Shopsmith Forums

joedw00 wrote:That looks good. What did you use for the top, it looks shiny? Where did you get the on/off switch?

I would guess 'shiney' = Well Waxed. White = melamine?

Thanks, Dusty.

Joe,
Thanks to you also.
The top is made of two layers of 3/4 MDF glued together with Formica on the top and bottom. The reason for the Formica on both top and bottom and the wood trim, although MDF is very flat and stable, is to minimize warping from moisture. It makes for a slick surface and is very easy to keep clean. You can write on it with a pencil and it just rubs right off. As for the switch... I don't remember if I got it from Woodcraft or Rockler. Either way there are many safety switches available out there.

Very Nice router station, George!! Who needs a place to store clothes anyway!:)

What I did was take a counter top from an old video store and made it the same size as the MKV table. Added the extra 510 tubes and now it is a very large work service that will allow me to use the MKV rip fence also.
Not too hard to find extra parts from someone that did the upgrade from 510 to 520

Here's a Shopsmith Router table idea that I've been considering for a while:

I like the overall setup of the standard Shopsmith router collet in the spindle of the powerhead, but we're all familiar with the insufficient speed issue. I like the idea of being able to work from the top side of the piece instead of the bottom - it's easier to see layout lines, etc.

So why not make up some kind of a bracket, shaped like a big letter "L" that would clamp on to the Shopsmith way tubes on the vertical side, and would mount a router on the horizontal bottom. The SS would essentially be set up in vertical/drill press mode, but the powerhead would be raised up out of the way, and the router would be mounted over the main table. The original fence, featherboards, etc. could be used. I'd use a plunge router, get the depth setting approximately right by sliding the bracket up/down the way tubes, then lock it down, and dial in the final setting with the router's plunge base.

Any reason why this would be inherently a bad idea and/or unsafe?

I purchased the router table from Shopsmith. Which I used with a certain amount of success for a couple of years. Mine was configured and used on a 520. I gave up after realizing for this short fellow it was a bit too high. I found myself leaning on the table which seemed to make it difficult to keep the table level. I got in the habit of using the adjustable legs and often found they were in my way.

This past year I purchased a complete router table set up from Incra. It's just the right height to allow me to route in a seated position. Everything is stable and the quality of my work has improved dramatically.

I am most certainly not suggesting other ideas or solutions won't work. I only pass along the solution I prefer. Jim

I used one of my left over counter tops to make my first router table.

Here it is from underneath.



This assembly holds it tightly and makes it easy to remove for adjustments.



Here it is from the top spanning the table saw top and extension table.



Here is the underneath view between the table saw top and extension table.



I've reached my four picture limit, and the next set of pics shows how it can be mounted just on the extension table.

Jerry Floren
St. Peter, MN

This is still in prototype. I may use a small sawhorse with the expanding clamps for the legs, or make some legs just for the router table.



I also need to make some better fences, or find a way to attach this one better.



I like the versatility of the Shopsmith. It sure is easy to add even more tools and accessories to the basic five.

Jerry Floren
St. Peter, MN

joedw00 wrote:I have been thinking about building a router table for my 520. Using two 3/4" thick pieces of MDF plus the router, and rails how heavy are they to pick up and put on the SS? How do you store it when not in use? Do you remove the router so it would not be sticking out? I have almost made up my mind to build a stand alone table. I like the looks of this Router Table

I never got a answer to my question.

Sorry Joe, but I can't help you. I have never even worked with MDF (I'm very new to woodworking), and this is my first router table. Also, I have two vintage 500's and have only seen pictures of a 510 and a 520.

Jerry Floren
St. Peter, MN