Today in the shop "Table Raiser Model 500 install"

[reible]

I have a model 500 set up as a drill press, it has a powerpro so it is capable as an over head router or for sanding operations but mostly as just a drill.

A while back shopsmith offered a deal and I took them up and got the (556334) Table Raiser. They have two versions, one for the Mark-V, Model 500 and then the one of the 510/520 type tables.

The hardware is pretty simple, a couple of bracket and some mounting hardware and of course the gas tube.

20170908_110016_resized.jpg (360.18 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

Of course there is a manual and paper template sheet. On the template sheet they have a couple of measurement lines so you can check to see if they match the size listed (copies can reduce or enlarge as we know from the caster disaster).

You simply tape then templates in place as seen here:

20170908_110150_resized.jpg (410.41 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

and

20170908_112002_resized.jpg (403.76 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

Then it is just a matter of center punching and drilling. I did not want to damage the templates in case I want to move the hardware to another machine at some point so I just did the center punches then removed the template. The orange wax marks helped me find the points and punch them a few more times to get a nice point to start the drill.

There are two mounting locations on the carriage, this gives you two basic heights and then the bracket can be flipped for more or less height. I decided to drill both sets of holes but I already knew I was going to just the one that gave me the highest table setting. The holes are easy to drill with the supplied bit.

20170908_112322_resized.jpg (539.16 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

The lower mount holes:

20170908_112336_resized.jpg (465.79 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

Now comes the fun part, putting it together. The screws are sell tapping but a little lube doesn't hurt and since I had this one out for the drilling I just used some more for that additional purpose.

20170908_112813_resized.jpg (311.58 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

The bottom bracket is mounted as shown..... well maybe.....

20170908_113823_resized.jpg (432.43 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

The other bracket I mounted to give me maximum table height.

20170908_114154_resized.jpg (327.47 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

Now you can mount the gas tube.

20170908_114329_resized.jpg (477.32 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

At this point I added the table back on and found I still wanted it just a little higher........ so I flipped the lower bracket like this:

20170908_114834_resized.jpg (372.48 KiB) Viewed 4479 times

Now it just right.

BTW those self-tapping screws were a little much for my wrist so I used an impact driver, just don't get carried away tightening them if you go that way. After cutting the treads you can just use a screw driver for any follow up times.

About the table height, with my glasses I find it harder to see if it gets beyond my normal sweet spot or gets too close so for now just right might change in the future but there some adjustments that can be made. This is in addition to changes that can be made depending on what drilling operations you find.

Ed

[JPG]

In spite of 'self tapping' screws, I always prefer to use a real tap.

[everettdavis]

I like TAPS as well as using a nylok locking nut on the back where possible.

Kudos on reversing the bracket for more lift. Great idea.

Everett