joint-matic or pin router or mortiser

[scottss]

Ok I have a chance to pickup a joint-matic. I have always wanted a horizontal router table and heres my chance. I have considered building one but that may take a while. My question is anybody use a joint-matic and what are the pluses and minuses. I want one mainly for doors. That is mortise and raised panels. If I was to go with a pin router what are the benifets?

[chiroindixon]

I researched my router table for a year and chose a Hawk Router Shop. When I saw what the Joint Matic did, I saw the similarities. Perhaps you should get a Hawk video and see it. I doubt you'll find one for the Joint Matic, which BTW is similar to some WoodHaven units. Brad Witt's catalog (Woodhaven) is very instructional. Get one.

If you can get it for a great price, why not?

Doc

[charlese]

scotss: Go to "General Woodworking" in this forum and read this Subject: "New Overarm Pin Router ( 1 2)" It is slightly down on the first page of General Woodworking. The wonderful discussions in this thread should answer most of your question.

Charlese

[reible]

Ok I have a chance to pickup a joint-matic. I have always wanted a horizontal router table and heres my chance. I have considered building one but that may take a while. My question is anybody use a joint-matic and what are the pluses and minuses. I want one mainly for doors. That is mortise and raised panels. If I was to go with a pin router what are the benifets?

I have a jointmatic and might be able to answer any questions you might have.

First it is good to know that shopsmith had several models of the JM. The original JM was made by a company called Strong Industries and the first shopsmith version looks just like the original with a chain drive.... Then shopsmith changed the design to a single threaded rod and as far as I know they had two different slider designs like this. The thing to look for on the newer designs is a crack where the black plastic slide meets the threaded bar. When you check the machine that is what to look for as this seems to be the weak link. The last I check shopsmith still had a replacement part for that, but, before buying I would make sure that is still true. (I have the newer model btw.)

The JM had a couple of attachments, one is a "bevel miter gauge" (something I have yet to find for mine), and a wider table attachment. The wider table helps with bigger items but it would be very easy to build if it is not included. This tool was designed to made mortises and a few other nifty things so YES it will work for you. It has a nice dust collection method and adjustments are via the crank at one full turn = 1/16" (1/2 turn = 1/32", 1/4 turn = 1/64").

If you check out the:
http://www.ssug.org
site they have a section on the JM and while it doesn't have a lot of information it is worth the read plus you get to see my version of the "bevel miter gauge".

Before this gets to long, I also have the older over arm router which will also make mortises.... but then so does the shopsmith with the mortising attachment or with a router chuck and bit setup.

For some photos:
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/elv60504@sb ... 2310295682
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/elv60504@sb ... 2356819960

Hope this helps...

Ed