Freestanding OPR inserts

recurvearcher · Post by **recurvearcher** » Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:12 am

I'm in the process of putting together an old freestanding version of the OPR system. I have two inserts for the bottom router plate. One is the pin insert with the brass threads. One is the 2" open insert for general routing. I have seen mention of a third that will support guide bushings (1 3/4?). Does anyone know if this exists or perhaps has a part number. The 2" insert looks to be milled with a recess for bushings,but I have never seen a 2" bushing set. Nothing is mentioned in the manual and my search so far has been unsuccessful.Any help would be welcome!

reible · Post by **reible** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 12:53 am

Hi,

I am an owner and advocate for the old style OPR.

However I can not answer what bushings were designed to fit that hole. I have asked around, I've searched the web for bushing of that size, I've even purchased a few to test with, all in vain. If anyone ever finds out I'd sure like to know about it.

Since I like to use bushings and since at the time shopsmith still had some of the table inserts so I made my own (I believe I have since heard those parts are no longer around). I think I may have even posted the "how to" with pictures here... (or was it at the other site???) anyway I went with the oak-park style bushing sizes (1-3/4" counter bore, 1-1/2" though hole). This allows me to use plate inserts as well as the guide bushings which I feel you really need as the standard hole is to large to work well with smaller bits and of course the safety issues.

If you have heard about a 1-3/4" one it may because of my posts, so far as I know no one else has done this... and it could be that if the post is here it maybe missing the pictures that were once located at picture site but have since been removed. I will spend a little time tonight to see if I can find that post.

Ed

recurvearcher · Post by **recurvearcher** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:19 am

Thanks for the reply. I think it was one of your old posts where I read of the insert. I'll probably try and make one out of one of the pin router inserts. I have a Woodline Route-R-Joint System I would like to use on the undermount table. No hurry, I'm probably won't have everything together for a few weeks.

reible · Post by **reible** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 1:29 am

I did find the post but the bad news is the description was at ssug and the old system they had so it is gone. The pictures were posted at the original yahoo photo site that disappeared... and then were moved to a "free" site that was only free for a short while and then I had to either pay or remove... some of the photo's came here, some less viewed ones I erases and I have a collection of ones I saved but never re-posted. I have to look through those for someone else anyway so I'll have to see if these show up or not.

That will not happen until some time early April...

Ed

Ron309753 · Post by **Ron309753** » Wed Mar 17, 2010 3:47 am

I got three inserts when I got my OPR. One insert has a 1¾” hole, the second has a ¾” hole, and the third has a brass threaded insert. The part # for the one with the 1¾” hole is 515498, and the part # for the one with the threaded insert is 515497. The one with the 1¾” also has a milled recess (rabbet) on the bottom of it. The diameter of the rabbet is 2". I also do not know what that is for, except to guess that the motor housing of some router would fit up into it.
I assumed the one with the ¾” hole was a standard item, but since I could not find a part # for it in the manual I'm thinking that it was a pin insert that was drilled out to accept a bushing. I have two of the ones with the 1¾” hole (515498) so if you need one send me a PM. The should be a parts list and exploded diagram in the manual. If you are missing that send me a PM and I'll email them to you.

Sincerely,

Ron309753

recurvearcher · Post by **recurvearcher** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 12:18 am

I went a head and included the 515497 insert with my order for the latest email special" Drill Press Vice". With any luck the insert is still available, I last ordered/received one in June. As time allows I'll modify it to accept Porter Cable bushings.I have two of the 515497's now ,this will give me an extra in case my attempts to modify it go badly.In gathering parts for the OPR ,I went a tad overboard and almost have enough parts for a second.Funny how that happens. This forum is one if the most valuable aspects of owning Shopsmith tools. Once again Thank You to all who responded