Shopsmith Forums

Thanks Ed. According to your post I would need to get the following (using the Christmas catalog prices) to mount the router table on the MKV 520:

Ref# Part# Desc. Qty. Price each
136 515859 Knob 4 .82
136A 518462 Spring 4 .71
141 522298 Front Rail Assy. 1 57.97
142 515294 Keps Nut 6 .63
143 518490 Rear Rail Assy. 1 39.17
144 120392 Flat Washer 6 .63
146 518403 Table Spacer 6 .63
Total 100.56

Have I missed anything or does that look about right to you?

Thanks, George.

curiousgeorge wrote:Thanks Ed. According to your post I would need to get the following (using the Christmas catalog prices) to mount the router table on the MKV 520:

Ref# Part# Desc. Qty. Price each
136 515859 Knob 4 .82 OK
136A 518462 Spring 4 .71 OK
141 522298 Front Rail Assy. 1 57.97 OK
142 515294 Keps Nut 6 .63 (My local Ace carries these.) OK
143 518490 Rear Rail Assy. 1 39.17 OK
144 120392 Flat Washer 6 .63 Don't think you need these.
146 518403 Table Spacer 6 .63 OK
Total 100.56

Have I missed anything or does that look about right to you?

Thanks, George.

I didn't check the current prices but they sound like good sale prices, so I think you have everything you will need listed.

If I think of anything more I'll let you know.

Ed

Ed- I looked over the Jointec site. They sure have an impressive array. Are you using their router fence sets,tablesaw sets? Right now I have the two Jessem tables, one with Lift FX and now on the OPR- I'll post a photo. I haven't committed to a fence on the OPR yet. Regards, Mike[img][IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/e ... 0002-8.jpg[/img][/IMG][img][IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/e ... 0004-8.jpg[/img][/IMG][img][IMG]http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k65/e ... 0005-9.jpg[/img][/IMG]

Hi,

The subject here has been dealing with the SawTrain System for the Shopsmith 520 (JST-SS520P). The direct link is: http://www.jointech.com/shopsmith.htm

It is comprised of a JCM-1832 6pc CabinetMaker’s System
http://www.jointech.com/woodworking1.htm

It also has a router table sized for the Shopsmith and router plate insert RP-60
http://www.jointech.com/routertops.htm
and
http://www.jointech.com/routertops_plate-inserts.htm

The Smartfence is part of the JCM-1832 and more details are at:
http://www.jointech.com/dovetailfence.htm

You can also use the Clincher Fence Machine (also part of the JCM-1832) along with the Smartfence on a router table if you like.
http://www.jointech.com/dovetailjig.htm

If you want to use the Smartfence without the Clincher you can find the Mounting brackets near the bottom of this optional system accessories page:
http://www.jointech.com/optaccess.htm

Once you look at all of these pages you will have an idea of just what is being discussed.

Again my main reason for doing this is to reduce my router table count. I have 10 router tables and presently plan to reduce this to say 5 or 6 operational ones. As of now I have 3 tables taken apart so I'm well on my way (however one of those is my table for my Incra so it is down to be modified and not really "gone", plus it hold my Angle-Ease) see:
http://www.woodhaven.com/ProductDetail.asp?Id=2227

Ed

mtobey,

From the center picture it looks like you have figured out that either the top or bottom router can be used as the "pin". This save me a bunch of time as a lot of my patterns use 1/4" tempered hardboard and the pins that came with the OPR were to tall.

The new top looks nice!

One of the project for this spring will be to make the top so it can tip up at the rear... maybe as much as 12-15 deg.(just for OHR). If I can come up with a good way to do that I'd say the old OPR might just be the best design I've ever seen. No is still will not do everything but it will be close at least for me.

I also noted the On/Off switch on the left side. I'm guessing that is a replacement as it doesn't look like the shopsmith switch. I like mine mounted on the right side and for pin routing I use a foot switch. I always have two switches off or the router unplugged when messing with the bits and adjustments.

Ed

I know I asked this and got an answer but the 520 at www.jointech.com/shopsmith.htm does not look like the newer 520 version. Also can someone explain the router table does it work as an other extension table.

