Shopsmith Forums

beeg wrote:My key word was BUY.

And my position is wht buy when one can build what amounts to a custom table.

dusty wrote:And my position is wht buy when one can build what amounts to a custom table.

I think I would do as Dusty has suggested, but doubt I would make it out of MDF! Food for future consideration as a project.

JPG40504 wrote:I think I would do as Dusty has suggested, but doubt I would make it out of MDF! Food for future consideration as a project.

Why, if I may ask, would you not use MDF for this task. At the risk of sounding combative, I would use 1" MDF and a melamine like work surface. Seal all other sides to prevent moisture penetration. If screws are required anywhere, use threaded inserts (as Shopsmith need on the router table).

Other than a metal table, the only other material I would consider would be UHMW but I am afraid that may be cost prohibitive.

I'd keep an eye out on Craigslist or EBay. You may be able to get an upgraded bandsaw there for a couple of hundred $. You can then swap tables or saws and sell the extra one for almost as much as you bought it for.
I suspect that, if you get it locally (no shipping), you might be able to do the whole deal for $50- $100.

Good Luck!

Returning to the orginal question asky by barsymes, I believe he was considering a purchase, not a DIY build project. I too almost considered the purchase of this table, however, after a visit to my Rockler store, was informed that the table probably would not fit to my complete satisfaction as it was designed for 14" and larger bandsaws. This table also comes with a standard miter bar so if you intend to use your SS miter guage with it, it will not fit. I have found so many times that purchasing a generic product that was not designed for my equipment usually leaves one completely dissatisfied.
If you plan to purchase another table, stay with SS,

Hey guys! Thanx for all the advice. I've decided not to get the Rockler table and am seriously considering making my own or at some point upgrading with Shopsmith.

dusty wrote:Why, if I may ask, would you not use MDF for this task. At the risk of sounding combative, I would use 1" MDF and a melamine like work surface. Seal all other sides to prevent moisture penetration. If screws are required anywhere, use threaded inserts (as Shopsmith need on the router table).

Other than a metal table, the only other material I would consider would be UHMW but I am afraid that may be cost prohibitive.

I apparently created a reply and failed to 'submit' it. It was far more timely than this one.

I do not trust mdf. Perhaps that perception is due to my history with particle board and osb. It does machine quite well!

I would never consider an expression of a different opinion as combative, rather it is appreciated and when needed to correct my own opinion, it is direly needed.

I think a new table home-made out of a slab of Corian and fastened to the original trunnions would look really nice. Is there any concerns about it cracking due to vibration over time? Just thinking ....

fiatben wrote:I think a new table home-made out of a slab of Corian and fastened to the original trunnions would look really nice. Is there any concerns about it cracking due to vibration over time? Just thinking ....

The Corian, or the trunions?:D

fiatben wrote:I think a new table home-made out of a slab of Corian and fastened to the original trunnions would look really nice. Is there any concerns about it cracking due to vibration over time? Just thinking ....

Hi Fiat, corian is a nice surface and probably wouldn't crack unless it was struck, but will bend with gravity/time. It would need to be buttressed to prevent that.
I have this crazy idea to use corian for dentures. I mean, who wouldn't want a different color set of teeth for every day of the week?