Making a plywood table extender for a Mark V

[kas20amc02]

Hi everyone. I’m both a relatively new woodworker and Shopsmith user. I have been frustrated with the small size of the SS table, particularly when cross cutting but also ripping. I have tried using the tables with the adjustable legs but that is cumbersome, time consuming, leaves a large gap the stock still has to cross, and doesn’t rectify the lack of front support. I have used my work bench as an off feed table with some success.

Thinking about solutions, I considered a U shaped or possibly C shaped piece of plywood resting on the existing table with cut outs for the fence. This would give a few inches of extra space on each side. It would need a groove for the miter bar.

Has anyone done this, or something better? Is this a dumb idea?


Many thanks,
Karl

[kas20amc02]

Red shading is a rough idea of the U shaped piece of plywood. Could also make a doughnut shape with a few inches of wood extending for an enlarged out feed table.

[kas20amc02]

PS: this picture also shows the terrible misalignment of the tables. But thanks to Shopsmith Mark 4/7/520 (ie Steve) that is now fixed!

[edflorence]

I agree the outfeed table sold by Shopsmith is less than ideal, but easy and effective enlargements to the table that I use on my 500 are: first, the sliding cross-cut table with extension tables mounted on both ends of the Shopsmith and second, roller stands on the infeed and outfeed sides for long ripping.

[kas20amc02]

I agree the outfeed table sold by Shopsmith is less than ideal, but easy and effective enlargements to the table that I use on my 500 are: first, the sliding cross-cut table with extension tables mounted on both ends of the Shopsmith and second, roller stands on the infeed and outfeed sides for long ripping.

Thanks

[DLB]

The table extension, as you've sketched it, looks like it would preclude (or complicate) anchoring the main table to the extension table with connector tubes. Give some thought to main table stability and whether or not this is important to you. I'd estimate that I'm stabilizing my main table using this method around 95% of the time that I'm using the TS. I use the SS 510/520/M7 extension brackets (https://www.shopsmith.com/product-page/ ... racket-set) for infeed/outfeed extension when needed. With these I can often just fold the extension down when not needed, which makes setup pretty quick. They are expensive and often necessitate additional floating tables.

Note - For reasons not known to me, some 510/520/M7 main table systems exhibit more inherent instability than others.

- David

[chapmanruss]

In the manual it shows different table configurations as seen in the picture below. All but the bottom right can be done with the standard tables that come with the Mark V 510 or 520. The standard Connector Tubes are 27" long and there is a 5' long Connector Tube that is also available. It allows for a single Connector Tube to be used spanning more than double the 27" Connector Tubes.

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Besides the extra width that can be gained from above, David posted a link to the online catalog that can provide infeed and/or outfeed support. The brackets allow you to have the Floating Tables in line with the Main Table. You can do a similar setup without the brackets by using a single connector tube in the Main Table and adding Floating Table to either side extending in front or to the rear of the main Table. Unfortunately, I cannot find John Burger's picture showing that, but it has been posted by Shopsmith on the website and in Forum postings. Hopefully John will see this and post that picture to better show how it is done.

Another option for additional outfeed support is adding a table like the one below. It is similar to one Shopsmith sold but differs having the support "leg" attached to the bottom of the Main Table Post.

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outfeed table 1.jpg (96.38 KiB) Viewed 110364 times

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Just some ideas to think about.

[RFGuy]

Unfortunately, I cannot find John Burger's picture showing that, but it has been posted by Shopsmith on the website and in Forum postings. Hopefully John will see this and post that picture to better show how it is done.

Russ,

I am not here. Because you have always been so helpful to me and others, you can find the pic at the thread below. Yes, it is from John and it is an impressive setup.

viewtopic.php?p=280002#p280002

[chapmanruss]

The attached picture show the Setup I mentioned in my previous post from John Burger.

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John B infeed-outfeed setup.jpg (148.42 KiB) Viewed 110001 times

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This setup does require the following additional parts. One Extension Table, two Floating Tables, four 27" Connector Tubes (or, as shown, two 27" Connector Tubes & one 5' Connector Tube) and two Adjustable Support Legs. Just an Infeed or Outfeed setup like the one above can be done with the included parts of the Model 510 or 520.

Thank you RFGuy.

[DLB]

Doug Reed also did a short video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg9JazGDRag) on using the 510/520 extension table and one floating table to make an outfeed table with only 'standard' components. In the video Doug says (~3:19) this can also be used for infeed, though I don't think that is correct. Like the brackets, this puts the outfeed table in line with the main table. I've used the John Burger setup as well, for me I found it worked really well for sheet goods. For most other work I want the expanded infeed/outfeed support in line with the main table.

Because I prefer stabilizing my main table by tying it to the extension table, I'm not a big fan of this Doug Reed solution unless you have two extension tables. However I have tried it and found it to be excellent, it's much more stable than I would have guessed. (I used the 520 version.)

- David