Routing with a shopsmith

[forrestb]

I built this after David Lehman's article in FWW May/June 2007, #191, pg. 68. The circular devices grab the edges of the workpiece and center it exactly for clamping. The 3 moveable pieces on top set the loc of the center of the mortise and the length of the mortise. If you don't have the FWW issue send me a msg with your email address and I will send you a pdf.
Forrest

[dusty]

I built this after David Lehman's article in FWW May/June 2007, #191, pg. 68. The circular devices grab the edges of the workpiece and center it exactly for clamping. The 3 moveable pieces on top set the loc of the center of the mortise and the length of the mortise. If you don't have the FWW issue send me a msg with your email address and I will send you a pdf.
Forrest

Thank you so very much for the offer. In your PMs you will find a message from me.

[nothungry3]

Thanks for your replies.
I take it that the routing function is not much used. I was glad not to hear of stories of amputated fingers.
I have done a little more work (play) and with a larger diameter cutter (3/4 carbide), higher speed (I think I had it set too low) and light cuts, I got some smooth cuts.
I was intrigued by a comment in my manual about using the miter gauge to make radial cuts. Has anyone done this?

[nothungry3]

Thanks for your replies.
I take it that the routing function is not much used. I was glad not to hear of stories of amputated fingers.
I have done a little more work (play) and with a larger diameter cutter (3/4 carbide), higher speed (I think I had it set too low) and light cuts, I got some smooth cuts.
I was intrigued by a comment in my manual about using the miter gauge to make radial cuts. Has anyone done this?

[nothungry3]

Hey the OP didn't say nuttin' about a long 3/8" mortise.

Personally, I use chisels for mortises now. Moving away from machines. Too Noisy, Too Dusty, Too much setup time. I find the hand tools more enjoyable. I'm not in a race.

I do still have my machines and I'm not opposed to their use.

I also have a table to go with my routah so I would use a table if I were using a machine.

So you prefer your router and table to the shop smith. Why?

[terrydowning]

The honest truth is this.

1: I'm too cheap to invest in all of the hardware required to set up a SS for routing safely.

2: I have a handheld router and router table that have done everything I have needed a router to do.

3: Mobility: About half the time I have needed a router, I have needed it at a different site. I can load up my router, workmate and router table easily, take it wherever I need it to go and set it up in minutes. (The same amount of time it takes me to set it up in my shop as these are typically stored in their travel cases/positions) While moving the SS is doable, it's not always convenient.

4: I'm actively moving my wood working hobby to more and more hand tools, less and less machine operations. It is unlikely that I will get rid of my machines, but I'm not investing in them anymore either and actively working on hand tools usage.

Please disregard all of my statements about routing with the SS. There are many others on here with way more experience with it. I was trying to be funny and cute and failed miserably. As my Dad would say. "Trying to inject a little humor (Darn Little)."

[nothungry3]

The honest truth is this.

1: I'm too cheap to invest in all of the hardware required to set up a SS for routing safely.

2: I have a handheld router and router table that have done everything I have needed a router to do.

3: Mobility: About half the time I have needed a router, I have needed it at a different site. I can load up my router, workmate and router table easily, take it wherever I need it to go and set it up in minutes. (The same amount of time it takes me to set it up in my shop as these are typically stored in their travel cases/positions) While moving the SS is doable, it's not always convenient.

4: I'm actively moving my wood working hobby to more and more hand tools, less and less machine operations. It is unlikely that I will get rid of my machines, but I'm not investing in them anymore either and actively working on hand tools usage.

Please disregard all of my statements about routing with the SS. There are many others on here with way more experience with it. I was trying to be funny and cute and failed miserably. As my Dad would say. "Trying to inject a little humor (Darn Little)."

Thanks for your reply.
My router has a trigger, not a switch, so it is not suitable for table mounting. I have been planning to buy a second router for years, but I don't do enough routing to justify the expenditure. I was thinking the ss might solve this problem, but I'm not sure.
Should I get a shaper fence?

[WmZiggy]

You might watch the used market (eBay) for a shaper fence and table insert. You should also look for the 1/2" & 1/4 router chucks. I could be wrong but this will cost you less than a 3 hp plunge router. With this fence you might then add some shaper cutters and spindle
chuck. I see these on eBay all the time too. As I said in an earlier thread, I have routers, router tables, and a stand alone shaper, yet I still enjoy using my two 500s in this mode.

[nothungry3]

You might watch the used market (eBay) for a shaper fence and table insert. You should also look for the 1/2" & 1/4 router chucks. I could be wrong but this will cost you less than a 3 hp plunge router. With this fence you might then add some shaper cutters and spindle
chuck. I see these on eBay all the time too. As I said in an earlier thread, I have routers, router tables, and a stand alone shaper, yet I still enjoy using my two 500s in this mode.

Finally, a positive response!
I have many of the things you define, and am looking hard at a shaper fence.
Do you have to limit your cuts (depth or wood density) due to spindle speed? If so, is this a problem?

[JPG]

Finally, a positive response!
I have many of the things you define, and am looking hard at a shaper fence.
Do you have to limit your cuts (depth or wood density) due to spindle speed? If so, is this a problem?

Only if one is impatient!;) Shallow cuts = better finish anyway!