I keep seeing SCM overhead pin routers going secondhand for the same price as a decent router. I have a couple of projects where both a pattern follower and a router table would be useful. What I can’t understand is why they sell so (relatively) cheaply, an I missing something because to me they seem a far better option than investing in a router table setup. Space wise they aren’t that big, the only thing I can think of which holds them back from the keen wood worker is that they are 3ph. I haven’t had the opportunity so far to us one and would appreciate views from those who have.
Overhead Router
- Thread starter deema
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worn thumbs
Established Member
Wonderful machines.I have used a couple of Wadkins and a small Zimmermann.The Zimmermann also had a head that could tilt in two directions and could be fed down at a compound angle by a lead screw.I don't know anything about the SCM machines but if you find they come complete with guide pins for template routing and a fence,you will be able to do quite a lot.You can also use any bearing guided cutters too.
Trevanion
Greatest Of All Time
They used to be the CNC machine of their time and can be very versatile in the right hands. They were pretty much obsolete over 20 years ago, even more so now with more affordable CNC machines. I know a lot of firms have got rid of them along with schools and colleges so there is a massive abundance of them online and since nobody really wants to use them in manufacturing anymore the prices are pretty good. You'd pick up a good one for £100-300 despite machine dealers still wanting £1500+(Which they will never get).
The only problem is nobody really knows how to use them anymore, the one we had in college was basically an ornament of the past as nobody knew how to use it as everyone that did either retired or had passed away without passing on the knowledge. It's a very niche bit of equipment, to be honest. Although it's probably people like me that have been discounting them as niche that's killed them off though.
The only problem is nobody really knows how to use them anymore, the one we had in college was basically an ornament of the past as nobody knew how to use it as everyone that did either retired or had passed away without passing on the knowledge. It's a very niche bit of equipment, to be honest. Although it's probably people like me that have been discounting them as niche that's killed them off though.
RobinBHM
Established Member
The main thing is the pin.
There is a pin in the table, that can be raised or retracted.
With a template you can move the template around the pin and the work that is above gets cut by tbe router bit.
The machines have a foot pedal to raise and lower the cutter.
The cutters were often single flute spoon type bits that went in an eccentric chuck, adjustable to change the cutting diameter.
Watford and Elu made smaller single phase machines. Wadkin made big beasts with a great big frequency changer.
The machines were used a lot in furniture production, superceded by CNC.
Thanks guys, Im thinking of the SCM as it’s still in manufacture and doesn’t use a large heavy and big frequency converter that the Wadkins required. I’m thing of making a simple bolt on fence as it already has dust extraction from around the bit built in. The SCM takes modern router bits.
The prices asked / that they are selling for us just about scrap value, which seems ridiculous at £300~£600. I can’t at the moment see what a router table can do that this won’t be able to with the added advantage of the pin for template following. I believe the motors are beefed enough to take off any depth of cut like a spindle moulder.
How easy is it to set the bit height? Can this be done accurately or was this it’s Achilles heel?
The prices asked / that they are selling for us just about scrap value, which seems ridiculous at £300~£600. I can’t at the moment see what a router table can do that this won’t be able to with the added advantage of the pin for template following. I believe the motors are beefed enough to take off any depth of cut like a spindle moulder.
How easy is it to set the bit height? Can this be done accurately or was this it’s Achilles heel?
worn thumbs
Established Member
On those I used setting the cutter height was easy as there was a screw adjustment for the motor with a locking screw.On the Wadkin you could also raise and lower the table.One other thing that hasn't been mentioned is that by varying the size of the guide pin and cutter you can cut rebates.One note of caution,if you plan to work with small pieces do use a jig that keeps your hands well out of the way.I had occasion to make some small plastic items about 35mm square and made a two handled jig about 500mm long and it worked very well.
