510 table alignment - follow-up, mods, and tweaks

cobalt60 · Post by **cobalt60** » Sat May 14, 2011 2:12 am

Hi all,

You may remember a thread a while back where I was obsessing over the 510 main-to-floating table alignment, here:

http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthread.htm?t=7100

It's been a while since then, and my apologies for my lack of replies -- life got away with itself. First off, I'd like to say HUGE THANKS to dusty for sending an extra set of 510 main table tubes. Dusty, I still owe you the shipping costs, and I'll send it this weekend. Again, my apologies for the delay!!

We all seemed to agree the problem stemmed from the difference in the inside diameters of the tubes, and dusty's replacements were indeed a great match, and really did a better job of alignment. But I also had another idea I was confident enough to explore, now that I had two sets. Check it out:

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In short, there are five tiny tapped holes on the underside of the 510 main table tube. Tiny set screws push upwards on the extension tube. Now, this probably seems fiddly, but I've found that I can adjust them once and "forget them" for a while. The result is a true micro-adjustment for the main, floating, and extension tables, such that I can get them all nearly perfectly flat.

But... SO WHAT? (to be continued, though I guess there's some clues in that last pic!)

cobalt60 · Post by **cobalt60** » Sat May 14, 2011 2:21 am

So what, you ask? Well, there's a few tasks I don't trust my trusty ShopSmith for. In particular, for me, routing is best done by a router, and I mostly use my router mounted in a table.

I really wanted to combine the occasional convenience of a router table with the space-saving but high-quality performance of the SS. So, with help from a local metal-working friend, I machined out some of a floating table.

Well, OK you caught me. I did this work before I posted my first thread. THIS is why I really wanted the floating table top to align with the other tables -- if they do, I have a very flexible platform for a SS router table!

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By the way, this handy find is the "Eliminator" chuck, which not only lets me change bits without the wrench-pinch technique (actually uses the SS-standard hex size!), but also raises the bit high enough to change from the top of the table.

... but is THAT ALL?

cobalt60 · Post by **cobalt60** » Sat May 14, 2011 2:35 am

If you're still reading, you probably realize there's more to come.

After setting up this router table originally, I started work on a plywood/MDF based 510 fence attachment to use as an adjustable router fence. That worked OK, but I had some PayPal funds burning a hole in my e-pocket and won an eBay auction for an Incra Twin Linear. Not familiar with the model? Most aren't, as it's pretty old, but it's really the predecessor to their current incremental fences, with most of the Wonder Fence features built in. They seem to have fallen off the current user's radar, so the one I got was really pretty cheap (honestly the raw aluminum seems worth more than I paid).

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As you can sort-of-see, it's mounted to the OTHER floating table with simple threaded holes drilled and tapped into the top. A small amount of wiggle room allows the incremental bars to be aligned square to the miter slots. The Twin Linear itself has more built-in adjustment for perfect squaring up.

cobalt60 · Post by **cobalt60** » Sat May 14, 2011 2:40 am

As you might be able to see, this fence works for me as a table saw fence and a router table fence.

Here it is pressed flat against the sanding disc for some reason. I guess I was trying to show that it's range extends the entire SS. Or something.

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Here's a more proper router fence function. Want to make fun of me for using a bearing-bit to show this feature? Go right ahead.

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Party in the front, dust collection in the rear.

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cobalt60 · Post by **cobalt60** » Sat May 14, 2011 2:44 am

If you'd like to take an intermission, now might be the time.

...

While you enjoy your cold beer, you might wonder why I mounted the Incra to the floating table. My answer is twofold. First, this arrangement allows the SS to flip up into drill press function seamlessly. Well, you need to be CAREFUL, but it's still almost as fast and painless as usual.

In the shot below, all I did was loosen the extension tubes, remove the router table, and flip up the SS as per usual.

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If it looks like it's touching the floor, rest assured that there's a full inch or so clearance. Not much, but nothing to worry about

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cobalt60 · Post by **cobalt60** » Sat May 14, 2011 2:52 am

So that's good I guess, but the second reason I liked the floating table mount is that it lets me use the fence in drill press mode too!

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Oh, and this little add-on, for those less familiar with Incra stuffs, is a "right angle fixture." It slides along the fence, but remains square, and adds support to any piece while it goes. It can also lock in place anywhere along the way.

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cobalt60 · Post by **cobalt60** » Sat May 14, 2011 3:00 am

All that may seem ridiculous, but honestly, that kind of reliable, repeatable precision can open up some cool options. It can also be just-plain-convenient sometimes. Here's an odd example.

The whole fence system locks in regular increments of 1/32". It also can be micro-adjusted for hair-nudges, if that's what you're into. Let's say I want to drill six holes, perfectly in-line and a fixed distance from the edge of a piece, and all exactly 15/32" apart from each other.

It starts at the "zero" point, note the two sets of measurement increments on the embedded, easily replaced ruler thingy. We're looking at the red lines here.
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And here's the first lock-down mark for the first hole.
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You might say this is a ridiculous scenario, but honestly, for me, it comes up at least once per project.

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dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat May 14, 2011 6:14 am

Really nice job and a perfect example of the versatility of the Mark V platform.

I do now understand why you obsessed over the alignment of the rails.

I am envious of the Incra fence. I have an older and much smaller version that I use in the same way except I hardly ever use it with the drill press. I'll have to think about that and try it.

Thanks for the explanation and photo spread.

camerio · Post by **camerio** » Sat May 14, 2011 7:15 am

Wow ! I really enjoyed this presentation with all the photos. Real good work for the photos and for your ingenious set up. I am still amazed at what you can do with a Shopsmith.
Won - der - ful .
I really enjoyed my coffee this morning ... I don't drink beer ...
oops !@?
Who put some brandy in it ?
Thanks for this presentation.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Sat May 14, 2011 7:49 am

Well done! Thanks for the detailed explanation.