Shopsmith Forums

Today I was setting up to cut up an 8 foot long by about a foot wide piece of plywood. The plan was to use a sled and then add the extension tables as support.

I'm showing this with the 520 style table system but the idea works the same with a 500.

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With the sled mounted and the blade height set (note small square block near blade that shows the depth of cut) now is the time to adjust the extension tables.

I like to use a drywall square but any straight edge will do to set the extension table height. You need to set it to the height of the sled top.

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Since the work piece is so long it is really a good idea to clamp it in place to the sled. Now I'm cheating a little here and doing it on purpose. I have measured out the pieces I want to get out of the plywood, added for the kerf and added just a small amount bit more to give me a place where the cut can be more or less centered on the workpiece. Sometimes that will not work for you but when you can it is a good trick.

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After the cut note how the combination of the clamps on the sled and the extension tables keep everything in order with no parts tipping up or falling off. Just how you should like it to be.

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Ran out of attachments so on to the next one to finish up on this tip.

Ed

Now I went back and make the piece parts out of the stock to your right, using the sleds stop block (seen on far left of sled) to make them all the same size. The last part will have a very small amount to trim off it you did things right. Better to error by having extra to trim off rather then having the last part not being wide enough.

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Hope this helps with some of the questions that you might have.

Ed

I love the outdoor decore of your shop! Can you point me in a direction so I can make a sled like yours?

rmojo wrote:I love the outdoor decore of your shop! Can you point me in a direction so I can make a sled like yours?

I purchased mine and here is a link to some additional information. The information is dated and the sled is no longer there on ebay.

You can check in at this store and see what the cost is to have them make a shopsmith version. Same sled same people.

http://www.appalachiatools.com/sunshop/ ... detail&p=7

If the cost is not to your liking then you can make your own and perhaps someone here will offer you plans.

For me this has been a very good investment and has become one of my favorites, actual it was from the beginning and still is. I can't say I use it on every project but certainly I can say it is used for most.

Ed