Shopsmith Forums

algale wrote:...
Second, I'm not router savvy enough to follow all of this. Why do you think the first router bit broke? And why would a 1/4 inch shank, 1/2 inch diameter bit do better in the higher RPMs of the OPR than in the PP at lower RPMs? Intuitively, I would have thought the opposite, but again, I'm a router ignoramus.

Here's my thinking;
Why did the tip of one blade in the 1/2" (w/ 1/2" shank) break? Who knows! Nothing happened that gave me a clue. Maybe it was too brittle, maybe it got dropped and I don't remember. The break was just the tip of one of the two cutters in the bit.

Spinning at 10,000 RPM with one tip missing gave me only 5,000 rpm for digging into the wood. This gave a rough routing experience. It caused the wood to chatter wildly.

Needless to say, 22,000 RPM produces a smoother/faster cut than 10,000. The narrow, 1/4" shank will break a lot easier than a 1/2" shank. Pushing a bit with a 1/4" shank does cause breaking. (experience ) Therefore with a faster cutting bit I could feed the wood slowly without the shank breaaking (I hoped).

Feeding a piece of wood as heavy as the bench top across the table gave me pause because it was real hard to tell how much of the resistance was from table friction and how much was from cutting resistance. The faster cutting bit reduced resistance from the bit. Still I took shallow passes until reaching 1 1/2" depth.

Thanks for all your nice comments, Guys! The bench will be used for an extended big family Christmas. I'm sure it will be appreciated there.

The real purpose of this thread is the great versatility of the Shopsmith. Ain't it cool? Although it does migrate into what was built on the machine.

charlese wrote:

algale wrote:...
Second, I'm not router savvy enough to follow all of this. Why do you think the first router bit broke? And why would a 1/4 inch shank, 1/2 inch diameter bit do better in the higher RPMs of the OPR than in the PP at lower RPMs? Intuitively, I would have thought the opposite, but again, I'm a router ignoramus.

Here's my thinking;
Why did the tip of one blade in the 1/2" (w/ 1/2" shank) break? Who knows! Nothing happened that gave me a clue. Maybe it was too brittle, maybe it got dropped and I don't remember. The break was just the tip of one of the two cutters in the bit.

Spinning at 10,000 RPM with one tip missing gave me only 5,000 rpm for digging into the wood. This gave a rough routing experience. It caused the wood to chatter wildly.

Needless to say, 22,000 RPM produces a smoother/faster cut than 10,000. The narrow, 1/4" shank will break a lot easier than a 1/2" shank. Pushing a bit with a 1/4" shank does cause breaking. (experience ) Therefore with a faster cutting bit I could feed the wood slowly without the shank breaaking (I hoped).

Feeding a piece of wood as heavy as the bench top across the table gave me pause because it was real hard to tell how much of the resistance was from table friction and how much was from cutting resistance. The faster cutting bit reduced resistance from the bit. Still I took shallow passes until reaching 1 1/2" depth.

I am not sure I agree with your thinking vis-a-vi the bit but that is a beautiful build. It all obviously worked for you so it does not matter how it was accomplished. Really nice!!

A chuck issue?

A chuck issue?

No pun intended!!!

Last Post Here! Got finished in time for Christmas.

Varathane water based Autumn Stain - Varathane water based clear Satin finish.

Looking fantastic, as usual!

Great work!!!!! Now tell me about the legs? You have come along way since that cabinet project a few years ago!!!!!!

Kinda like this?
http://www.rockler.com/beadlockreg-tenon-stock

algale wrote:Looking fantastic, as usual!

You took them words right out of my mouth!!!