It's probably worth noting that using a ZCI on a Shopsmith is a little trickier than it is on a conventional table saw, due to all the adjustments available on a Shopsmith. You can't just switch over to table saw configuration, drop in the ZCI, and expect it to remain zero-clearance.
Here's the ZCI-installation procedure that I finally settled on:
- Before moving the table into position, remove the table insert. I do this even if the ZCI is already installed, because otherwise, when lowering the table it's dang hard to see when the blade is aligned with the slot.
- Unlock the quill, allowing it to fully retract.
- Move the table into position, with the blade slightly left of center in the opening, and tighten both the carriage and the table-height locks. For square cuts, best practice is to tie the main table to the extension table at this point.
- Drop the ZCI slot over the saw blade.
- Extend the quill enough for the insert to fit into the table cutout, and lightly lock the quill.
- Install the ZCI mounting screws.
- Unlock the quill, and fine-tune the quill extension while rotating the blade by hand. When the teeth just barely kiss the sides of the ZCI slot, tighten the quill lock.
After doing it a few times, this process becomes second nature, and requires very little extra setup time. There are other ways to skin that cat, of course. But if you don't fine-tune the blade position to the ZCI slot one way or another, you're likely to be making a LOT of ZCI's! :eek:
