How Flat is a Flat Table?

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 10:40 am

Yes granite.

From what I'm told after Delta casts their cast iron table tops and before they grind them they allow them to season for a period of time. How long I don't know for sure but it seems someone said 6 months.

In any case as manufacturing moved to China; Steel City, Ridgid, Delta and few others switched to granite tops. They claim perfect flatness that isn't effected by humidity or stress. Many also manufactured jointers tables, drill press tables and even one or two planer tables out of the stuff.

I think the granite met with mixed acceptance. Most users liked the idea of it not rusting and the flatness but many complained because non of the new magnetic fixtures would work on them. Also there was a question of durability, would the miter t-slot chip out and also the edge of the table.

In any case table flatness is a recognized desireable thing and fact that some of the SS tables were warped is distressing. Also the fact that trunnions can warp them also to me says there is something wrong.

I'm of the opinion the table should be perfectly flat no more than a
.001" varation across the whole face. To me flat means flat.

Certainly not .040" variation front to back or across the width.

I still have to check my tables. Perhaps I will get a chance today to check them and report back.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 12:45 pm

Ed, I have said this in the past but I believe it once again warrants repeating.

Set a price on your Shopsmith equipment and get rid of it. It is time for you to go buy Delta or Jet or Powermatic. When you do, make sure you get a granite table that does not tilt and you can read the protractor without bending over.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 5:30 pm

For crying out loud! This is a multi-purpose table that we be jabbering about!

"FLAT" granite is what machinists use for a 'surface plate' to precisely layout things, not nibble on wood that is inherently dimensionally unstable!

Yes they also worry about 'dropping' things onto it and damaging it.

If you really need 'flatness' to .001, then obtain a milling machine.

Just my HO!;)

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 7:38 pm

Hey Look Everyone Dusty asked what was flat.
I said flat is flat and I think SS allows .005" variation.

I did say I thought .005 was fine for tablesaw tables but for multi purpose .005 can effect things like biscuit jointery. Now if that is upsetting to people I'm sorry. But let us get real Shopsmith isn't perfect.

I only mentioned granite tops as it is my understanding they are flat. Of course they would be too heavy for Shopsmith.

The idea that someone can't have and express an opinion unless it is ultra pro Shopsmith is nonsense.

As far as selling my Shopsmith I have thought about it but the market value of them has tanked and I probably couldn't get 1/8 of what I paid for it, even though I bought in back in mid 80's and have kept as new.

Now if you guys want me to shut up and leave the forum fine but I'm not going to pretend that Shopsmith doesn't have short falls.

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 7:48 pm

[quote="Ed in Tampa"]Yes granite.

From what I'm told after Delta casts their cast iron table tops and before they grind them they allow them to season for a period of time. How long I don't know for sure but it seems someone said 6 months.

In any case as manufacturing moved to China]

Delta has granite top saws?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 8:29 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:Hey Look Everyone Dusty asked what was flat.
I said flat is flat and I think SS allows .005" variation.

I did say I thought .005 was fine for tablesaw tables but for multi purpose .005 can effect things like biscuit jointery. Now if that is upsetting to people I'm sorry. But let us get real Shopsmith isn't perfect.

I only mentioned granite tops as it is my understanding they are flat. Of course they would be too heavy for Shopsmith.

The idea that someone can't have and express an opinion unless it is ultra pro Shopsmith is nonsense.

As far as selling my Shopsmith I have thought about it but the market value of them has tanked and I probably couldn't get 1/8 of what I paid for it, even though I bought in back in mid 80's and have kept as new.

Now if you guys want me to shut up and leave the forum fine but I'm not going to pretend that Shopsmith doesn't have short falls.

By all means, Ed, you can have and express all of your opinions here. Even the negative ones about your Shopsmith are constructive. As for the flat table. No, it is not as flat as a piece of granite but like I said (I think earlier in this post) I have never had a problem that I thought was due to an un- flat table but then my table is off only a few thousandths.

Don't leave the forum, Ed. You know that you have too much fun here.

lv2wdwrk · Post by **lv2wdwrk** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 9:00 pm

Just a thought. If the low spot(s) can be localized, why not make an MDF cover for the table with shims to compensate for the for the low spot(s). Just an idea, don't know how to do it. I will leave implementation to people smarter than I.

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:41 pm

lv2wdwrk wrote:Just a thought. If the low spot(s) can be localized, why not make an MDF cover for the table with shims to compensate for the for the low spot(s). Just an idea, don't know how to do it. I will leave implementation to people smarter than I.

And imho it is a good workable idea that solves many problems. Well, some problems, anaway. Remember mitre slots, saw guards and stuff like that. A slab-o-MDF might be the answer (was!) for some drill press work, as long as you don't want to use the fence or miter gauges etc.

But wouldn't it still bug you that you had to sacrifice when others don't?

If it gets the job done-- not so much, methinks.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 1:46 am

I think that some things can be over-thought, like this one. Has anyone had any problem with any power tool with a table, that is related to how flat the table was??? I have knot. Dusty asks how flat is flat. IMHO, for woodworking, my tables are flat enough without attempting to measure for inconsistencies.

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 1:31 pm

JPG40504 wrote:... This is a multi-purpose table that we be jabbering about!
...)

Ironically, the multi-porpoise thing seems to be the main sticking point, lately.
It is in the drill pres mode where a flat table is not just a nicety but an absolute necessity if one is to perform accurate hole making.
To me, the drill press is not there just because I get tired of making sloppy holes with a hand drill.

;-)