Upgrade to 510 Table System

This is a forum for intermediate to advanced woodworkers. Show off your projects or share your ideas.

Moderator: admin

Dansmith
Gold Member
Posts: 489
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:02 pm
Location: Idaho

Upgrade to 510 Table System

Post by Dansmith »

I currently have the 500, and I have been looking for a used 510 table system. Will the 510 main table fit on my 500 carriage?
User avatar
ChrisNeilan
Platinum Member
Posts: 1463
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 5:30 pm
Location: Waterford, Connecticut
Contact:

Re: Upgrade to 510 Table System

Post by ChrisNeilan »

No it won't. The 510 and 520 will only fit the newer style carriage - the one with the wheel crank. If you are upgrading, the 520 is a much better system if you are planning on using it as a table saw. The 520 fence is supreme. Hard to find on Ebay, expensive as all giddy-up from the Mother Ship... 510 system abound on Ebay.
Chris Neilan

Shopsmith Mark 7, Shopsmith Mark V 1982, shortened, Shopsmith 10 ER; Craftsman table saw (1964); Powermatic 3520B lathe
User avatar
dusty
Platinum Member
Posts: 21530
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona

Re: Upgrade to 510 Table System

Post by dusty »

ChrisNeilan wrote:No it won't. The 510 and 520 will only fit the newer style carriage - the one with the wheel crank. If you are upgrading, the 520 is a much better system if you are planning on using it as a table saw. The 520 fence is supreme. Hard to find on Ebay, expensive as all giddy-up from the Mother Ship... 510 system abound on Ebay.
I am compelled. I agree that the 510 and 520 table systems are a great improvement over the predecessor. I will, however, argue that the 520 is not all that great an improvement over the 510.

Don't get me wrong! The 520 is a great table system. It is stouter that the 510 and it is heavier but I do not believe it is a bit more functional and definitely any more accurate. I have both, in service, in my shop as we speak.

My advise - if you locate a 510 system at an appropriate price, do not hesitate.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
User avatar
ChrisNeilan
Platinum Member
Posts: 1463
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 5:30 pm
Location: Waterford, Connecticut
Contact:

Re: Upgrade to 510 Table System

Post by ChrisNeilan »

I'm on the fence on this- I just had to say it and apologize for the pun! I'm not putting the 510 table down at all, only that I prefer the 520 fence. If I had to do it again (upgrade my 500), I would consider the 510, especially since you can find them readily on Ebay, and quite affordably as well. As it happens, I can swap my 520 fence between the two Shopsmiths and do not need a second fence.
Chris Neilan

Shopsmith Mark 7, Shopsmith Mark V 1982, shortened, Shopsmith 10 ER; Craftsman table saw (1964); Powermatic 3520B lathe
Dansmith
Gold Member
Posts: 489
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:02 pm
Location: Idaho

Re: Upgrade to 510 Table System

Post by Dansmith »

Thanks Chris and Dusty. I was afraid that I would have to get the carriage as well. I was thinking it would be eaisier to find a 510 than a 520 for those upgrading to the 520. Can't upgrade from a 520, at least not yet.
User avatar
everettdavis
Platinum Member
Posts: 2163
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2014 11:49 am
Location: Lubbock, TX

Re: Upgrade to 510 Table System

Post by everettdavis »

ChrisNeilan wrote:I'm on the fence on this- I just had to say it and apologize for the pun! I'm not putting the 510 table down at all, only that I prefer the 520 fence. If I had to do it again (upgrade my 500), I would consider the 510, especially since you can find them readily on Ebay, and quite affordably as well. As it happens, I can swap my 520 fence between the two Shopsmiths and do not need a second fence.
Chris,

You want the 510 Fence on your 500 Table and couldn't spring for the 510 upgrade. Shopsmith thought of that some years ago.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... pgrade.htm
Mark V Model 500 Rip Fence Upgrade with T-Slots.jpg
Mark V Model 500 Rip Fence Upgrade with T-Slots.jpg (13.83 KiB) Viewed 14065 times
Rip Fence for the MKV Model 500 555646.pdf
Manual for new 500 Fence
(427.35 KiB) Downloaded 1182 times
br549
Platinum Member
Posts: 657
Joined: Sun Nov 30, 2014 8:51 am
Location: Midway between Houston/Galveston, TX

