520 table alignment

[jonesuh]

I recently up graded to a Power pro headstock---and my main table seems to be a little out of alignment----the miter slots don't seem parallel--following the manual I have tried to fix this---got it to what I thought was right on (using a Incra gage) -- took a while working with the trunnions(SP) suckers are hard to get to ---but when I made a cross cut --it wasn't square ---used 3 different miter gages all of which checked square--obviously I'm doing something wrong any suggestions or comments greatly appreciated

[algale]

I recently up graded to a Power pro headstock---and my main table seems to be a little out of alignment----the miter slots don't seem parallel--following the manual I have tried to fix this---got it to what I thought was right on (using a Incra gage) -- took a while working with the trunnions(SP) suckers are hard to get to ---but when I made a cross cut --it wasn't square ---used 3 different miter gages all of which checked square--obviously I'm doing something wrong any suggestions or comments greatly appreciated

By all means recheck alignment. But understand that lack of table alignment on a crosscut just gives you a bigger kerf (more sawdust); it doesn't put the crosscut out of square.

Out of square crosscuts are the result of the protractor head's alignment to the miter bar (unlikely if you use three which all checked square) OR work piece slippage OR failure to lock the carriage OR failure to lock the headstock or depth control.

[Dansmith]

How far out of square are we talking? Are you sure your square is square?

[dusty]

I recently up graded to a Power pro headstock---and my main table seems to be a little out of alignment----the miter slots don't seem parallel--following the manual I have tried to fix this---got it to what I thought was right on (using a Incra gage) -- took a while working with the trunnions(SP) suckers are hard to get to ---but when I made a cross cut --it wasn't square ---used 3 different miter gages all of which checked square--obviously I'm doing something wrong any suggestions or comments greatly appreciated

Can you explain your procedure for "squaring the main table (miter slots) using a miter gauge.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... gnment.htm

Actually, I suspect that you are getting the table squared to the blade and then when you tighten the trunnion bolts the table moves. If you are using the miter gauge with a stop rod to sense the distance from the blade, this can be a very tedious procedure. Patience and perseverance.

[Ed in Tampa]

I recently up graded to a Power pro headstock---and my main table seems to be a little out of alignment----the miter slots don't seem parallel--following the manual I have tried to fix this---got it to what I thought was right on (using a Incra gage) -- took a while working with the trunnions(SP) suckers are hard to get to ---but when I made a cross cut --it wasn't square ---used 3 different miter gages all of which checked square--obviously I'm doing something wrong any suggestions or comments greatly appreciated

By all means recheck alignment. But understand that lack of table alignment on a crosscut just gives you a bigger kerf (more sawdust); it doesn't put the crosscut out of square.

Out of square crosscuts are the result of the protractor head's alignment to the miter bar (unlikely if you use three which all checked square) OR work piece slippage OR failure to lock the carriage OR failure to lock the headstock or depth control.

Interesting thought! I pondered this and it seems to be correct.

Now assuming that it is correct two things must also be true. You can not align the fence to miter slots or it would be off also. Solution align fence to blade.

Second thing you can not align the miter gauge to the slots, you must also use the blade.

Now I wonder how many SS have been having problems with alignment because the main table to blade is slightly misaligned. Then the fence was aligned to the miter slots and the miter itself was aligned to slot?

Even if you use the miterset if your miter slot is not parallel to the blade that angle will be reflected on a cut made using the miter gauge.

Interesting.

I wonder if the way to align the main table is to use a board that has a runner attached to it. Make a partial cut. Then measure the width of the cut.

Is this correct?

[dusty]

I have a great deal of confidence in my Incra Miter Gauge. It has been checked many times and found to be close enough to "right on" to not check it further.

Using that miter gauge with a known good square (I have an 8" square setup block), I can simply snug the setup block to the miter gauge and adjust the table until the setup block also contacts the blade.

Tighten the trunnions. Recheck the setup block to the fence and to the miter gauge. Repeat if necessary (hardly ever necessary).

[jonesuh]

gentlemen thanks for the replies---have not been able to get back to shop (work is such a pain)
I used the woodpeckers saw gauge (http://www.incrementaltools.com/Woodpec ... psg-wp.htm) to check the alignment
also used a saw blade and the sanding disk to check----used 3 different squares to verify--
both the SS miter gauge and my Incra miter pro give me a "out of square cut"
will try your suggestions and review the SS veido link one more time
all else fails and my being a "tool Nut" i'll just buy a really big hammer for next operation

[reible]

It is not clear if you have the printed copy of the alignment instructions provided by shopsmith. If not or if you have not read them in a while please do. You can find the pdf here:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/manu ... manual.pdf

Made sure you do the steps in order and understand what you are doing in each step.

Yes there are things like the woodpecker tool and master plates which can be helpful but if you have having a problem it sometimes helps to go back to the basics as given by shopsmith.

When adjusting the table it is nice to have it snug before hand and a few light taps needed to move it into alignment. When the fasteners are tighten the table likes to move with them unless already snug.

I've had a shopsmith since 1976 and have several of them, they can be set to give excellent square at cuts and rips cuts but it does require some effort to get the alignment right to start with. Once you have it dialed in it can stay that way for years.

Ed

[jonesuh]

gentlemen thanks again for the help---got everything aligned ---just took patience 7 a review of Nick's video thanks Dusty