Some Frustrations

[jsburger]

John, that floor is way to clean! ~mike c

I did finally notice some small amount of dust after zooming in, but that Shopsmith looks like it is in a showroom!

That shop is indeed a 'showroom'!!!!!!

Thanks guys! I think the secret is excellent dust collection at the source provided by the Clearvue Max cyclone (just under 2000 CFM) and then the two Powermatic ceiling mounted air filters at 1200 CFM each. Of course having the wife in the shop all the time doesn't hurt either.

But seriously, there just isn't much dust. I almost never have to clean up in the back where the computer and table and chairs are.

[beeg]

And yes, I've aligned the extension table to the main table with the bolts just as you describe (and as shown in one of the sawdust sessions).

Does that include level front to back?

[jsburger]

OK, so how do you raise the back of the table while not raising the front of the table? The table tubes don't allow for that. Well, maybe if you Gorilla it and tighten the lock. I align the front and the back of the fixed extension table with the main table using the table bolts and a straight edge. I get either the front or back at the right height and then adjust the fixed table bolts to align the other end. The same for left and right. I have two fixed extension tables. Once aligned they are marked left and right. It does make a difference since there is enough flex in the SS base if the floor is not perfectly level. I do not move my Shopsmiths almost ever so the alignment does not change. Even with that I have to tweak the tables occasionally for level and coplaner.

So you'd think. Nevertheless, on my machines, particular on the right side where I almost always use the extension table, there's either enough slop in the holes in the base where the extension table tubes fit or enough spring between the bolts/legs, to allow the table to cant slightly as you slide the extension table down/up, no Gorilla-ing required. I suspect my machine is not unique, either. Have you checked yours?

And yes, I've aligned the extension table to the main table with the bolts just as you describe (and as shown in one of the sawdust sessions).

Yes there is a slight bit of slop. Not sure how one would hold the table in alignment with that method and tighten the lock without a third hand. It seems to me that proper alignment in a static state is the way to go. Throw the straight edge across the tables anywhere, do a course adjustment and do the final alignment with the adjustable stop block.

Let me elaborate on my procedure a bit. First I set the main table height. Then I loosen the extension table lock and the set screw on the stop collar so it is free to slide. With the straight edge across the tables I adjust the extension table to approximate height (+- 1/8" or less). Then I tighten the set screw on the stop. Now the table will stay put without holding it. Then I adjust the stop collar to get the height perfect and then tighten the lock on the end casting. It takes me about 30 seconds or less.

[jsburger]

And yes, I've aligned the extension table to the main table with the bolts just as you describe (and as shown in one of the sawdust sessions).

Does that include level front to back?

Yes.

[dusty]

John, are you meaning to say that after you have finished these table alignments that the Main Table and both Extension Tables are all perfectly positioned in the same horizontal plane.

That if you stretch a chalk line diagonally from the corner of one extension table to the opposite corner of the other extension table, the line will touch the tables the full length (except where there is no table) and that switching diagonals gives the same results.

[jsburger]

John, are you meaning to say that after you have finished these table alignments that the Main Table and both Extension Tables are all perfectly positioned in the same horizontal plane.

That if you stretch a chalk line diagonally from the corner of one extension table to the opposite corner of the other extension table, the line will touch the tables the full length (except where there is no table) and that switching diagonals gives the same results.

I have never checked THAT way but if the extension tables are co-planer left to right with the main table and the front and rear ends of the extension tables are the same height as the front and rear ends of the main table why wouldn't it be correct diagonally? I use a Veritas 4' aluminum straight edge to do the alignment and get down and sight between the tables and the straight edge to make sure there is no light at the edges of any table.

I will check diagonally tomorrow or the next day. Stay tuned.

[dusty]

I use the chalk line, John, because I do not have a straight edge the is long enough to reach diagonally across the two extension tables. For this application, the chalk line is nothing more than a straight edge.