Shopsmith Forums

I'm new to Shopsmith and I'm not quite set up yet but I have a question. Using my Mark V, can I rip a 4 X 8 sheet of 3/4 plywood? I notice that lots of you have the 510 with the extended tables but are they absolutely necessary for this operation? Remember, I'm new to Shopsmith.

If you are working alone, I'd advise against it unless you have the most sophisticated system of infeed and outfeed tables and/or rollers. Old ads may show it is possible, but definitely not the easiest, safest, or most accurate way to rip plywood.

If you have one or more helpers, maybe. But all must pay close attention to keeping plywood moving in same direction and keep it tight against the fence.

A much better approach would be a track saw or a circular saw with a good straight edge.

br549 wrote: . . .

A much better approach would be a track saw or a circular saw with a good straight edge.

Good advice!

I've ripped many a sheet of 3/4" plywood on my 500 when I had it. It is a 2 person job to handle it right. If needed, you can pick up a couple of free standing roller stands to help you stabilize it on the infeed and outfeed.
It comes down to your skill level more than the tool capability.

I always use a cutting table and track saw.

I'm sure we've all tried it at least once. I have. Just once. Now, it's done on the table/bench with my shop made track saw.

garys wrote:I've ripped many a sheet of 3/4" plywood on my 500 when I had it. It is a 2 person job to handle it right. If needed, you can pick up a couple of free standing roller stands to help you stabilize it on the infeed and outfeed.
It comes down to your skill level more than the tool capability.

With some help and roller stands it's not that tough to make a long 8ft cut but cutting across that 4ft direction when it's still 8ft long is still kind of tough to feed it straight and support the ends to keep it flat. It's so much easier to start cutting the sheet down to reasonable size pieces with a circular saw.

When I only had my 500 I often used a piece of approx. 3'x4' 3/4" plywood as an extended table mounted across the main table and the extension. I would screw down or clamp on a board to be a fence as needed. If I'd had an extra extension table to put in the other end I could have used a bigger piece with more room on both sides of the blade. But that still wouldn't help feed very wide sheets or boards through straight.

Sure it can be done, but it sure isn't pretty. Look for a better way.
Track saw is probably the best method.
Oh by the way my comments are not limited to Shopsmith trying to cut 4x8 sheets on any typical saw is possible but Without an aircraft carrier size of in feed and out feed tables it is dangerous balancing act.

I try to have it partially broken down at the lumber yard. It's easier to carry that way, too.

I've done it solo on my 510. My attitude is the same as everyone else's. I set up my extra tables the best I could, held my breath, and it worked. But, it wasn't my favorite operation. Once you experience kickback, you gain extra respect for the table saw.

Depending on what you're doing, it might make sense to cut things down oversized with a circular saw, then fine tune the pieces on the Shopsmith. I use a $50 guide that clamps onto the edges of the plywood. A tracksaw system would undoubtedly be superior.

Also, you can use a Shopsmith 510 or 520 as a sawhorse for your circular saw. Just know that a carbide-toothed blade will cut through a chrome-plated rip-fence guide-tube if you're not careful.