Shopsmith Forums

I have both router chucks. Used them, and the shield, several times, without a speed increaser. Can't say it's the best tool, but if you don't have a router available it'll work with little bites and slow movement of the board. I believe the edges of the top of my couch (avatar) table were routed this way.

I found the 1/2" chuck would not allow my 1/2" bits to fit in without some heavy polishing of the router bit shaft.

As Nick has said, the OPR is a lot better. If a person can afford an OPR - Buy one!!!!!

dusty wrote:It didn't work. We know who you are.

Yes, the OPR is undoubtedly a better tool for the job BUT....I already own a Router Chuck and Shield for us on my Mark V.

Are you suggesting that I should not use it and therefore not do that sort of work until I can afford an OPR. If not, maybe you'd consider a Sawdust Session to demo its' use. At the same time, you could point out its shortcomings and pitch whatever you would use.

Dusty

Is this what you'd like to see? http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Intro.htm

Hey, you guys are talking routers and nobody told me!

My 59 came with a Jacobs chuck and that was about it.
I had to buy the key to turn it as the one I was supplied with by the previous owner appeared to be stripped.

No, beeg - that's all about the the OPR. I was suggesting a short session on using the the router chuck in the Shopsmith "drill press".

It could be titled, "Using All of Your Shopsmith's Assests". If more material is needed, the time slot could be filled with "Shaper Instructions".

The only time I use the SS as a router is with the big raised panel cutting bit. Or making long sliding dovetails.

I like the control and safety as well as the slower speed of the Mark V with these big bits.

While a Sawdust Session on the routing options that Shopsmith offers is definitely a good idea, it would be extremely hard for me not to undersell some of the equipment. I have been working professionally with routers and router tables for almost 30 years, have written reviews on dozens of routing machines, have designed a dozen router tables for various books and magazines, have consulted on the design of router equipment, even hold a few patents on router accessories, and I have yet to find anything as versatile and as easy to use as the Shopsmith Overarm Router mounted on the Shopsmith Mark V frame. If Shopsmith had the capital to introduce a new stand-alone routing tool to the woodworking market, I really do believe that an overarm router mounted on a modified frame (tubes shortened by 20", no headstock) woulld blow the routing competition out of the water. It would quickly become the Cadillac of router tables. Furthermore, Drew and I have designed simple accessory that enables us to mount the router under the table as well as over it and beside it -- that would boost the machine into the Rolls Royce category.

With all good wishes,

Nick wrote:Furthermore, Drew and I have designed simple accessory that enables us to mount the router under the table as well as over it and beside it -- that would boost the machine into the Rolls Royce category.

With all good wishes,

Nick
When you say enables you to mount a router under the table as well as over it. Do you mean the standalone or current one or both?
I would jump all over the OPR if I could mount a router under the table as well as use the overhead function.

Anxiously awaiting your reply.
Ed

Both. It's dirt-simple and I can show it in a video shop tip. I'll schedule one next month if I can get several yea's besides Ed's.

With all good wishes,

Yea!, Yea! Yea! and just for good measure an 'absolutely'!

Wow, at first I had thought this "simple accessory" was something that you and Drew would want to get patented. (At least share with the company). If you want to show us how to make one, this is truly a BIG DEAL!

Your sliding table has already been a godsend! Now under the table? Wow!, once more!:D

Nick wrote:Both. It's dirt-simple and I can show it in a video shop tip. I'll schedule one next month if I can get several yea's besides Ed's.

With all good wishes,

Nick...

Count my vote as a "yea". Routing with the SS is something I have no experience with and would also really like to see a demo of how its done without speed increaser or OPR set up. Thanks.

Ed
Idaho Panhandle
MkV 500 +/-, bs, dc3300, jointer