Shopsmith Forums

I'm picking up parts (Ebay) to convert my 500 machine to a 510. I have instructions to convert a 500 to a 520, but not to a 510. It is my understanding that a video was available, through Shopsmith, for those wishing to convert to the 510 upgrade?...or are there other materials available that help explain this process?

There isn't much for instruction but it should be the same as the 520. The rails are different but the tables and carriage are all the same. Replace all the components and align the table.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/500to510.htm

joshh wrote:There isn't much for instruction but it should be the same as the 520. The rails are different but the tables and carriage are all the same. Replace all the components and align the table.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/500to510.htm

Thanks for the quick comeback. After reading the 500-to-520 conversion I'm clear on what is to be done there, I was just curious if there was anything further to understand with the "other" conversion. My equipment hasn't arrived yet, so I've got plenty of time to study up on the work involved...

Thanks again for the comeback...JIM.

There is a 500 to 510 dvd available somewhere. I got one when I bought my conversion from Shopsmith. I don't know where it is today.


This might be the one that came with my 510 conversion. Or, at least, it should be similar.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... 0to520.htm

When I purchased my SS at a State Fair demo many years ago, I purchased a factory upgraded demo. A 505 upgraded to a 510. It was shipped fully assembled, thank goodness, so I'm not much help with the conversion. However I still have the complete binders for operation and adjustment.

Be aware there are two versions of 510 tables and rails. More than likely yours will be the later version, but it is imperative than all the pieces are from the same version.

The older version has holes in the front of the rails to access screws that screw into tapped holes in the tables.

The jack screws are smaller on the older version.

The newer version has kep nuts securing the rails from under the table and has studs attached to the rails.

The center screw/stud is located differently on the two versions.

JPG40504 wrote:The center screw/stud is located differently on the two versions.

Is that true for only the main table or also the floating tables?

joshh wrote:Is that true for only the main table or also the floating tables?

Only the main table has a 'center' screw of three on each end.

JPG40504 wrote:Be aware there are two versions of 510 tables and rails. More than likely yours will be the later version, but it is imperative than all the pieces are from the same version.

The older version has holes in the front of the rails to access screws that screw into tapped holes in the tables.

The jack screws are smaller on the older version.

The newer version has kep nuts securing the rails from under the table and has studs attached to the rails.

The center screw/stud is located differently on the two versions.

This is all true but you did not mention the OD of the 510 rails. Is the OD on the two versions the same?

Even though I know that a couple members of this forum have had some real difficult times trying to align tables, I am not convinced that their problems were caused solely by the mix of 510 rails.

Who, amongst the membership of this illustrious group, has compared the physical characteristics of one version with the other. I would do so but I have never even seen a set of older table rails (those with through holes rather than studs).

dusty wrote:This is all true but you did not mention the OD of the 510 rails. Is the OD on the two versions the same?

Even though I know that a couple members of this forum have had some real difficult times trying to align tables, I am not convinced that their problems were caused solely by the mix of 510 rails.

Who, amongst the membership of this illustrious group, has compared the physical characteristics of one version with the other. I would do so but I have never even seen a set of older table rails (those with through holes rather than studs).

The OD is the same, but the ID is different.

Here is more detail including a side by side of the floating tables: http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthr ... light=1986