$3 Self-Zeroing 36" Direct Reading Rip Scale

[reible]

Hi,

I have the 520 scales and I do use them on some projects, good to about a 1/32" and pretty easy to adjust. I do find from time to time that the scale gets bumped and even falls off. It is slightly to wide in my estimation.

Other times I use a scale, 12" stainless steel thin machinist type, but most often I simply use a tape measure. The end of the tape to the fence and the reading done at the tip of an inward facing tooth.

I also use magic transparent tape and mark the blade location on the insert. You can mark both sides and have that reference for miter gauge work as well.

I have some rule that is also thin enough to fit under the 520 fence (except at the middle). Don't recall the name on it or where I got it or even what I paid for it. I'll have to give it another look and test when it warms up. I'm up for giving new idea a try.

Off subject

I believe it is quite clear that the trunnion was a problem, remember that shopsmith offered to do the "repair" for free.

From my own experience the upgrade 500 to 520 came with all holes the same. The 510r basket case I purchased had the one smaller hole which I drilled out.

Since then I purchased an ebay table to replace the cruddy table on that machine (table had leg/trunnions etc). It came with all holes the same, and was one with the fully grooved top.

This past fall I purchased yet another main table, this one with the smooth center section that is the current one shopsmith sells. It to has the 4 holes the same. BTW I believe the newer table with the flat area is better enough that I spent the money to replace the older style. Now both of my 520 as so equipped. Your mileage may vary.

Ed

[joshh]

If anyone has access to these near them, i would gladly pay for the item, shipping, and your time. There aren't any Home Depots near me that have these.

[JPG]

If anyone has access to these near them, i would gladly pay for the item, shipping, and your time. There aren't any Home Depots near me that have these.

PM or e-mail me! See post # 30 this thread.

[donalexander]

Well, as you might guess, my Home Depot didn't have the rule. My guess is in a few months they will have it but it will be from another supplier, and it won't be as inexpensive, and maybe it'll work under the fence and maybe not. I've found that when Home Depot deeply discounts something, it often occurs when an item is discontinued or replaced with another item.

Anyway, I was at Harbor Freight last night and I found another rule that works just as well for $2.99. I'm guessing you'll find this in any HF for the same price. It is Item # 67826 and rung up as "NARROW ALUM RULER 40". It's a 40 inch scale with metric on the other edge. As you can see (if I understand how to post a picture) it is thin enough to slip under the fence of my 520 (and presumably yours too).

I know all of HF stuff is Chicom and a lot of it is crap. I buy carefully. There's nothing wrong with this rule that I could find....well, other than it comes from China but this is a global economy, right?

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[dusty]

Having been made in China is not in itself bad unless you are dedicated "Made in the USA". If you are, the number of items that you can purchase has greatly diminished; allowing you to save a lot of money.

As for the ruler, check the ends to make sure they are square and that the end is actually 1" away from the first 1" marker (at each end). Having done that, verify the actual length (40") end to end against a measuring device that you trust.

If the scribe marks don't look like they were painted with a big paint brush, you got a real good deal.

[donalexander]

I checked both the squareness of the ends and the markings with an American made engineer square and the markings against a more expensive aluminum rule. Everything looks good to me.

[dusty]

If my rule is too thick to go under the rip fence, can I just turn it around and measure from the fence to the blade rather than from the blade to the fence? Then, tomorrow, I'll go get a thinner rule.

Great Tip, Al.

AFTER THOUGHT: For most of what I do in the shop, I just measure from the body of the saw blade. The slight error that is created by the kerf is of no consequence.

[JPG]

If my rule is too thick to go under the rip fence, can I just turn it around and measure from the fence to the blade rather than from the blade to the fence? Then, tomorrow, I'll go get a thinner rule.

Great Tip, Al.

AFTER THOUGHT: For most of what I do in the shop, I just measure from the body of the saw blade. The slight error that is created by the kerf is of no consequence.

I measure to the end of a tooth pointing towards the fence. Still slightly error prone as not all teeth protrude the same amount or the blade may not be perfectly flat. For 'important' cuts I cut a trial and measure, then adjust if needed.

P.S. Done the same with either thick or thin ruler or 'gasp' tape measure.