Shopsmith Forums

What dimensions of tables do you all use? I was envisioning a 8'long by 30" or 36" wide. Height a question but more for the user to determine I'm guessing.
What type of materials to male the top? Would 2x4's on end be good/inexpensive with a 1" top? MDF or just the pine.

Here is mine in a couple shots.
Cheaply made but dead flat. 3/4 ply top. Ribbed torsion box construction. 3/4 pipe clamp holes spaced throughout and able to pass a pipe all the way through.
48x29x33 1/2h. Holes for dawgs spaced every 2.5 inches. Dawgs are 1/2 inch hardwood. Holds up to my obvious planing needs.
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Some tools are set for 33 1/2 high. Thats the tablesaw, router table (doubles as TS outfeed and this bench doubles as TS support for ripping plywood.

I have attached the plans for the one I use. I chose this one because of my very small shop and I've put on locking wheels so I can get it out of the way. My shop is small enough that I can only use either my Shopsmith or my workbench at one time, not both. Glad for locking wheels.

I guess the key here is not whether square ones or round ones are better, just remember not to try to put a square peg into a round hole.... which reminds me of when a school kid replied to a teachers request for the formula for the area of a circle by answering "pi R squared", to which the not-too-bright kid in the next desk whispered " wow, at my house, pie are round.
I know, I know, very old cheesy story...just a little too much time on my hands tonight.

trainguytom wrote:I guess the key here is not whether square ones or round ones are better, just remember not to try to put a square peg into a round hole.... which reminds me of when a school kid replied to a teachers request for the formula for the area of a circle by answering "pi R squared", to which the not-too-bright kid in the next desk whispered " wow, at my house, pie are round.
I know, I know, very old cheesy story...just a little too much time on my hands tonight.

At least you did not have to endure the ancient chairman of the electrical engineering dept. tell it repetitively for 4 years all the while thinking how clever it was!;):eek:

[quote="JPG40504"]At least you did not have to endure the ancient chairman of the electrical engineering dept. tell it repetitively for 4 years all the while thinking how clever it was!]

Red, was this repitition you heard anything like Bill Cosby's "I took 4 years of Latin I " ?

nuhobby wrote:Red, was this repitition you heard anything like Bill Cosby's "I took 4 years of Latin I " ?

He did 'teach' more than one class/subject/level during those 4 years!:D

I took latin 2 yrs - still greek to me!:D

What about T-slot tracks for hold down clamps? Some people buy a special router bit that cuts a t-slot into your top so that you have a t-slot made of wood. I don't know how strong that would be. I think you can glue the metal ones in a slot. Rockler and Inca make versions. I'm sure homemade ones are used also. Here is a link to another company. I like the track that takes just a regulat 3/8" bolt.
http://www.ttrackusa.com/track_%20systems.htm