Shopsmith Forums

I got my first shopsmith a couple of months ago. I love it. Just joined this group and have a question. I have a model 510. I was trying to cut some dados and had trouble keeping them straight and keeping the quill from slipping. This is probably due to my technique, but was wondering if anyone has any suggestions. I was cutting 3/4 plywood and making dados 3/4 in. wide. Thanks for any help.

I'm not exactly sure of the issue. The quill shouldn't move if the lock is fully engaged. If it still moves I would look into why, more than your technique. But to talk about the technique, can you post a picture of the setup so we can visually see what your doing? A picture is worth a thousand words after all.

Welcoming to the forum by the way.

I am a bit confused.

The stated problem as I understand is that the intended dadoes "were not straight". The operative work being straight.

Not being straight implies to me that either the fence is moving or you are not keeping the work piece tight against the fence.

Even the dado changes depth - then I would suspect either the quill or table lock.

As has been stated: A photo image may lead to better understanding.

I have a similar concern to Dusty's. Are the dados varying left to right or are they varying in depth? Varying depth would indicate a quill lock problem or the table slipping down. Variations left to right would indicate the table lock height is not secure. Pictures of the dados and your setup would help a lot.
PS welcome to the insanity (forum).
Bill V

Since the word "overhead" is in the thread title, I presume routing is the procedure.

That said, quill movement will result in varying depth of cut.

Straight is a result of consistent reference to the fence.

A slipping carriage can also create varying depth issues as can and table movement in/out will cause non-straight cuts.

All that is left is 'technique' and that requires consistent reference to the fence and the table top. Any warping will make that impossible.

So examples(pix) would be helpful.

Also, make sure you are feeding your stock from the correct side.

Probably should have been more clear. Depth of cut was my biggest problem rather than being straight. Sorry for my poor choice of terms. Unfortunately, unable to post any pictures at this time. Look forward to any more insight.

supersuspenders wrote:Probably should have been more clear. Depth of cut was my biggest problem rather than being straight. Sorry for my poor choice of terms. Unfortunately, unable to post any pictures at this time. Look forward to any more insight.

Caused by changing spacing between the headstock quill shaft and the carriage position on the way tubes.

Any of the following case cause depth variation.
Head stock slipping.
Quill feed slipping.
Chuck slipping on the quill shaft.
Bit slipping in the chuck.
Table slipping in the carriage.
Carriage slipping.

And workpiece not solid to the table.