Shopsmith 500 - Lower saw blade guard

Forum for Maintenance and Repair topics. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

Moderator: admin

Post Reply
crig
Bronze Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2016 3:32 pm

Shopsmith 500 - Lower saw blade guard

Post by crig »

I just bought a 1980 Shopsmith V 500 and am in the process of learning how to use it.

I am trying to re-install the saw blade guards. I am having difficulty trying to get the lower unit to fit. When installed, the blade sits up against the right side of the guard; the teeth of the blade catch on the guard cover. The blade seems to be about 1/2" too far to the right, yet everything seems snug (possible exception-the knurled spindle knob, which has about 1/8" clearance from quill).
The only part that seems "out of whack" is the arbor. It appears to be original and was on the saw (without the guard) when I bought it. However, the ones pictured on this website seem significantly shorter. If it is the wrong arbor, does anyone know what this arbor is? If it is not the issue, does anyone know what my difficulty is? See photo. Thanks...more questions to come in other posts.
crig
Bronze Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2016 3:32 pm

Re: Shopsmith 500 - Lower saw blade guard

Post by crig »

Sorry - picture didn't upload. Will try again, when I figure it out.
crig
Bronze Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2016 3:32 pm

Re: Shopsmith 500 - Lower saw blade guard

Post by crig »

Ok - trying again. Didn't realize the photo requirements.
This should be the arbor....
From blade to end of arbor is 1.5" and I presume the reason my guard doesn't fit.
Attachments
arbor.jpg
arbor.jpg (54.63 KiB) Viewed 2887 times
User avatar
jsburger
Platinum Member
Posts: 6585
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:06 pm
Location: Hooper, UT

Re: Shopsmith 500 - Lower saw blade guard

Post by jsburger »

The MK V 500 has a smaller table than the 510/520 models. As a result the 500 arbor is shorter than the 510/520 arbor. I suspect your arbor is for the 510/520. The arbors are on eBay all the time but be careful. Some sellers do not say which model the arbor is for. Of course you can always get the correct arbor from SS.
Last edited by jsburger on Fri Sep 23, 2016 6:00 pm, edited 2 times in total.
John & Mary Burger
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
Hooper, UT
crig
Bronze Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2016 3:32 pm

Re: Shopsmith 500 - Lower saw blade guard

Post by crig »

Hey! Thanks! Finally, something that makes a little sense to me.
Now, I've got to go back to playing with the UPPER guard!
br549
Platinum Member
Posts: 657
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:51 am
Location: Midway between Houston/Galveston, TX

Re: Shopsmith 500 - Lower saw blade guard

Post by br549 »

Having the correct arbor for your machine is the first step. Shopsmith also offers an aluminum spacer to put between the guard and the cover, which increases the amount of space for the blade. I tried making a heavier duty version for my 500 lower guard, and discovered why to NOT try to make it wider than 1.25", which is the width of the Shopsmith version. Here is the post where I explained why:

https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/view ... 75#p181075

Since the upper guard attaches to the lower guard, having the blade on the correct arbor and in the correct position is important for getting upper guard aligned properly. I was never fond of the solid aluminum upper guard, so I found a used clear upper guard upgrade and installed it (it mounts to the table carriage instead of the bracket on the lower guard)
Post Reply