Shopsmith Forums

Hello all -

I am setting up the Speed Increaser to use as an under-table router for a project. Since the SI is made for using the shaper heads on a solid shaft (which is not the same 5/8" size as the output shaft, hence, can't use the standard 1/4" or 1/2" router bit collets).

I am looking at part number 555464 1/4" Collet Adapter Speed Increaser
Allows router bits with a 1/4" shank to be used with the Speed Increaser

Judging from the catalog picture, SS only makes this in a 1/4" size because of the size of the SI where the shaper-head shaft fits (hard to describe just what that is: where you clamp in the shaft that holds the shaper cutters)

Does this sound like a viable alternative: (in order to use both 1/4 and 1/2 router bits) I have considered having the local machine shop turn a piece that would have the proper diameter on the bottom to fit into the SI, and the top half would be 5/8" with a flat face, for using the standard SS router bit collets.

It will likely cost a bit more than the 10 bucks for the SS part, but would be more useful, as some bits I only have in 1/2"

What think you all?

The online catalog for that part number 555464 says
Special 1/4-inch Shank Adapter
Use your 1/4-inch shank router bit with the Speed Increaser Routing Setup. Accepts 1/4-inch & 1/2-inch bits.

This is one of the rare pieces that SS has in their catalog with no illustration!!! A picture might explain it. (see page 32 of 2008 Fathers Day cat. or page 34 of 2007 Holiday cat.)

that's curious.

the .pdf catalogue doesn't show a picture... but describes the part as:

Shank Adapter lets you use 1/4˝ Router Bits with Speed Increaser
(not shown) 555464 1/4˝ Speed Increaser $11.51 Router Bit Adapter

but searching online at ShopSmith.com for 555464 shows a picture. Looking at it, I don't see how it could take both. I checked my SI today... the shaper spindle, which holds the cutter heads, is 1/2" ... so if a router bit was long enuff, you could just chuck a 1/2" bit right in there...

The upper half of the 555464 piece is split... so that it tightens down on the 1/4" shaft of the router bit, when you tighten the 555464 in the SI.

As you said, guess I better call ShopSmith.

Attached is the picture that comes up if you search part # 555464:

see what i mean? No way that could take 1/2" router bits -- the right half (lower half, as it is used in the SI) is 1/2"

Do check with SS, Doug. Looking at that picture makes me think that what you said about slipping a 1/2" shank bit directly into the SI should work! That collet is a lot like any other collet that you wood use to put 1/4" shank bits into a 1/2" router.

a1gutterman wrote:Do check with SS, Doug. Looking at that picture makes me think that what you said about slipping a 1/2" shank bit directly into the SI should work!

Depending on how high above the table the cutting faces of the bit need to be, there might not be room to fit the SI beneath the table and still have the bit be high enough. Guess I will have to try it...

That collet is a lot like any other collet that you wood use to put 1/4" shank bits into a 1/2" router.

Sure is, which is why I suspected it wouldn't work with 1/2" bits

(My wife wants to know who is up, on a forum, on New Years Eve...
...besides me!)

SDSSmith and ME!

Here it is already 2009!

I got it figured out. It's called Reading Comprehension. Or, I ought to read the whole owners manual! I had read the first portion, about setting up the Speed Increaser with the shaper heads. I didn't go far enough...page 24 goes into using piloted router bits with the Speed Increaser.

a1gutterman wrote:Looking at that picture makes me think that what you said about slipping a 1/2" shank bit directly into the SI should work! That collet is a lot like any other collet that you wood use to put 1/4" shank bits into a 1/2" router.

Right you are! That must be what SS means about the collett adapter enabling you to use both 1/2" and 1/4" bits: half-inch go right into the SI; quarter-inch need the adapter.

So, I installed the SI, drilled new holes in the Model 500 shaper fence to mount it on the 510 table (got the instructions PDF from Linda at SS), put in the shaper table insert and a 1/2"-shaft router bit. (I've ordered the adapter) The table easily lowers enough for a standard router bit to work in the SI.

I'm in business. The SS is now setup as a router table... and judging from the test I did with a finger-joint bit, it works well.

Thanks, all, for your help and suggestions. Next time I'll read the whole book, first!