Shopsmith Forums

I've got limited space and I'm tired both of getting poked and how big the table is with boards clamped across. Are there any words of wisdom for or against drilling four holes in the table of my 10ER dedicated drill press so that I can clamp down a cross slide vise?

Could you attach a mounting plate to the table using the table-insert mounting holes? The original Magna shaper-fence mounting plate actually fits inside the table-insert pocket.

It is your machine and if you want to put holes in it you can. But another way is to simply make a mounting board and clamp it to the table. I have a few of those, and that is how I would go if and when I decide to add that sort of vise.

You may need to stack so stock to get the thickness you need and I would start by looking at 3/4" plywood and double that if needed. You might want to add some way of having a fixed location to the table if a standard starting place is important.

You should have no problem clamping that vise using c-clamps or just about any other type clamp.

Also keep in mind that the table can be adjusted in one direction but is fixed in the other so you might be able to take advantage of that for adjustments.

Ed

reible wrote: . . .

Also keep in mind that the table can be adjusted in one direction but is fixed in the other so you might be able to take advantage of that for adjustments.

Ed

left/right horizontal only but:

Vertical (Zaxis) PLUS tilt also.(after positioning)

BuckeyeDennis wrote:Could you attach a mounting plate to the table using the table-insert mounting holes? The original Magna shaper-fence mounting plate actually fits inside the table-insert pocket.

I looked up some pictures, and it looks like the shaper attached to the table by replacing the table insert. I didn't realize that might provide a secure base, I'll take a look at that and see if I can make something to fit. thanks for the idea!

reible wrote:It is your machine and if you want to put holes in it you can. But another way is to simply make a mounting board and clamp it to the table. I have a few of those, and that is how I would go if and when I decide to add that sort of vise.

You may need to stack so stock to get the thickness you need and I would start by looking at 3/4" plywood and double that if needed. You might want to add some way of having a fixed location to the table if a standard starting place is important.

You should have no problem clamping that vise using c-clamps or just about any other type clamp.

Also keep in mind that the table can be adjusted in one direction but is fixed in the other so you might be able to take advantage of that for adjustments.

Ed

I have boards clamped across the table now but it makes the table too wide for my available work area and I keep getting poked trying to get around it. My thought was 4 well placed half inch holes with wood blocks underneath might not compromise the table integrity, but I hate learning something the hard way if its known to weaken the table.

I guess a picture might be in order. The added top can be any size so no reason for it to be larger then the table. But maybe I'm missing something??

I will post a couple of pictures later tonight of some of the table top additions I use.

Ed

I have one of my machines setup as drill press full time. Most of that time I keep this drill table on it. It is not fixed in any position but clamped as needed.
This next one is one of the smaller vise mounts tables. You can use the rip fence for locations and clamp as needed. This is about as small as I have since it was a multipurpose vice mount that I use with a router table as well. The vise is attached by way of some threaded inserts.
I have a collection of special add-on tops that I have found to be quite handy over the years.

Ed

As was already said it is your shopsmith so you can modify it to your needs. Many of us may see drilling holes in the table as damage that cannot be repaired or replaced in the future since it is no longer made. Just like to see them preserved. I do like Ed's use of wood tops to fit his needs. The idea of adding a wood top does give you some versatility and protects it from a drill bit inadvertently hitting the metal of the table. That's not good for either the drill bit or the table. See what happens without this protection as shown on this Mark V table.