Router Table, Opinions Please

[dusty]

I have just installed a new router table (555995). I don't know why but it doesn't "feel" right.

Do I have it installed backwards?

Think about the rip fence. It seems like it'll be on the wrong side of the blade. Also the feather boards. In other words, is the front rail on the back of the table and the back rail on the front of the table. If I made that change, the table itself would be rotated 180 degrees.

The table is 555995 and not 555595. In the catalog, It does appear that the insert is centered in the table but it is not (as stated in another post/this thread).

[reible]

I have just installed a new router table (555595). I don't know why but it doesn't "feel" right.

Do I have it installed backwards?

Think about the rip fence. It seems like it'll be on the wrong side of the blade. Also the feather boards. In other words, is the front rail on the back of the table and the back rail on the front of the table. If I made that change, the table itself would be rotated 180 degrees.
Hi,

I don't own one of these but it looks very much like it could rotate by changing the rails sides on the table. When mounted I think you want the system to always have the front rails to the front and back to the back, if you just rotate it with out moving the rails it will not line up with the other tables etc.

From the picture it looks like the mounting plate is centered, is that correct?

Now I guess I don't know what seems wrong from your perspective. The fence would be on the oposite side of the bit from where you would stand... the bit between you and the fence. If you have the 521963 fence then you are all set. If you don't you will need to make something that will work like that does. Some how you have to be able to have the bit set with in the "fence".

If you don't have that fence then you will have to come up with something. As you might expect I have just the thing. I'm soaking my foot right now but in 20 minutes or so I can go and get the part and shoot a few pictures, it is not my design but came from the manual I got with my Incra system. It is not designed for the shopsmith but it should be easy to make it work.

Ed

[reible]

Still soaking my foot but I was able to reach a catalog. When I look at the table number you gave me it looks different then yours. The one I'm looking at looks like it is centered both left and right and back to front. I'm also not seeing all the holes that yours has. Now I more confused then ever.

Ed

[reible]

This is a fence that lets you have two fixed openings (it flips over to do that) that let cutters be mounted below it and yet away from the real fence. You can adapt it by having various opennings or maybe even a replaceable insert...

The brass part are there to show you where the bit would be. And of course this is on the shopsmith main table that it is sitting on and of course this is not a router table....

Ed

[dusty]

ed

The insert is centered between the front rail and the rear rail but it is offset the other direction.

When I mounted this to the SS, I expected to stand off to the left end and face toward the headstock. In this position, the short side of the table is between myself and the blade. I think I want the larger side of the table between myself and the blade. Also, I think I want the feather boards between myself and the fence (pushing stock to the fence). The holes (there are eight of them) for the feather boards (I think) are on the far side of the blade.

Yes, if I rotated the table, I would have to exchange the rails.

Hope your foot gets better soon.

[reible]

Hi,

Yes I think you do need to do the rotate. You would like to have the featherbds as you say.

This more or less means that the table will always mount on this end of the machine, yea you could keep switching rails but that would not be much fun. Do you have any problem with keeping it for just that end? As it is it would work fine on the right side, right?

Ed

[dusty]

You have made a good point, ed. I might be wiser to use the router table either on the other end or to the right of the main table. In one of the Saw Dust Sessions, that is where Nick and Jim had it mounted.

I was trying to locate a place where I could plan on leaving it mounted almost all of the time. To the left end it could be more or less permanent. Anywhere else it becomes involved with all setup changes.

I'm still looking for opinions on where the featherboards and fence should be with respect to the router blade.

[reible]

As far as your system I see no reason to set it up different then any standard router table.

The fence will be to the back, then the bit then the feather boards. You should also have a place on the table or insert for a safety pin (starting pin) and that should be to the right of the bit.

The feed is from right to left when using the fence, again just like any other router table. When using the safety pin and piloted bits outside cuts go the same way.... inside cuts in the other direction. And of course as you know you can't trap the wood between the bit and the fence......... This is sometimes called the left hand rule, the hand held on the table will have the thumb pointed towards the fence and the fingers point the direction of feed. You can think of the pilot bearing as the fence for those cases.

Some people use "climb" cutting but I always find a way to not do it that way... you know I kind on like my finger just like they are. Some famous router people do it and even tell others to but I'm not buying into it... I've flubbed up a few times in my younger years and know how fast things get out of hand even when you are taking a light cut....

If you are going to do jointing you have to have some form of a split fence and the outfeed side has to take up the amount that the bit cuts off. Lots of simple ways to do that as well.

When do an edge cut it is best to isolate the bearing so just the fence is controlling it... and the rest of the bit needs to be inside the fence.

What do you have as far as a shield and for dust pick-up. You really want to cover the bits to protect yourself... if not from sticking body parts in the wrong place you can also have knots in the wood explode... or hidden metal bits in the wood.

OK maybe I added a bit to much but safety is always a concern.

Ed