Replies

1. 
   cheakamus | Feb 01, 2006 07:54am | #1

   I don't know about a jig, but a Shopsmith router is, in effect, an overhead router.

2. 
   garmtn | Feb 01, 2006 11:09pm | #2

   Go to "http://www.newwoodworker.com" and look under plans for adjustable router guide.  Good Luck.  garmtn

3. 
   RickL | Feb 05, 2006 01:35am | #3

   Google on the subject. Popular Mechanics had one on their site. Vertas makes an arm with the pin on the arm and utilizes a plunge router below with a lever to move it up and down. Grizzly sells a couple including a bench mount model. Delta used to sell a couple including a smaller Onsrud bottom mounted router. FWW had a very small article years on on overhead routers but barely touched upon the subject. I've used big ones extensivley in large factories and unfortunatel there is little documention on using these. Typically it is learned hands on with previous operators giving the ins and outs of this amazing, versatile machine. largely replaced by CNC but still a viable option in the small shop. Different sized pins with the same sized bit will yield carying sized rabbets and they are especially good for template work on copying patrs with master patterns. Especially good for tight curves and internal shapes that would be difficult to do other ways.

1. 
   tang | Feb 07, 2006 02:51pm | #4

   Thanks everyone for your tips. The most informative link regarding overhead or pin routers was the Popular Mechanics article suggested by RickL. Here's the link for anyone who's interested. http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/workshop/1274466.html

   Tang

1. 
   RickL | Feb 07, 2006 07:08pm | #5

   http://www.grizzly.com/products/mach-specs.aspx?key=560020

   Unfortunately there is little to explain the virtues of this machine. I picked up a Wood Tech version of the  medium sized pin router  for $200. I've got an English book on machines that gives some information on pin routers but nothing too deep.  I have  a bunch of old vocational text books and those are prtty lame as well in general on machines.  

    Try to imagine, say a 1" router bit and the effects of using different sized guide pins and different depths to get some idea of the possibilities.