Shopsmith 510 to 520 upgrade

[JPG]

With regard to the set screw, the alignment procedures for both the band saw and the rip fence tell us in the first couple steps (of the respective procedures) to back the set screw out so as to not be making contact with the rail.

Just to clarify, that be the one(s) in the fence.

[twistsol]

Yesterday I went into the shop and took the fence on and off about 50 times or so and checked alignment and it was perfect every single time. So I figured it must have been technique.

Then I took a scrap of wood and made a cut, still perfect. until I put the bladeguard and riving knife on, and made a cut. The peice was pulling away from the fence on the outfeed end of the fence. I stopped and checked the fence alignment again, and even grabbed a known square setup block and then finally saw the problem as shown below

Riving knife offset

IMG_0868.jpg (228.58 KiB) Viewed 10405 times

My riving knife was out of alignment with the blade. A quick adjustment of the set screw on the blade guard, okay it took me an hour to get it perfect, and everything is now okay.

Guard alignment screw

IMG_0870.jpg (110.98 KiB) Viewed 10405 times

Thanks everyone for all your help

[algale]

It may or may not be contributing to your problem, but that does not appear to me to be a Shopsmith riving knife. Where did you get it?

[charlese]

Chris - Happy you found the easy fix. - (push the fence toward the front rail before clamping)

Sorry for the extra side notes in this thread, but that's the way it sometimes goes with our bunch. Hopefully the screw discussion will help some readers. At least we are friendly!

[ChrisNeilan]

I'm considering either the 520 upgrade or just adding a dedicated table saw to the shop.

I enjoy the luxury of a dedicated table saw, even though it's an old Craftsman. The Vega Utility fence turns it into a precision machine, always ready, never fussy, always spot on. My simple shop built sled is also a favorite table saw accessory.

I have that same saw (1962 Craftsman) / fence combo and it's great. Currently putting a new arbor and bearings into it to get rid of a little slop. Parts still available!
The 520 fence system is great, but you should be able to get good results from the 510 fence as well.

[twistsol]

It may or may not be contributing to your problem, but that does not appear to me to be a Shopsmith riving knife. Where did you get it?

While the knife was my problem, it was no fault of the product, just my own inexperience with the ShopSmith. It's a SharkGuard http://www.thesharkguard.com from Lee Styron. The knife is the same height as the blade so it doesn't need to be removed for non through cuts and the guard it comes with has dust collection. I personally think it's the best guard on the market.

[twistsol]

Sorry for the extra side notes in this thread, but that's the way it sometimes goes with our bunch. Hopefully the screw discussion will help some readers. At least we are friendly!

Friendly for sure. I've been on so many different many boards where either the conversation digresses into mayhem with no useful information, or you're treated as if you're just plain stupid for asking.

[jsburger]

It may or may not be contributing to your problem, but that does not appear to me to be a Shopsmith riving knife. Where did you get it?

While the knife was my problem, it was no fault of the product, just my own inexperience with the ShopSmith. It's a SharkGuard http://www.sharguard.com from Lee Styron. The knife is the same height as the blade so it doesn't need to be removed for non through cuts and the guard it comes with has dust collection. I personally think it's the best guard on the market.

I have had one since Lee first started making them for the SS years ago. They are great. I got one of the very first SS ones and actually helped Lee with one of the dimensions of the riving knife that Lee didn't have quite right.

I also have one on my Powermatic table saw. They really help with dust collection.

[JPG]

It may or may not be contributing to your problem, but that does not appear to me to be a Shopsmith riving knife. Where did you get it?

While the knife was my problem, it was no fault of the product, just my own inexperience with the ShopSmith. It's a SharkGuard http://www.sharguard.com from Lee Styron. The knife is the same height as the blade so it doesn't need to be removed for non through cuts and the guard it comes with has dust collection. I personally think it's the best guard on the market.

Link missing a "K"?

[BuckeyeDennis]

It may or may not be contributing to your problem, but that does not appear to me to be a Shopsmith riving knife. Where did you get it?

While the knife was my problem, it was no fault of the product, just my own inexperience with the ShopSmith. It's a SharkGuard http://www.sharguard.com from Lee Styron. The knife is the same height as the blade so it doesn't need to be removed for non through cuts and the guard it comes with has dust collection. I personally think it's the best guard on the market.

Link missing a "K"?

And a "the".

http://www.thesharkguard.com