Shopsmith Router Table vs Stand Along Router Table

[fjimp]

Okay Gentlemen. I fall into the category of one having the shopsmith and incra set up. Later I purchased a free standing Incra table with LS fence and have the ability to raise and lower the router with a crank. I love it for following reasons:
1. I had issues keeping the shopsmith table at proper height.
2. I am a bit short and found it difficult to reach and see my work properly.
3. I also have some skeletal challenges that make changeovers difficult.
4. Incra table stability is perfect no wiggle or give.
5. The ls system offers the most accurate cuts I have ever experienced.
6. The shelf under the table gives me one more place for stuff.
7. I love the crank for setting bit/router height.
8. I am picky and just want things the way I have them.

Having said all of this I encourage you take make a decision that is best for you. I did and bought the Shopsmith table which now hangs on the wall unused. My mistake was selling a perfectly good free standing table way too cheap and then having to pay a premium price to replace it once I realized that was the best solution for me.:D Jim

[JPG]

I am not trying to start a confrontation here. I simply asked a question as to why he thinks his opinion is any more correct than mine. If that is being "UNCOOL" then, that is your opinion, isn't it?

I did not wish to imply you were being 'uncool'! I thought you were miffed that he referred to your opinion as mis-information(or whatever). I 'suggested' you STAY cool! You are reasonable to want an explanation why he thought your 'opinion' was mis-informed(or whatever). I doubt you will get a response(hope I am wrong).

Don't lose any sleep over this!(a friendly suggestion!:) ).

Opinions (being just that) are often neither defensible nor explainable and are usually defined by an individual's own unique experience.

[keakap]

Apparently One Man's Opinion, is another's mis-information.

Nasty Pelosi has simplified the process-- if you have an opinion she doesn't like, you are un-American.

[mreese]

I've read the many discussions about the router tables and benefits of each way of doing it. But I'm left with a question about the Pro Fence router table.

It appears to me that the Pro Fence router table does not include a miter slot.
I guess if it's mounted as a floating table in the center you could use the main table miter slot but it seems a bit far away. A sled could be made to run against the fence but that won't always work. I assume as well that a slot could be added but I'd rather have the factory do that and preserve the table top surface.
I use the miter gauge to rout end grain when needed, as well as many other operations when fence use is not possible (for example, irregular shaped objects which are clamped to a miter gauge jig to run straight grooves in the underside).
Anyone have this table and wanting or not wanting a miter slot? Any information is appreciated as I'm close to the the last day of my "one more item at % off" offer and I thought that this might be a good time to pick up this expensive table.

[dusty]

I've read the many discussions about the router tables and benefits of each way of doing it. But I'm left with a question about the Pro Fence router table.

It appears to me that the Pro Fence router table does not include a miter slot.
I guess if it's mounted as a floating table in the center you could use the main table miter slot but it seems a bit far away. A sled could be made to run against the fence but that won't always work. I assume as well that a slot could be added but I'd rather have the factory do that and preserve the table top surface.
I use the miter gauge to rout end grain when needed, as well as many other operations when fence use is not possible (for example, irregular shaped objects which are clamped to a miter gauge jig to run straight grooves in the underside).
Anyone have this table and wanting or not wanting a miter slot? Any information is appreciated as I'm close to the the last day of my "one more item at % off" offer and I thought that this might be a good time to pick up this expensive table.

To provide a miter slot that was closer than the nearest one in the main table, I added a miter track to a floating table. With that floating table mounted next to the router table, I have a miter slot at the edge of the router table which is still 7" away from the cutting edge.

You could easily route a dado for t track to be installed between the edge of the table and the cutout for the router insert. Shopsmith sells a t track that would be idea for this and the table is thick enough to facilitate the dado without impacting table integrity.

[mreese]

Thanks so much for the comments.
I think the lack of a miter slot on the new Pro Fence router tables is a mistake but that's just my opinion. I'm guessing that there isn't enough space for the standard miter with the the router plate mounted in the center. From the pic of the old table, it looks the mounting might be offset. I agree that I should be able to install my own track though I am afraid of routing or sawing the laminate as well as reluctant to add to my purchase price. (Anyone have a 1 and 3/16 inch straight router bit or a 1 3/16 dado saw blade?)

Despite those reservations, I decided to order a new Pro Fence Router table yesterday. I called SS and was put on hold with a recording which kept suggesting that I could visit their web site but of course this offer says that it must be done over the phone. After about 15 minutes on hold I gave up and went to work. I guess I'm glad to know they are that busy. Last day of the discount for me so the whole purchase has been put on hold.

Lesson learned - Don't order before a long weekend since if they do make an email offer it will take a few days to be able to contact them via phone. Granted, I've got some time zone issues here which are not helping since I'm going to bed as they are waking up. Someday in the future businesses will have email and web sites and you won't have to try and contact people on the phone to purchase things.
Thanks for your help.

[reible]

Hi,

I personally never use the miter slot on a router table. Had you ask me 20 years ago I would have said other wise but then I learned what I think is a better way of doing things. A good deal of this change for me was watching Mr. Router doing things and the PBS show Router Workshop. If interested you might check out:
http://www.routerforums.com/
and the sight that sells the series videos and associated hardware...
http://www.oak-park.com/

I have the jointech version of the table as well as several other router tables without the miter slots and i can not think of any operation that I can not do with these tables. (http://www.jointech.com)

The shopsmith or jointech version (same concept) can be used in several different ways that may not be obvious. I often set the router table up behind my 520 (think extension table brackets) so I can get closer to it and make use of simple fences. I also set it up on the ends using a extension table, connecting tubes to mount the router table and then the telescoping legs. The sky is the limit on being creative with these systems. And yes you can even use it like they show you.

Fence wise I have both a jointech system and a incra system both of which are extremely useful and allow for the cutter to be behind the fence. If I happen to want to use the shopsmith rip fence I do have an attachment that will allow "some" flexibility with bit placement. I believe Ed in Tampa has a nicer version he shared with us sometime back... maybe good to do a search here to find a lot more information on this subject. Key words like router table, incra, jointech... that sort of thing. I have also posted a lot of pictures showing some of these options if you want to search for them).

Ed

I've read the many discussions about the router tables and benefits of each way of doing it. But I'm left with a question about the Pro Fence router table.

It appears to me that the Pro Fence router table does not include a miter slot.
I guess if it's mounted as a floating table in the center you could use the main table miter slot but it seems a bit far away. A sled could be made to run against the fence but that won't always work. I assume as well that a slot could be added but I'd rather have the factory do that and preserve the table top surface.
I use the miter gauge to rout end grain when needed, as well as many other operations when fence use is not possible (for example, irregular shaped objects which are clamped to a miter gauge jig to run straight grooves in the underside).
Anyone have this table and wanting or not wanting a miter slot? Any information is appreciated as I'm close to the the last day of my "one more item at % off" offer and I thought that this might be a good time to pick up this expensive table.