Shopsmith Forums

I know this might seem silly, but consider it. One of the main complaints of a shopsmith is the tilting table for certain saw operations. What about getting a cheap contractor type saw (perhaps with a burned out motor) and mounting it on the mark V. voila - tilting arbor rather than tilting table =)

discuss...

I'm trying to imagine that ... I THINK that a tilting arbor requires that the motor tilt with it to keep things in line. I'm having a hard time imagining how the blade would tilt in your scenario while being attached to the stationary power take-off on the SS.

After all, that's why the table tilts on a Shopsmith in the first place.

nsmith01tx wrote:I'm trying to imagine that ... I THINK that a tilting arbor requires that the motor tilt with it to keep things in line. I'm having a hard time imagining how the blade would tilt in your scenario while being attached to the stationary power take-off on the SS.

After all, that's why the table tilts on a Shopsmith in the first place.

If you had a compressible & flexible deive shaft you could probably do it. Something like the old flexible drive shaft.

Even if it used its own motor, I think there could be value in incorporating it into the standard table system.

damagi wrote:If you had a compressible & flexible deive shaft you could probably do it. Something like the old flexible drive shaft.

Even if it used its own motor, I think there could be value in incorporating it into the standard table system.

If that's the case, why not just set it on a bench?

JPG40504 wrote:If that's the case, why not just set it on a bench?

I didn't say it had to make sense

In terms of the benefits - well, think of it like an SPT or a router table. The benefits of having the router table as a part of the shopsmith setup is space, incorporation of the fence/rails, etc. a small contractors saw, or perhaps a stripped down one afixed to the bottom of an extra main table, would be about the same size as a scroll saw. Rather than having a permanent infeed/outfeed table you could use the shopsmith ones.

like I said...just a thought.

damagi wrote:I didn't say it had to make sense

In terms of the benefits - well, think of it like an SPT or a router table. The benefits of having the router table as a part of the shopsmith setup is space, incorporation of the fence/rails, etc. a small contractors saw, or perhaps a stripped down one afixed to the bottom of an extra main table, would be about the same size as a scroll saw. Rather than having a permanent infeed/outfeed table you could use the shopsmith ones.

like I said...just a thought.

Gotta admit the idea of using the ss to set a routertable on does not 'add up' IMHO.

This discussion always amuses me. If you don't like the tilt feature of the Shopsmith, just don't use it. If you need a bevel cut, do it somewhere else or some other way.

Just how often do you need the table tilted? I can think of only one person on this forum who can rightly say he uses it (needs it) frequently.

The last time I tilted the table was when I built the last version of the outfeed table - maybe six months ago.

Dusty,
You are so right. On my last project I had to cut a 25 degree bevel so I used my bandsaw and that worked just fine and was alot safer. I have only had to use the bevel table once or twice myself and then I used the anti-gravity jig that Nick showed us to make.

I just finished sawing 45% angles on quite a few feet of 1x4. I then mounted these boards on the walls and the back of cabinets as French Cleats.

I was pleased how well the Shopsmith performed this function. A couple of feather boards on the top and sides and the use of an outfeed roller kept the 1x4s in the right position.

I really haven't found the tilting table as a problem.

At my Labor Day Home Show, I have a "jerk" loudly proclaim that only a tilt arbor table was worth buying and Shopsmith would never have or could be adapted for one. So, I am almost done with my 10" tilt arbor fixed table 510 table saw. It mounts like the thickness planer (uses the same clamps). I am using a auxiliary shaft in place of the motor and with a pulley on the quill shaft (Link belts). I made an adapter plate to mount the casing and tilt arbor assembly to the 510 main table. The 510 table lines up with the 510 extension tables and looks like a factory unit. I plan to permanmently mount this setup on a shorter Shopsmith for use in my shop.

The only major problem is this unit weights around 80 pds so I need help to mount/unmount it on the way tubes. I plan to display it in my booth at future Home Shows. The complete tilt arbor part is cast iron and very well built (from a Rigid TS2424). I hope to switch from belts to a flexible type drive system in the future.

I have no pictures of the finished unit yet as I disassemblied it for painting and have not reassembled it at this time. Too many other projects on-going at this time.