Best upper and lower guard option for Mark V 500?

[br549]

Here are a few better pics

[rpd]

I got the exact upper guard you pictured (looks identical) however it unfortunately didn't come with the mounting block. Even so, it isn't clear to me how it is supposed to mount directly to the table. Can you share a clearer picture of the attachment with the mounting block to the back of the table?

Thanks!

Manual for the guard.
www.lhdigest.com/SS/MANUALS/OTHER%20TOO ... 505875.pdf

[eagspoo]

How to the block actually attach to the table? Is it just friction/squeeze fit? I see there are two holes that might be for screws but my table doesn't have holes to accommodate those and the diagram in the pdf you shared also doesn't show any screws.

One other question, why do you prefer the old metal guard vs the lower guard shown in that pdf? There is a complete set, upper and lower, with the block I'm missing, available for $99 on Ebay right now and your comment that you prefer the older lower guard is making me hesitate, wondering if the lower guard will also have the same problems with not enough room for the blade, but no way to insert an piece to make it wider.

[chapmanruss]

The 505875 Saw Blade Guard set has the upper guard mounting block that uses two screws which go in the 2 holes shown in pictures 2 and 3 in br549's post above into the table tie bar and post. For older Mark 5/V's that requires drilling and tapping holes for that. In addition 2 holes have to be drilled and tapped in the tie bar for the part of the lower guard that attaches to the table tie bar. Some require removing a part of the edge of the table tie bar next to the rear post. The lower guard in this set cannot be expanded in width.

The 505627 Upper Saw Blade Guard with the 505628 Lower Saw Blade Guard does not require any modifications to be used on any Mark 5/V with the original table system. The Lower Guard does have an expansion insert that gives more width for this lower guard.

The Lower Guard 505628 can be used with the Upper Guard from the 505875 set for those wanting a clear upper guard and less modifications and/or more lower guard width. The upper guard 505627 has to be used with the lower guard 505628 or 505705 since it attaches directly to those lower guards.

[br549]

One other question, why do you prefer the old metal guard vs the lower guard shown in that pdf?

Sorry I wasn't clear about the two screws that hold on the mounting bracket ... drilling and tapping is required for those.

I have only ever had and used the original lower guard. The newer lower guard shown in pdf that rpd provided may work fine for you, but for me it seems like it has too many moving pieces. The foam that I use solved my main problem of where most of the dust escapes, when I care about catching dust. And I like its extra width that makes blade installation and blade changes a little easier for me. I can put the lower guard partially on, have enough space to still slip the blade on the quill, and then slide the lower guard completely on. I don't use the "hinged cover" screw to tilt the right side out of the way ... again, another moving part that I eliminated by sealing my lower guard (with the extension piece in place) using duct tape.

Perhaps you could get the set on ebay, try both, and sell what you don't like the best.

Note: The lower guard shown in the pdf is the first version, with only one 1 -1/4" dust collection port. I think that there is an upgrade available to convert it to two 2-1/2" dust collection ports, that I've read is much better at dust collection.

[eagspoo]

Is the lower guard advertised here really compatible with the 500? https://www.ebay.com/itm/284357891502

I'm worried it will have the same issue as my current lower guard (without the spacer I just bought) that it is too narrow to accept the arbor and blade safely, except that it will be worse because there is no way to put that spacer on it.

On that same note, what exactly is the thing about 505+ lower guards that makes them incompatible with the 500? Seems like the biggest thing is there is no way to attach the upper guard through the table but since I'm going to use the upper guard that attaches *to* the table, I should be able to use any lower guard. Is that right?

[chapmanruss]

The 505875 Saw Blade Guard set in the link for sale is the early version and has only a single 1-1/4" dust port. The later version and the upgrade kit has two 2-1/2" dust ports. Both are for the Mark 5 and Mark V 500 with the original table system.

[jsburger]

Is the lower guard advertised here really compatible with the 500? https://www.ebay.com/itm/284357891502

I'm worried it will have the same issue as my current lower guard (without the spacer I just bought) that it is too narrow to accept the arbor and blade safely, except that it will be worse because there is no way to put that spacer on it.

On that same note, what exactly is the thing about 505+ lower guards that makes them incompatible with the 500? Seems like the biggest thing is there is no way to attach the upper guard through the table but since I'm going to use the upper guard that attaches *to* the table, I should be able to use any lower guard. Is that right?

The difference is the table size. The 505+ has a larger table so the blade slot is farther away from the head stock spindle. The guard has to accommodate the difference. That is also why the saw blade arbors are different.

[chapmanruss]

eagspoo, you said

I'm worried it will have the same issue as my current lower guard (without the spacer I just bought) that it is too narrow to accept the arbor and blade safely, except that it will be worse because there is no way to put that spacer on it.

That comment has me wondering if you have the correct arbors. As John pointed out above the Saw Blade Guards sets are different for the Mark 5 and Mark V 500 than the Mark V 505, 510, 520 and Mark 7. Because of that there are different length saw blade arbors and if you are using one for the Mark V 505, 510, 520 and Mark 7 it is longer and will cause clearance problems in the Mark 5/V 500 lower Saw Guard. In the picture below is the 1-1/4" Saw Blade Arbors. 555130 is for the Mark V 505, 510, 520 and Mark 7. 505511 is for the Mark 5/V 500 with the original table system.

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