Shopsmith Forums

I am new to Shopsmith, and I bought a used Model 510 that I had to disassemble to move it to its new home. I did not remove the rails from the main table, but I did remove the rails on the extension and floating tables.

I now am setting up and trying to align the unit. The version of the Manual that I received (Rev. A (11/04)) (1) doesn’t say anything (that I have yet found) about alignment of the main table rails and (2) aligns the extension table by straight-edge reference to the table top of the main table. After the extension table top is aligned by straight edge to the main table top, the extension table tubes are aligned with the main table tubes (by straight edge). My concern is that alignment of the extension table tubes by reference to the main table tubes doesn’t accomplish much if the main table tubes are out of alignment with respect to the main table.

I recently purchased the Shopsmith Help Kit, and the Mark V Alignment & Maintenance Manual (Rev B 8/01) that comes in the package uses the same process to align the extension table as in the Manual. The Help Kit does not rely on the main table rails for alignment of the extension table; instead, the alignment of the extension table is by reference to the main table itself. Once the extension table is aligned to the main table, the extension table tubes are aligned to the main table tubes. This document also does not discuss alignment of the main table tubes. Again, my concern is that alignment of the extension table tubes by reference to the main table tubes doesn’t accomplish much if the main table tubes are out of alignment.

I have been reading in this forum about alignment of the main and extension tables. I also watched the Sawdust Session in which Nick Engler demonstrated how to align a 520 model extension table by using the rails of the main table and an extension tube to the extension table. In other words, Nick did not use the main table as the reference point; he used the main table rails. Even though I have a 510, not a 520, I still learned a lot about alignment issues.

Help! Is there a consensus as to the proper (or best) alignment of a 510 extension table? If I rely on the main table rails to align the extension table, my main table rails need to be correctly positioned. How do I determine if the main table rails are properly aligned so that they can serve as the starting point to align the extension table? I read in several places that there is aluminum gauge (to align the main table tubes, I think) that ships with some Shopsmith machines, but I did not receive such a gauge (or I do not recognize it). Is that gauge only for 520s? Is there another technique or gauge that will give me a good alignment of the main table tubes?

Any help would be appreciated. If I am totally off the mark with my questions, I would appreciate your redirection so that I get on the correct path.

Thanks, Hank

Hank , Welcome to the forum. I will not attempt to answer your question, but some one will surely do that soon. This is an incredible place where folks are very willing to share the expertise. Opps, clearly you have been here before!

The 'gauge' is for use with 520 rails. The mounting holes on the 520 rails have a bit of 'slop' that the gauge is used to position them correctly.

Now as to the 510 rails. Question 1 is which version do you have? The early version(with access holes) are not adjustable since the screws securing them to the table are screwed into tapped holes in the table front/rear.

The later version has studs attached to the rails that fit through clearance holes in the front/rear of the tables, and are secured with nuts having a captive lock washer. Only the screw/hole clearance permits any 'adjustment'.

My take on aligning them is use a STRAIGHT connecting tube to 'align' the rails. First align the extension table top to the main table top. I believe you already understand how to do that. Next loosen the rails(both main and extension table), insert the connecting tube. snug the outer nuts securing the rails, and alternating between main and ext table, work away from the ends. Repeat by tightening them in the same sequence until 'tight enough'. Do make sure to 'tighten' the connecting tube in the rails before snugging the nuts.

If all is well, the connecting tube should release easily from the rails and slide in/out easily. If not, perfection was not achieved. Some mis-alignment may have to be tolerated.

I would NOT recommend increasing any screw hole clearances to make it better!!!!!:(

Thanks, JPG. I will do the alignment as soon as I clear my shop space of the deck furniture I now am refinishing.

Hank