Shopsmith Forums

reible wrote:Can you post some pictures of what you are doing and how you are set up?
I certainly can take pictures, but all you are going to see is the work piece below the bit and feather boards holding the work. If you still think it would help, I would be happy to do so.
One that that has been documented on regular routers when either hand held or table mounted deals with spiral bits. Down spiral bits can dig in when cutting because of slippage of the bit in the collet, or if the router is not be locked securely or improper use of lifts. In these cases the bit will go deeper due to the nature of the spiral. So my first question is are you using such a bit? If so do you have another bit to try? Could this extra pull effect a headstock, I don't know??
In this test I am using a "standard" 5/8 straight bit as I wanted to create a lot of vibration as it cut the material. I cut a shallow 1/16th or so groove with the grain so a double pass was not necessary. It was (and as my experience has shown) when I got to a hard knot in the wood and the vibration caused by the knot amplified the vibration (what I was shooting for) the headstock moved. So, no spiral bits. My experince has no tool rhyme or reason other than the vibration accompanied with the bit and stock. I have had this problem with any bit I have used from round over to cove. Experience has show the harder the bit is working (depth and hardness) the more prominent the headstock slip is. At first, as a newbie to this , I thought I was doing it wrong, but as my confidence and knowledge has increased, I have come to realize that something is changing during these sessions. I proved today, that the headstock is truly moving. The question in my mind now is why, and how can I prevent it.....

My next thought deals with having to be in vertical position, like drilling these operations can be done in horizontal mode depending on what the operation is. While not a fix per say it might get you past this for the time being.

If you opt for the dual tilt then the router position can be above or below the table. Which then leads to that upgrade. In a lot of cases I prefer the router below so I opted for the kit to do that.

I agree. I many times like the under table position, but as you know as an expert, certain jobs require (or at least suggest) an over head router. By design, these machines should do that.

Next is question is have you attempted to change the location of the headstock either above or below where it is now sitting? I'd give that a try as well, it can't hurt to see if this is a location problem or if it always happens. Move down 6" or so and lock and run the 2x4 test again.....

I have not specifically, intentionally, placed the HS in different positions and tried to duplicate the problem, but just through using it for certain processes, I am sure the HS has been in different positions, with the same result. Like I said, I blamed myself for the problem until lately, and today I proved that the HS did/does move on it's own.

The unit being so new it is worth a call to shopsmith to see what they have to say.

That is my next step. Hopefully I can get some insight tomorrow. I will let the forum know what I find.

Ed

reible wrote:OK fair enough.

Yes I would like to see your set-up in a picture.

One thing that is bothering me is the vibration of which you speak. If you are experiencing a lot of vibration when making a cut only 1/16" deep something is likely wrong. A sharp carbide bit should have no trouble cutting a slot that shallow in pine/fur 2 x 4's.

Do you have a hand held router that you can use to duplicate this cut? If so do so, the vibration should be pretty much none existent. I've done and do a lot of routing and vibration is a bad sign.

I guess I'm saying you might have two problems, one being the headstock slipping and the other, well something else.

Ed

billmayo wrote:I used a 2 piece clamp-on shaft collar (http://www.mcmaster.com/#shaft-collars/=11604rq) on each way tube when I was doing milling operations to prevent the headstock from slipping down on the way tubes. The headstock was in the drill press position.