Does someone have other pictures of the complete Jointech system on a new 520?

paulmcohen wrote:I know I asked this and got an answer but the 520 at www.jointech.com/shopsmith.htm does not look like the newer 520 version. Also can someone explain the router table does it work as an other extension table.

Does someone have other pictures of the complete Jointech system on a new 520?

Hi,

{I wouldn't put to much stock in the picture shown... except in general. It looks like it is just sitting on the machine and has not been adjusted to fit. I'm not sure why they chose to do that but they did.}

The Jointech system has a system that uses the rails on the 520, it doesn't do it quite the way shopsmith's rip fence does but sort of like it. Just like the shopsmith rip fence works on both the old rails or the new front rail with rules.

If you get the 520 scales upgrade package they send a little black plastic piece that sticks on below the fence so you can read the scales... You also get a new front rail and scales. The rip fence still fits after the conversion right? So much like the rip fence, the Jointech system clamps on (it doesn't use the area where the scales mount).

I'd go shoot some pictures but it is 41 degrees in my shop now and I don't have it mounted. In fact I have it disassembled and a few of the pieces are here in my computer room waiting for me to take pictures of them. If I get a few minutes I'll to take a photo(s) of how it mounts in the next few days. I do still have the piece pictured on the extension table mounted and that is the one that clamps on so I can show you that.

All I can say is if you have a 520 it will fit.

The router table is about the same size as the main table and you you can use it as an floating table. You buy the rails from shopsmith so the rip fence pops on just like an floating/extension table and yes it is level with the other tables.

Like I had mentioned I'm planning a preview of this sometime in the near future but it is not going happen before the sale ends so if you are thinking of buying one of these now you will have to make sure I or someone else answers your outstanding questions.... I know a few people have reported they own these so could some of you pipe in here??? Maybe you already have the pictures or a better description then I do???

Ed

Ed (Rieble)
Is the router plate that comes with the Jointech predrilled for various routers?
If not how hard was it to drill so that the router was perfectly centered and you could use guide bushings?

The Jointech ad says the table is phenolic, is there any flex? I would think it would more ridged than MDF or ply but so many people complain about their router table sagging. Also many mention they phenolic router plates sag.

While I realize they are two different animals how would you rate the Jointech system to Overhead Pin router in regards to usage. In other words if you were going to buy or the other which would you buy first?

How much do use the jointech fence as the fence on the SS or do you find yourself going back to the 520 fence, since I noticed you said you have the Jointech broken down in you shop at the moment.

Many questions but thanks for all the feedback
Ed

I have a 510 that I upgraded to the 520.

I bought an older Jointech fence from that auction site. I think it is the next size larger from the one in the 520 package.

I have a Bosch 1617 router, but this will apply to just about any router.



From Jointech I bought the yellow auxiliary table as shown in the picture. You have to buy the front and rear rail assemblies from SS, as well as the hardware. It is the same rails and hardware that goes on the main SS worktable. If you assembled your worktable or did the 520 upgrade you know how that goes together. I use the 5' connector tubes to support the yellow table.

Also from JT I bought the gray router plate that drops in the middle of the yellow table, and a set of three center insert openings. One of the openings will take a router guide. You have to drill the holes for the router mounting base. I used an centering "bit" in the router and put on a router guide of the same diameter in the insert to center the router. It worked out well.

I do not have the bridge that clamps to the extension table. In the picture that is the black and green piece on the right. Instead I drilled two holes in the extension table. If you look under the table you will notice two circular patterns in the webbing that lie to the front and rear of the middle of the table. I drilled those out. I bolted the fence to a piece of oak, and drilled holes in the oak to match the holes in the table. I just bolt the oak board to the table when I want to use the fence. For alignment I clamp the JT fence to the SS 520 fence and then tighten down the bolts. They I remove the clamps and take off the SS fence. I can use the JT fence with either the router or the table saw.

I think the phenolic insert is fine for this router, but I am thinking about buying a bigger router. I would like to get an aluminum insert for that router. I think the Jessem and a few others are the same size as the JT inserts.

