Double tilt upgrade from my perspective

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 8:45 pm

One almost has to see the double tilt upgrade up close and personal and try to twist either end. I am no engineer but have aligned tables often enough to realize that alignment will be required far less frequently and not be as difficult to do after the upgrade. Now assuming that isn't enough to catch your interest. I upgraded my first 520 Power Pro when the upgrade was first introduced. Alignment issues disappeared so completely that I recently upgraded my other 520 to the double tilt. My son was a doubting Thomas (not his real name) who became convinced when the upgrade was completed in less than an hour including table alignment. Admittedly I have no interest in using the Power Pro as a router so will never use the doble tilt feature, still ending alignment issues pushes my hot button big time. As the saying goes "Try it You'll like it!" My next step is to take both sets of replaced assemblies for recycling. Jim

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 8:52 pm

fjimp wrote:One almost has to see the double tilt upgrade up close and personal and try to twist either end. I am no engineer but have aligned tables often enough to realize that alignment will be required far less frequently and not be as difficult to do after the upgrade. Now assuming that isn't enough to catch your interest. I upgraded my first 520 Power Pro when the upgrade was first introduced. Alignment issues disappeared so completely that I recently upgraded my other 520 to the double tilt. My son was a doubting Thomas (not his real name) who became convinced when the upgrade was completed in less than an hour including table alignment. Admittedly I have no interest in using the Power Pro as a router so will never use the doble tilt feature, still ending alignment issues pushes my hot button big time. As the saying goes "Try it You'll like it!" My next step is to take both sets of replaced assemblies for recycling. Jim

Yours and Ed Reible's reports would have pushed me over the edge on the double tilt UNTIL I realized that I could not leave an SPT resident on the left end (either end actually) when I went to drill press mode.

The bandsaw has always been problem but the jointer and the belt sander can be left in place during drill press mode with 500/505/510/520.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 9:36 pm

dusty wrote:Yours and Ed Reible's reports would have pushed me over the edge on the double tilt UNTIL I realized that I could not leave an SPT resident on the left end (either end actually) when I went to drill press mode.

The bandsaw has always been problem but the jointer and the belt sander can be left in place during drill press mode with 500/505/510/520.

Dusty, I cannot question your concern as I agree. All of my SPT's are self contained on their own stand/motor, with the exception of the Sand Flee which always resides on the left end of my second 520. In my case with a destroyed shoulder I am unable to lift any SPT so I do not share your issue. Sorry I am unable to remove the concern. Jim

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Jul 21, 2012 10:57 pm

dusty wrote: . . .

The bandsaw has always been problem but the jointer and the belt sander can be left in place during drill press mode with 500/505/510/520.

Bandsaw has only been a 'problem' since introduction of the larger aluminum table. The CI table version does not interfere.

reible · Post by **reible** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 4:57 pm

Hi,

A few more things to check off the list.

I needed to use the bandsaw today so I decided to see how things went when I mounted it to the double tilt. It has been on one of my other machines since I got it so it was adjusted for that machine. The alignment was fine, meaning that the two machines, a stock older machine and the new set up one have to be pretty close in alignment.

Next is a very tiny change that was made (could even have happened before this part change), the small holes that let you keep an shopsmith t-handle hex wrench on the base are gone, as could be expected with the design change. I use to keep the shopsmith wrench and the Incra ball driver there on mine. I've done that for so long it is force of habit to look there, but I'll get over it.

Ed

reible · Post by **reible** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:46 pm

More data and good news!

Let's just cut to the chase, I have an extension table mounted on both ends and the main table between.

[ATTACH]18036[/ATTACH]

If I loosen the main table screws the main table slides along in either direction with no more then normal force (this is just a judgement call).

[ATTACH]18037[/ATTACH]

Let me add a bit of detail. With the main table height set and locked in place I used my drywall square as I usually do, to set the extension table heights. Did the left one then the right one. All tables are flat with one another.

I then slipped the 5' bars in. They need a little guidance as they come in just a fraction off and hit the bottom screws unless you back them off all the way (I gave the tubes a little lift to get past them. Same thing when they get to the far end. I did the front tube then the back tube. NO force required and when in place they slide along quite well.

I do not think it gets any better then this and I am not even going to try.

So my conclusion is that either I've gotten a lot better at this over the last year or the new double tilt makes all the difference.

I was thinking of adding extension tables to the mix but since they align to the rails I see no reason to believe anything will change but we will see. I have another 15 minutes to do that before I have to start putting things away. So in a half hour or so I'll report what I found.

Ed

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:58 pm

You may not report on this but I must ask.

Have you satisfied yourself that an extension table aligned on one end shall be equally well aligned (without tweaking) when moved to the other end.

If you confirm this, I will be satisfied that the problem which we have all experienced is "normal" with any main frame other than one with the double tile. The problem being that the table for the left end will likely not work satisfactorily when installed on the right end.

reible · Post by **reible** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:38 pm

dusty wrote:You may not report on this but I must ask.

Have you satisfied yourself that an extension table aligned on one end shall be equally well aligned (without tweaking) when moved to the other end.

If you confirm this, I will be satisfied that the problem which we have all experienced is "normal" with any main frame other than one with the double tile. The problem being that the table for the left end will likely not work satisfactorily when installed on the right end.

I can confirm this.

New post to follow.

Ed

reible · Post by **reible** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:59 pm

Since we had some downtime this is a little later in the day then I expected. This information should answer some of the other questions people have.

I was able to slide the tubes back far enough to add a floating table, then slide the tubes the other way to add the other floating table. All tables are flat as expected and the tubes fit all the tables.

[ATTACH]18038[/ATTACH]

To assure myself everything was still adjusted I took it all apart and put it back together and reversed the extension table as in the one on the right was moved to the left and the one on the left was moved to the right. When I put these tables together I made them mirror images. So the tables either face to the outside or they face to the inside. The previous pictures show the extension tables extending inwards. The 5' tubes actually are just longer then the end to end measurement. When turned out the tubes just make the screws. The picture shows this and the tubes are centered on each extension table.

[ATTACH]18039[/ATTACH]

By doing this it shows that they are exchangeable.

[ATTACH]18040[/ATTACH]

When extended outward you now have a table that is almost 66" wide.

[ATTACH]18042[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]18041[/ATTACH]

When they face inwards then you have about 58-1/2".

Not sure we should be thinking about 66" tubes but hey we now know someone who could help us out if we need, maybe at least a few sets???

Now I have to change my thoughts from a left or right extension to a outward facing or inward facing extension table... does that sound right?

I'm about to sign the table tops and start the bidding at $50,000, how does that sound?

Ed

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:22 pm

That is good 'news'.

Dusty is a prophet!;)

Implied but not mentioned, is fence parallel to main table etc. on either/both ends(mix/match extension tables)