Shopsmith Forums

Why does shopsmith sell this whole pin router attachment for use with a separate router, instead of just selling a few parts to allow you to use the shopsmith headstock for pin routing? It seems to me that all you would need is a set of different sized pins, and you could make your own inserts with the pins, and you're off and running. Does the shopsmith headstock not get fast enough for this type of routing? I have this old shopsmith book from the 60's that writes about every possible use for a shopsmith and it shows pin routing as one of the potential applications, which is why I thought of it. So what gives?

furniturebypete wrote:Why does shopsmith sell this whole pin router attachment for use with a separate router, instead of just selling a few parts to allow you to use the shopsmith headstock for pin routing? It seems to me that all you would need is a set of different sized pins, and you could make your own inserts with the pins, and you're off and running. Does the shopsmith headstock not get fast enough for this type of routing? I have this old shopsmith book from the 60's that writes about every possible use for a shopsmith and it shows pin routing as one of the potential applications, which is why I thought of it. So what gives?

Many believe that the 7500 + rpm of the SS headstock is not fast enough to rout with. I find the speed satifactory but I have learned to let the speed of the machine guide me instead of my desire to get it done.

That said the new Power Pro has a higher speed (10,000 + RPM I think ). Again to me it is bonus but some will still probably argue you need 20,000+ to do a proper job.

In any case the Overhead Pin Router package sold by SS is another avenue for them to make money and satisfy those that think you have to have the speed of a hand held router to accomplish the task.

I've just used the power pro to do some routing. I used a 3/8 straight bit to make some dados. It worked great.

All true.... but there are other nice points to the dedicated Overarm Router setup.

The ability to plunge & lock with one hand on the handle (pull and twist the same handle, respectively) is very convenient. That plunge & lock aspect isn't so easy to do with the standard headstock.

The Overarm mounts are also flexible; you can get your router-axis closer or further from the way-tubes if you need to. That adjustment isn't available on the standard headstock quill-axis.

The maximum speed of the Mark V is 5700 RPM, not 7500 RPM.

stephen_a._draper wrote:The maximum speed of the Mark V is 5700 RPM, not 7500 RPM.

Ahem! Make that 5200 RPM!!;)

The earlier ss info was before the 'router' explosion in marketing.

It will indeed do quite well, but due to slower speed, feed rates must be slowed down also.

As mentioned above there are advantages(although the feed/plow stuff above, I think I have done with a stock ss).

With a power pro/M7/MVII the under the table rouring function is also available.

Pros/cons both ways. To each his own. Some tasks more suited to one than the other.

Now as for the 'jointmatic'. . . That turns the router on its side!:D

Thanks for responses everyone! So it sounds like the ss will work as a pin router, at least on a limited basis. So my next question is, where can I get the pins? It looks like I'd have to buy a whole set-up just to get the pins from ss. Is there any place to just get pins to create my own pin routing cut-outs?

[quote="JPG40504"]Ahem! Make that 5200 RPM!!]

With the OPR one can work from above or from the side. I like having the set up separate so I can do multiple steps in a process without re-tooling. I used my 520 with a router table mounted on it prior to the OPR. I had trouble with the table flexing. Okay I am a heavy guy and like to lean on the table. I also prefer the router where I can see the bit on top of the work. Thus offering greater control. So I am not perfect. Fjimp

These are the pin part #'s from the Router Arm Upgrade manual. They are in the online catalog, but you'll have to call CS to find if they are available.

515499 1/4" 10 32 Pin
Price $5.58

515500 1/2" 10 32 Pin
Price $4.46

515502 3/8" 10 32 Pin
Price $11.89

Sincerely,

Ron309753

What is cs? Do you mean ss?