Shopsmith Forums

I still have an old 500 table and carriage that I hate to toss. Any creative ideas on how to re-use it?

So far, the only thought I have is mounting it to the left of the headstock as an additional support table. I dont think the width of the carriage would prevent the power coupler from stretching between the headstock and the jointer/bandsaw/belt sander accessories. The extra support on the left might be handy for crosscuts or wide rips while freeing up the floating tables for infeed or outfeed.

Has anyone done this? Or have a better idea?

If you can't think of anything, I'm looking for the height tubes that are part of the trunion assembly. Just PM me if you are ready to find things a new home.

You can see your idea here:
http://www.crenshawweb.com/texastele/ttp04.htm#tables

You will have to scroll way down. This was discussed in an older post.

prmindartmouth wrote:You can see your idea here:
http://www.crenshawweb.com/texastele/ttp04.htm#tables

You will have to scroll way down. This was discussed in an older post.

Somebody could use a couple of collars!]11059[/ATTACH]

Not exactly what you asked for, but this was a very useful project using those 500-style trunnion parts:

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=2116

I'm considering something similar. My idea is to replace the insert in the work table with a blank and replace the work table mount with the auxiliary table mount since the tubes are not the same distance apart. This would not require another carriage and you would have another miter slot to run a very stable cross cut sled on (assuming you got the alignment right).

I like Chris (nuhobby's) idea of chopping the trunnion tie bar to the width of the headstock. That way you still have the tilting capability of the trunnion.

jimmyd: Here is the approach I used. This works fine for me. Good luck, John Mccrossen


https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=3019

http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/attachm ... 1233554191

Oops! I just noticed you referred to floating tables so you must be using a newer machine than my 500. Sorry.

Thank you all for the input.

I see the idea is not new, but it works. The alternative ideas are a bonus. I'll probably mount the carriage and see whether the table is a useful support piece, or if it just gets in the way. I didn't think about the tilting issue.

In the long run I like the idea of using the carriage and table as the basis for a new tool. The sanding idea is sweet.

Thanks again.

And then there be this variation. It allows removing the extension and coupler when not using the SPT. The steel coupler can slide along the shaft away from the headstock shaft to allow removal. The standard ss coupler is used on the hub shown.

[ATTACH]11068[/ATTACH]

The 5/8" 'shaft' is actually a mortise hold down bar!

johnmccrossen wrote:jimmyd: Here is the approach I used. This works fine for me. Good luck, John Mccrossen


https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=3019

http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/attachm ... 1233554191

Oops! I just noticed you referred to floating tables so you must be using a newer machine than my 500. Sorry.

John, outstanding creativity! You're melding, what -three generations into one machine? There are some great ideas there.