Shopsmith 555970 manual Introduction, What Can I Do With This Tool?, What Is Pin Routing?

555970 MARK V – MOUNTED OVERARM PIN ROUTER

INTRODUCTION

Shopsmith’s MARK-V Mounted Overarm Pin Router can perform many jobs that are normally intended for other tools . . . and it can usually perform these operations much faster and with far greater precision and re- peatability than you could hope to achieve using more conventional methods.

It’s called an Overarm Router because it op- erates with the rotating bit above the workpiece rather than below it . . . providing a clear view of what’s going on at all times while you’re cutting . . . unlike a typical router table set-up where the bit makes its cuts on the underside of your workpiece.

This approach also means that you won’t need a costly, under-table router motor lift to help you make precise depth-of-cut ad- justments. With the MARK-V Mounted Overarm Pin Router, these adjustments are made using your Overarm Router’s Quill Lever, just as you would when drilling holes or performing similar operations with a drill press or your MARK V.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH THIS TOOL?

Those who are familiar with Pin Routers of- ten believe that the only operation such a machine will perform is duplicate routing, This simply isn’t true!

In fact, Shopsmith’s Overarm Pin Router will perform any operation that can be per- formed with a typical router table. As a re- sult, you’ll soon find yourself reaching for your Overarm Router for a multitude of woodworking operations, including:

•Basic straight-line routing operations

•Routing decorative edges and surface de- signs on straight, round or curved workpieces of all types, including furni- ture, cabinets, tabletops, etc.

•Cutting precision dadoes, grooves, rab-

bets, dovetails and other types of struc- tural joints

•Making all types of stopped cuts

•Repairing furniture and veneers

•Jointing the edges of workpieces

•“Sawing” straight and irregular shapes

•Drilling holes

•Pin routing duplicate workpieces with matchless repeatability

WHAT IS PIN ROUTING?

Pin Routing is a simple operation through which you can quickly and easily make many duplicate copies of a particular project and have each one turn out exactly the same.

In fact, prior to the introduction of CNC (computer numerically controlled) Routers, this was one of the primary processes used by most furniture manufacturers when cut- ting-out odd-shaped project components.

In a nutshell, here’s how it works:

•A template or fixture is created by cutting 3/8" deep grooves (1/4", 3/8" or 1/2" wide) that exactly match the shape of the workpieces you’re making

•A straight router bit is then inserted into your router motor . . .which is mounted in the Overarm Router

•A tracing pin (same size as your straight bit: either 1/4", 3/8" or 1/2") is inserted into the Overarm Router’s Table Plate – and the pin and router bit are aligned per- fectly with one another

•A workpiece blank is temporarily attached to the back side of the template containing the pattern groove

•The template or fixture is flipped over (workpiece attached) and its groove dropped over the tracing pin

•The router is turned on and the bit low- ered into the workpiece while the groove

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