I'm tempted to cut them to a length that will let them tie the main table with the aux and two floating tables. But so far I haven't been able to bring mysel to the point of actually cutting them.

When I ordered them I had grand ideas of cutting huge sheets of ply on my SS, but since then I learned to it was far better, easier and less dangerous to cut the sheets using a guided saw. I guess I'm pass the time of life where I tried to horse 4x8 sheets of anything around.

I suspect with all the great ideas that float around this forum that sooner or later someone is going to discover/invent something that the 5 foot tubes will be essential to accomplish. Until then mine are sitting in the shipping tube like yours.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 1:56 pm

I will accept donations at any time. If you need my address just drop me a PM.

I have two sets of 5' tubes. No, that is not true. I have a set of 5' tubes and another set that has been cut. With the first set that one of you contributes, I will cut them to replace the pieces of EMT (which has a slightly smaller OD) that I use now.

I believe that if you want real precision from the Shopsmith you need to be using these tubes regularly. Without them the unwanted movement that is inherent in the carriage, main table and extension tables withot them makes that precision unlikely.

I know that there are those who will disagree but that is OK. We each have our own opinions. You have just heard one of mine.

reible · Post by **reible** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 3:57 pm

Hi,

I have the 5' tubes and find lots of uses for them.

If you have or get a router table they come in handy for that and if you have or get either the Jointech or Incra system you will want them for sure.

As far as stability I don't know if Nick mentioned it but I have a post dating back a long while where I mentioned it:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?p=6177

They really don't take up much space so even if you don't use them I still would keep them around because if you are an active woodworker you will someday find a good reason to have them.

If nothing else sell them to Dusty, I think he also uses them to fend off snakes in the shop.... I don't think those snakes would fair so well up where I live where we were -20.9 last night, now we have warmed to -1.9, even the shop is at 25.9. Ya know those snakes are not sounding so bad right now...

Ed

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 4:28 pm

I can tie my main table and my aux and one floating table together using the normal length tubes. This is what I normally do. I did use the normal length to support a floating table on each side of my main but I think it was Nick that warned that it was dangerous because the on/off switch was covered the left floating table.

My normal config now is to have my main table without anything and my aux with one floating. Once I get my main table positioned I adjust my aux and slide the connector tube into the main.

That way to make any height change or anything all I need to do is loosen the connector tube fasterners on my main table and slide it way from the Aux table.

Before I gave my tubes away I would cut them just long enough to allow me to have my aux with a floating table on either side and enough tube sticking out on the headstock side to allow it be locked into the main table. about 3 - 3.5 feet tube would do nicely.

shydragon · Post by **shydragon** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 7:01 pm

I have two sets. One set I bought, the other came with the Incra system. One set is still in the tubes. The other set, I use all the time, in fact, I don't even use the original tubes that came with the SS. When installed, I have floating table to left of main, to the right I have router table, extension table and another floating table. It really ties everything together, very stable.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 8:26 pm

I use my 5' tubes almost all of the time. My infrequent use of the standard tubes often finds they are too short for the application and a table must be moved to accommodate them. In other words - the standard tubes have become a pain in the a** for me.

If the 5 footers are too long for an application, I just let them stick out. After all it'll be only several cuts. I love to connect them through the main table to a axillary table - This steadies the whole works, and if I need a floating table on the other side of the main table, it's easy to slide on and eureka it's solid.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Sat Jan 17, 2009 12:15 am

When at a TA, Rick Davis demonstrated the Incra system. With the 5' tubes and a dedicated floating table, you can have the whole set up with the router table and all, ready to slide into place at any time. You do knot have to disassemble anything, just slide the whole unit on and off.