mark v mini

[nuhobby]

Bill,

I will "weigh in" after some more time with my OPR which came in just 1 week ago. It is installed on my old chopped 500 headless carcass but I've only set that up in "reversed" vertical mode so far (table and OPR situated above bench tubes rather than above the extreme end). I think I'll like my chop dimensions even in horizontal mode, but I haven't tried that. I also haven't checked the overall balancing if my chopped unit is in standard vertical drill-press rather than "reversed" vertical setup. Lots to play with, but not much time to do so lately....

[nuhobby]

Hi Again,

FYI, here is my initial OPR setup. It is an old 500 machine with 19 inches removed from each of the 4 tubes. As yet I still haven't used it much and haven't changed config's, but I'm looking forward to trying it....

Also, I recall months ago somebody mentioned their OPR table was slightly mis-drilled for matching the 500-style-table insert-screw tapped holes. In my case there is no problem at all, so it sounds like the latest OPR production is very refined.

Best Regards,

[JPG]

Looks GREAT! Interesting color scheme. Novel use of an extension table(I would add padding)!:D

[charlese]

..... It is installed on my old chopped 500 headless carcass but I've only set that up in "reversed" vertical mode so far (table and OPR situated above bench tubes rather than above the extreme end). ...

Let us know how that set up works for you. I think it would kill my back, unless I had a saddle for the support tubes.

[JPG]

Let us know how that set up works for you. I think it would kill my back, unless I had a saddle for the support tubes.

Did you not figure out what the extension table was for???

[nuhobby]

Hey Chuck,

Actually it's not very short; the OPR table is around elbow level when I'm standing. I'd bet it's not much different than your Mark V OPR set-up, other than for the moment the table is hovering over the bench-tubes rather than over thin air. The lengths are such that the only thing missing is the standard Mark V headstock which would be situated at the 'missing' 19 inches of way tubes toward the top.
Anyway I plan to try it and go from there. If I get irritated with the bench tubes being in the way, I'll turn the table & Arm around the other way. If there is any balance concern then, I can put my jointer on the end to anchor it. (The jointer is pound-for-pound a great anchor!)

[JPG]

I would have thought the extension table was intended to be a SEAT!!!!

[charlese]

There are two concerns I would have here. This set up may be O.K. for some pin routing, where it would get tiresome is doing edge work or mortising. You just couldn't do any horizontal routing until you turn it around, but give it a try this way! You may like it. What ever works!

To answer a question, my table is usually set up at about workbench height. Yes, I sit on a stool to do some repetitive work.

[nuhobby]

Hello,

No more pictures right now, but here are my summary comments:

(1.) The OPR Attachment will work on a 500 system just fine.

(2.) The availability of very cheap 500 legs/tubes/tables makes it attractive as a stand-alone OPR platform if one has the space.

(3.) The reduction from standard tube lengths is attractive but must be done judiciously per following considerations. Bill Mayo suggests a "Shorty" with tubes reduced 18" from stock. I did 19" of chopping from my own eye-balling, so my comments below should apply pretty well to Bill's suggestion too.

(4.) With worktable & OPR Arm facing "inward" (as shown in my earlier photo): This is a minimal-floor-space configuration. Without the vertical tube-lock, the tendency weight-wise is for the way-tubes to fall down onto the horizontal position. So the vertical tube-lock (drill press lock) and an adjustable support tube are recommended as I showed. Chuck has pointed out this method can be awkward.

(5.) With worktabe & OPR Arm facing "outward" -- normal pin-routing system: The balance on a "shorty" is just about even. It will be a more stable system if you add weight to the accessory-tube-mount area at the opposite end. It covers a bit more floorspace than above. The adjustable support tube (available from Shopsmith) is still recommended.

(6.) In Horizontal mode: Balance is obviously a non-issue. The Shorty has sufficient length to accommodate the table and the router arm for the intended operations. Here it's not easy to pack in an adjustable support tube, but the need is minimal in this case.

I just wanted to clarify these points. If you get a Shorty, you need to remove the Mark V headstock in order to have enough room for the OPR. Once you remove that heavy headstock -- which the creator ingeniously balanced by design over 50 years ago -- you have to pay a little more attention to balancing.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to using this machine!

[JPG]

I am Disappointed the 'counter balance' is NOT a seat. In my case it would have to be a new wide one anyway. Since it is a counter balance and NOT a seat, why not a store a jointer there?:D