SmartShop|Maker Owner’s Manual
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The Spoil Board has three (3) functions:
1. Protects the vacuum table from the router bits - Set the depth of the router bit set to exact
spoil board height. Without a spoil board, the machine would cut into the vacuum table.
2. Transfers vacuum between the table and the workpiece - Inexpensive Medium-Density
Fiberboard (MDF) is the best material for this function.
3. Provides a cheap, disposable work surface – Unlike a wooden table, a disposable spoil
board can be resurfaced without impacting the life of the machine.
5.8 Spoil Board Preparation
The spoil board should not be less than ¾ of an inch thick.
The MDF that you purchase will not be perfectly flat. The SmartShop|Maker will be cutting to
accuracy in the order of a few thousandths of an inch so the spoil board will need to be machined
to ensure a flat surface. Over time, when the spoil board has been skimmed many times and has
been reduced to ½ inch thick or less, discard it and start a new spoil board.
1. Cut your spoil board to the size of the bed of the machine.
2. Prior to placing the spoil board onto the vacuum table, verify the table is perfectly clean and
free from sawdust and dirt. If there is sawdust etc. on the table, it will change the height of the
spoil board and it will not be flat. It is strongly recommended that you do not wipe or brush the
table clean.
3. Turn on the vacuum.
4. Fly cut the total surface of the spoil board. Only cut the minimum needed to achieve a flat
surface over the entire board. Skim the surface several times during the life of the spoil board
to clean it up and skim only the minimum off the surface.
5. Once the face is flat, remove the vacuum, turn the spoil board over, and repeat the process
for the other face of the spoil board.
Spoil boards are porous and will absorb moisture. Over time, the absorption of moisture will
change the dimensions of the board. Day-to-day changes are normally insignificant and will occur
across the entire board evenly. However, if liquids are spilled on the board, it will be absorbed
and cause the board to grow in the affected area. Do not allow the board to get wet. If an accident
should happen, remove the board from the machine and allow it to dry. Drying may take several
days. Meanwhile, use a new board. Once the wet board has completely dried it may be possible
to recut and re-use. If the board cannot be cut flat, it should be scrapped.
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