Photo compair of 520 vs 500

reible · Post by **reible** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 2:54 am

I thought this might be useful. After I get some of these pictures posted we can have a discussion about them.

I am not here to sell you a 520 or to tell you that it fine you have a 500. I have two of each, can you believe it? After upgrading my original 500 to a 520 and my 510 to a 520 I missed the 500 sooo if anything I'm a bit of a fan of the 500.

Some time we hear table sizes or see a picture of two different machines that is intended to show the difference. I went a different route, I have attempted to locate the 500 table on top of the 520 in a position referencing where the blades are on each of the tables and aligning them to that. I might be a bit off but it is pretty darn close.

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More pictures coming as I have time.

Ed

reible · Post by **reible** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:15 am

Some upgrades that I did to my 500 was the replacement of the original extension table top with the wide top. I also purchased a second extension table with the wide top. Here are a couple of shots so you can see the changes these make.

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While not as flexible as the 520 these additions do make the 500 more friendly.

Next post we will talk about something I have not attempted on this hardware but might be worth looking in to for some of you.

Ed

reible · Post by **reible** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:23 am

On the 520 extension tables there are four tapped holes for the legs to mount on but an extra set of holes are in place that can be tapped and the legs mounted in the "other" location. So one can pick having the longer section of the extension table facing inside or outside.

As you can see the underside of the 500 table has the same pattern.

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The problem is that the "extra spots" can not be tapped for the standard size bolt.

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It could be that an insert with the correct diameter might be able to be put in and a method of using either side could be possible. I have not tried this, someone else could look into this if you are interested and share with us????

Ed

reible · Post by **reible** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 3:38 am

On the nest box No. 10 project we needed to cut some wide boards. Someone ask about doing this on a 500, and the answer is yes it can be done.

The key here is the front table extension. Another item I purchased early on to make it nicer to work on projects like the one mentioned. This spring I picked another one for my upnorth 500. Having two would be a nice addition for even one shopsmith as they can be mounted on the main table or added to the front of the extension table.

Before we get to that let's compare the two system. As you can see the 520 with its t-slot and additional table space has its advantages.

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If you go by just this picture one would have to say that using the 500 would be unsafe for this operation, any no I would never attempt to make this cut this way.

Bring on the front table extension.

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Or two of them. More then likely you would want to have the second one on an extension table for added support but you get the idea.

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So who say this coming?

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So now what do you say? Yea me too, I want one of these for the 520!

Go for the comments and questions.

Others that want to post photos please feel free, I'm kind of done here other wise.

Ed

algale · Post by **algale** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 7:47 am

Thanks, Ed. It is interesting to see the differences in table size like this. Also, on the 500 front miter extensions, they look a little droopy. Is that just the photo?

reible · Post by **reible** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:07 am

algale wrote:Thanks, Ed. It is interesting to see the differences in table size like this. Also, on the 500 front miter extensions, they look a little droopy. Is that just the photo?

The droopy is more then likely me rushing and not tightening the knobs.

The extensions are adjustable so they can be set to be flat with the main table, this also allows for variations in the tables.

Ed

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:41 pm

GREAT presentation, thanks for your time and effort. Seeing the comparison side by side is very informative.

joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Tue Apr 10, 2012 12:56 pm

Thanks Ed. Having only a 520 & ER I did not know there was that much difference. I know the ER is really small.

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Thu Apr 12, 2012 7:55 am

Those are great pictures! I think that the 500 is still a great design! Please remember the secondary saw slot on the 500 table. Compare that to the 520 right hand support on main table. Ingenious! As far as I know, the 500 is the only table saw design ever equipped with two slots. I love my 500! Alec