Shopsmith Forums

Does the shopsmith turn fast enough to use it as a router without the speed up module.

rwilabee wrote:Does the shopsmith turn fast enough to use it as a router without the speed up module.

Depends upon who you ask.


IMHO, yes.

Bearings(headstock) tend to run hot!

Not as good as dedicated routers, but will get er done.

I agree with JPG. Routing edges with an ogee bit is a little tedious. Small bites and multiple passes - going slow. Always use one of the Shopsmith router bit chucks. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/rm_routerchuckshield.htm NOT the drill chuck. In vertical (drill press) mode you'll want to have a good fence that will hide most of the bit. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/ms_shaperdrumsanderfence.htm

However I found that a 1/4" or 3/8" straight bit made beautiful mortises. Was used in horizontal mode for the mortises.

rwilabee wrote:Does the shopsmith turn fast enough to use it as a router without the speed up module.

Back when I had a 500 and no router I did use it as a router with some success but it was slow. Now that I got my PowerPro and Double Tilt (arrived today for my birthday but required a signature so I get in tomorrow), I am selling my dedicated router table to free up some space in the shop and help pay for the upgrades. I am starting to understand the advantages of double tilt for use as a shaper/router.

Paul. You may find you will want the router table for some applications. The PowerPro heats up pretty good at 10,000 RPM. I'm not sure the bearings in the PP will stand up to hours of routing, and 15 to 20 tousand RPM are better for smaller bits.

I personally found the shopsmith power head a very clumsy way of routing. Granted I have never tried my power pro. I find routing a bit nerve wracking. Thus I use three different methods depending on what I am desiring. The dedicated router table and OPR Shorty allow both under table and Over head bit mounting. Truth be known I prefer the OPR as I can keep an eye on what's going on. Then there are the many times where I am finishing a project either out of the shop or on an item already assembled that needs a bit of edge rounding. I have two free standing routers for that purpose. The larger a Porter Cable 890 series, I love my Bosch Palm Router for small jobs. I guess all of this suggests I am not thrilled with the idea of the Shopsmith as a router. Jim

charlese wrote:Paul. You may find you will want the router table for some applications. The PowerPro heats up pretty good at 10,000 RPM. I'm not sure the bearings in the PP will stand up to hours of routing, and 15 to 20 tousand RPM are better for smaller bits.

I don't use the router table as much as I used to, most of my joints are done with dado blade or pocket screws. I still have two Dewalt standalone routers (plunge and trim), it is just the table I am planning to get rid of. I don't have a 1/4" Shopsmith chuck I sold it when I got my router table. All of my bits are 1/2" carbide except a few I use in the trim router. Plus for edge treatment I hope to use the PowerPro as a shaper.

JPG40504 wrote:Depends upon who you ask.


IMHO, yes.

Bearings(headstock) tend to run hot!

Not as good as dedicated routers, but will get er done.

IMHO = In my humble opinion?

lightnin wrote:IMHO = In my humble opinion?

In my humble opinion IMHO

Just my humble opinion JMHO





MHO = 1/ohm;) Conductivity-the inverse of resistance!:)