Shopsmith Forums

This saw with a 4' X 6' top was how I used to cut most sheet goods for some time. It evolved a little more after I took that terrible picture with a little throw-a-way instant camera (Polaroid type now banned). I am still flip-flopping on whether or not to move it to the new shop location and add a full length left side drop-leaf support. I did love that big table top.
I can still handle a full sheet of 3/4" plywood but they are gaining weight and I try to think open-mindedish about how I may need do things in a few years and get ready now.

I tend to use my TS-3650 with wings for sheet goods but have also used my 510 with an extension table on each end and having a second SS with the saw table and 2 extension tables (no saw blade) sitting right behind the 510. The tables on the second SS are sat a bit lower (but not much) than the 510.

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Once was enough.

Cutting sheet cuts on the Shopsmith is not a bad practice. Cutting sheet goods when you cannot handle the material so as to"keep it under your control" IS a bad practice.

Cutting sheet goods on your small table saw is not, in my mind, an unsafe procedure. The sheet goods are supported. All you have to do is keep it against the fence "throughout all of the cut".

To accomplish this with the Shopsmith, I used an outfeed table and some in feed support that is no longer needed was the cut is underway.

I have had one bad experience ripping large items on the Shopsmith and that was caused by my inattention when something happened just outside the shop door. Look away (even for a split second) while feeding into the blade and all hell is likely to break loose.

I like your table design. I might have to make my own. I still have my first table saw (circa 1950s).

Can't find it now but has anyone seen that old Shopsmith brochure with the pic of a guy using the SS in vertical mode as a panel saw? He is walking a full sheet through the blade.

jm51 wrote:Can't find it now but has anyone seen that old Shopsmith brochure with the pic of a guy using the SS in vertical mode as a panel saw? He is walking a full sheet through the blade.

A lot of folks here fainted when it was posted a while back!:eek: Much discussion ensued with a broad range of opinion regarding safety.

If I recall properly, there was nothing holding the piece above the blade. When the cut was finished, I am not sure where that piece was going to go.

What I do know is that contact with the blade was going to have some impact on speed and direction.

Hmmmm. With some sorta holding devise and a roller platform at the bottom, that just might work.:eek:

dusty wrote:If I recall properly, there was nothing holding the piece above the blade. When the cut was finished, I am not sure where that piece was going to go.

What I do know is that contact with the blade was going to have some impact on speed and direction.

Hmmmm. With some sorta holding devise and a roller platform at the bottom, that just might work. . . .

Proper 'technique' included applying feed pressure with one's foot, pressing the workpiece against the table with one's knees, and supporting the cutoff with both hands so as to minimize pinching and the cutoff falling onto the blade. At least that is how I saw it!;)

paulmcohen wrote:I just purchases a track-saw (just before Shopsmith released theirs) so now I use that for the first cuts and finish on the Shopsmith.

What it is that Shopsmith has released?

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Here I am cutting OSB, notice the front extension and I have a rear rolling support. The biggest issue is the fact that my shop is so small finding 16 ft is almost impossible.

The biggest issue is turning off the machine and during one of the cuts my knuckle actually hit the back top shaft. Now I know why Shopsmith sells a guard, I need to figure out if this is available as an upgrade.

paulmcohen wrote:[ATTACH]13913[/ATTACH]

Here I am cutting OSB, notice the front extension and I have a rear rolling support. The biggest issue is the fact that my shop is so small finding 16 ft is almost impossible.

The biggest issue is turning off the machine and during one of the cuts my knuckle actually hit the back top shaft. Now I know why Shopsmith sells a guard, I need to figure out if this is available as an upgrade.

My powerpro came with one, but i haven't seen it advertised as a retrofit. Its basically a plastic tube with a flange coming down and screws with matching holes tapped into the headstock. you could easily make one with a small dust collection type flange screwed to a piece of hardboard, and then either screwing that to the headstock or perhaps using some rare earth magnets to keep it in place