Re: Upgrade to 510 Table System

Post by br549 »

Dansmith wrote:I was afraid that I would have to get the carriage as well.
I still have the 500 table and fence system, and have never really considered upgrading to the 510 or 520 (though I have toyed with the idea of just the 500 fence upgrade that Everett pointed out.) But as I learn more about the differences between the different models, the carriage is just one of many items that are incompatable and would need to replaced. Other items include upper and lower saw guards. While not 100% necesssary, the 1-1/4" and 5/8" saw arbors, and sanding disk arbors are also different and for best functionality also should be replaced. You might want to study the 510 Upgrade listing from Shopsmith to see what is included and what other items might need to be replaced.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/500to510.htm
Dansmith
Gold Member
Posts: 489
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:02 pm
Location: Idaho

Re: Upgrade to 510 Table System

Post by Dansmith »

Thanks, br549. Maybe, If I get really lucky, I'll find a great deal on a 510 SS that I'll buy for the table system only. I'm thinking a really good deal on one with a bad power head. :D No way I can personally justify (let alone afford) spending anywhere near what SS is charging for the upgrade kit.

In the meanitme, maybe I'll try to figure out some ways to make my 500 table bigger. I do have one of those front table extensions (part #505626) that adds about 7" to the miter slot. Another one of those could be used in the other miter slot. I think that gives more space between the front of the table and the blade than the 510 table does.

An "support table" (outfeed table) might be good if I could get it to follow the angle of table when title for bevel cuts. Looks like part # 555306.
User avatar
ChrisNeilan
Platinum Member
Posts: 1463
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 5:30 pm
Location: Waterford, Connecticut
Contact:

Re: Upgrade to 510 Table System

Post by ChrisNeilan »

everettdavis wrote:
ChrisNeilan wrote:I'm on the fence on this- I just had to say it and apologize for the pun! I'm not putting the 510 table down at all, only that I prefer the 520 fence. If I had to do it again (upgrade my 500), I would consider the 510, especially since you can find them readily on Ebay, and quite affordably as well. As it happens, I can swap my 520 fence between the two Shopsmiths and do not need a second fence.
Chris,

You want the 510 Fence on your 500 Table and couldn't spring for the 510 upgrade. Shopsmith thought of that some years ago.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... pgrade.htm
Mark V Model 500 Rip Fence Upgrade with T-Slots.jpg Rip Fence for the MKV Model 500 555646.pdf
Never indicated that I wanted the 510 fence on my 500 table. I upgraded to a 520. I prefer the 520 table and fence. For me it was the way to go for the projects I am involved with. I picked up the carriage and table for about $100 on eBay. I already had a Mark 7 so I could use the guards, extention tables and fence that I already have.
Chris Neilan

Shopsmith Mark 7, Shopsmith Mark V 1982, shortened, Shopsmith 10 ER; Craftsman table saw (1964); Powermatic 3520B lathe
Sazerac81
Gold Member
Posts: 224
Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2016 1:33 am

Re: Upgrade to 510 Table System

Post by Sazerac81 »

Dansmith wrote:Thanks, br549. Maybe, If I get really lucky, I'll find a great deal on a 510 SS that I'll buy for the table system only. I'm thinking a really good deal on one with a bad power head. :D No way I can personally justify (let alone afford) spending anywhere near what SS is charging for the upgrade kit.

In the meanitme, maybe I'll try to figure out some ways to make my 500 table bigger. I do have one of those front table extensions (part #505626) that adds about 7" to the miter slot. Another one of those could be used in the other miter slot. I think that gives more space between the front of the table and the blade than the 510 table does.

An "support table" (outfeed table) might be good if I could get it to follow the angle of table when title for bevel cuts. Looks like part # 555306.
Go for the 520 vs the 510 if you can swing it. Try to get one complete set if possible. I have all table systems and I prefer the 520 to the 510. The 520 rip fence is also a beast! :)

A lot of cool uses for it as seen here!

Image

Cheers,
John
Post Reply