Looking of info on 555658 and or 521962

[Ed in Tampa]

Right now my router table is an old 510 main table which I ground out the metal web underneath to enable me to mount my router. It works fine but I would love to have a table that uses an insert so I could easily install and remove my router from the table.

That said I have a question can anyone tell me how the router is mounted in both the 555658 http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... rtable.htm
and in the 521962 http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... rtable.htm
tables.

The one I'm most concerned about is the first one the 555658 which states the routers base must be round and no more than 6 1/2 inches in diameter.

I think the 521962 is the woodhaven router plate and I think the router is fastened to it by clamps.

What I would really like is a combination of the 555658 and 521962.
I would like a router table that uses a leg assembly similar to the aux table legs but also had 520 fence rails so the 520 fence could be used with a proper jig.

I would think this would be perfect, it would serve as both a router table and also another work surface if the router is lowered or the router/plate is removed and replaced with a blank plate.

I have also toyed with the idea of cutting the table I now have to allow the installation of a router plate however there is not good way to connect a leg set to it. If I just the main table trunions and such it work almost except there is a tie bar that runs down the middle underneath that would hit the router.

My other choice is to buy an aux table leg assembly, a router plate and front and rail 520 fence rails and make a table using MDF or Baltic Ply.
Ed

[dusty]

That said I have a question can anyone tell me how the router is mounted in both the 555658

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... rtable.htm
and in the 521962 http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... rtable.htm
tables.

The one I'm most concerned about is the first one the 555658 which states the routers base must be round and no more than 6 1/2 inches in diameter.

I think the 521962 is the woodhaven router plate and I think the router is fastened to it by clamps.

What I would really like is a combination of the 555658 and 521962.
I would like a router table that uses a leg assembly similar to the aux table legs but also had 520 fence rails so the 520 fence could be used with a proper jig.

My other choice is to buy an aux table leg assembly, a router plate and front and rail 520 fence rails and make a table using MDF or Baltic Ply.
Ed

I might be able to help. I have both router tables that you mention.

555658 Mounts to the Shopsmith using an extension table base. It measures 23 13/16 x 18 3/16 and is about an inch thick (thinner than 521962). However, mine is about 12 years old and it has not warped. I like it partially because it has the t-slot for feather borads, etc. The router shield also mounts to it (and to 521962).

521962 is equipment with 520 rails and has no t-slot. It is thicker but I am not sure that has bought me anything. It will also accept feather boards and the router dust shield.

Both have router table inserts to which you mount the router. 521962 does use the woodhaven insert. The other insert is of a similar material.

521962 has adjustable router levelers while 555658 employs shims.

I'll posts pictures of 555658 with this post and will put the others on a subsequent post.

[dusty]

These photos along with those on a previous post will, I hope, answer your question regarding the two router tables.

Incidently, neither one uses any sort of clamp for either the router or the router insert. The inserts are dropin and the routers attach to the insert with screws.

[qtndas01]

I have the freestanding overarm pin router. The table has an insert for mounting various routers underneath and the table has a t-track along with various threaded inserts for attachments. The table is 18 x 30 and sits on its own stand. It can be used with or without the overarm. You could make your own fence since all bits are round and its not as important to be perfectly square or parallel to the bit. I could give you part numbers or fax them to you if you have access to a fax machine and you could check with Shopsmith if the parts are still available. The table is different from the one I have seen in the sawdust sessions. You would have to find a different way for the router guard since on mine its mounted on the overarm.

[curiousgeorge]

Ed, have you seen this?

http://jointech.com/shopsmith.htm

[reible]

Hi,

A couple of points to make before I crawl back in my hole.

If you ever have thought about getting the Jointech setup for your shopsmith I would look at the table they have and how it works.... In case this is an option you want to keep open how well would either of the shopsmith tables fit in both cost and functional wise??

If you are thinking of the Incra system at some point in the future it is the same thing, you want to decide if that will ever happen and if so how do the options you are looking at fit with that??

If you are thinking of either of the shopsmith tables you listed should also think how you are going to do the fence for them. In one case you are going to be using the angle AL parts or ??? In the second case they have a nice fence but that is an extra cost option that out weighs the cost of the table.

One of the table looks a lot like a revision of the one that was mentioned that fits the old OPR. (BTW they don't sell the old OPR one anymore). Without having one at hand to tell but it looks like the plate is designed to screw into place. The shims are thin triangle shape sheet plastic that are stacked in the corners. You can not let the plate just sit in the opening very well so the option of popping the plate and router out like the router workshop guys doesn't work well. (I could be wrong on this but it sure looks that way to me). On the old OPR one the plate is also small so I had to remove the handles off my router base to make it easy to get in and out from the top. No you don't have to take it out the top all that often if you are willing to work with the router in the table or willing to drop the router out of the base to change bits etc. The plate on the old OPR is also not a standard size, I have no idea about the one that Dusty pictured. I can also say that the old OPR was not set up for standard guide bushing... at least I have never been able to find any that fit. I resorted to making my own insert to fit both guide bushings and hole reducing bushings. You can see how I did this at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12199425@N ... 718315140/

The second table shown would have several advantages in my view but you really need to make up your mind as to how you are going to do a fence... the easiest method would be to buy the one they sell with it. If you already have some "other fence options" that we don't know about then of course this may not apply. Like if you have a Incra system or ??

This spring when it warms I will shot some pictures of how the Jointech system works and even show a few options that you might not know about.

Ed

[PTWFE]

FYI, the Jointech router table requires user supplied 520 rails & associated hardware.

The 555658 accomodates a PC690 base very well. Rockler & others sell that base sans depth collar & sub-base for that purpose.

[reible]

FYI, the Jointech router table requires user supplied 520 rails & associated hardware.

The 555658 accomodates a PC690 base very well. Rockler & others sell that base sans depth collar & sub-base for that purpose.

Hi,

Good point for those of you who missed our major discussion of the Jointech system some months back. Please make sure you search that out if you are thinking about a Jointech purchase, and the parts you need are spelled out for you as I recall.

You can do a search to find more but this is the prime post:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=1047

Ed

[Ed in Tampa]

I might be able to help. I have both router tables that you mention.

Dusty
I'm late in saying this but thanks for all your pictures, and thanks to all the others for their comments and opinion.

One thing Dusty you never said which table you perferred or why. Do you have a favorite? And why?

I think the jointech is not for me as I simply can't justify to myself the extra cost of the jointech equip plus the SS you need to use it.

Ed

[dusty]

I have incorporated 521962 into my Shopsmith setup.

This is my preferred router table. It includes the capability to utilize the rip fence and has a placefor two table top feather boards.

The setup incorporates an extension table on the left side of the Shopsmith and I can add a floating table to the right of the extension table.

Without the floating table, I can raise the Shopsmith to the vertical position.

I keep the 555658 readily available. I can mount it anywhere that I can mount an extension table base (either end of the Shopsmith or on the power station now).

I have plans to develop a roll around cart that will include this capability.

Fences have to be clamped to the 555658 and to many this is not a negative factor.

They both work very well. Both are height adjustable (to a point). Once again, we are left with choices. Life is full of choices. I use them both frequently enough that I have routers for both. I do mount the lighter weight router on the 555658 so as to not always need the support leg.