I really like the fence. I think I have about $300 in my set-up, but like I said I bought the fence used.

Ed in Tampa wrote:Ed (Reible)
Is the router plate that comes with the Jointech predrilled for various routers?

No it is not drilled. The plate that comes with it has a large opening that yet another insert fits in. One of the inserts included is for mounting a standard guide bushing. I don't recall where I purchased them but I have several "kits" that make the job very simple and dead on accurate. The kit has an insert that fits in the guide bushing hole and has a perfectly centered 1/4" hole in it. The kit also has a 1/4" shaft that chucks in the router and aligns with the hole in the guide bushing part. (I use this everytime I put on the sub-base to the router to keep everything aligned) Then the last part of the kit are some special screws that match the thread of the router base and have a sharp point which is used to perfectlly mark where the screw holes go.

However Jointech also sells a full size pattern and the longer router base screws for about $3.00 if you want to go that way.

If not how hard was it to drill so that the router was perfectly centered and you could use guide bushings?

Since I've been doing this sort of thing for a while and have made many plates I don't think it is very hard to do but if you are a first timer you might want to practice a few times on some hardboard. And again if you have the alignment pieces you can always slightly over size the holes and adjust the fit.

The Jointech ad says the table is phenolic, is there any flex? I would think it would more ridged than MDF or ply but so many people complain about their router table sagging. Also many mention they phenolic router plates sag.

The phenolic material is stuff and heavy. I haven't noticed any flex but then I have not tried to flex it. I don't leave routers in the table for extended amounts of time and for the biggest part of the time I take them out when I'm finished with a project so I don't see this problem anyway. I can see if you leave a big 3-1/2 HP (mines about 14 pounds) hanging below a table years on end you will develope sag... so why do it that way??

The plates are 3/8" thick and hard surfaced. Again no reason to hang it for long periods of time, just set in on the plate and bingo no sag.

While I realize they are two different animals how would you rate the Jointech system to Overhead Pin router in regards to usage. In other words if you were going to buy or the other which would you buy first?

This is a tough guestion. I don't think I can answer it for YOU. In general you need a good router table first. No one router table is going to be the ultimate... been there tried that it just doesn't work that way. Once you have a good standard router table the rest of the stuff starts to fall in place according to what projects and you want to work on. If you want to do fancy joints, double double box joints etc you will need either an Incra or the Jointech. If you get the idea pin routing is for you then the OPR comes to mind.

The fancy Jointech and Incra system have the added advantage of mounting on the shopsmith and give you rip fence control to very tight tolerances and a large work surface with the added shopsmith equipment... so that adds a lot for doing a lot of different type projects over the OPR.

So if I had it to do all over again I would start with the Jointech system but would plane to get the OPR (at this point I think I like the old stand alone model best) soon after just for the pin routing capacity.

For YOU how ever I have no idea as to which would be the correct choise.

How much do use the jointech fence as the fence on the SS or do you find yourself going back to the 520 fence, since I noticed you said you have the Jointech broken down in you shop at the moment.

Again I have only limited time with my system. This would be better answered by someone with a couple of years of experence with it.

For me I do not see this mounted all the time. It seems to be easy enough to take on and off especial by a shopsmith owner who is use to tool changes.

So if I were going to make a chicken coop I don't think I would use it but if I had a jewelry box going on I would.

The reason for having it apart is that I was to excited to shoot pictures when it came... I wanted to get it together so I could play with it some before winter claimed my shop. So now today the shop is just at 44 deg and I can't work out there...... so I'm taking it apart for pictures and then I want to make a few adjustments to my alignment when I put it back together. (I used a left extension table mounted on the right side for the alignment... my mistake for rushing and not paying attention to what I was doing).

Many questions but thanks for all the feedback
Ed

Hope this helps a bit more... and I do wish a few of the other jointech owners would join us on this discussion... I'd like to hear how they are doing and what kind of things they have found out. Remember I just starting out on this system and I don't want to mislead anyone based on my limited experence... I know you are out there, time to speak up.

Ed