520 Floating Table

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

Moderator: admin

Post Reply
User avatar
gac5ss
Gold Member
Posts: 131
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:54 am
Location: Harrison, AR

520 Floating Table

Post by gac5ss »

I just purchased a 520 that was missing a floating table and connector tubes / telescoping legs. Does being short 1 table cause any problems in use? I can buy both or just the tubes. I am unsure as to what functions would be harmed without the floating table.
Thanks,
Jerry
roy_okc
Platinum Member
Posts: 818
Joined: Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:15 pm
Location: Moore, OK

Re: 520 Floating Table

Post by roy_okc »

Jerry,

You don't absolutely need the floating tables, although they do add to the support options available to you. I, personally, rarely use both floating tables.

You might want to consider long tubes over or in addition to the standard tubes. I bought a pair of 5' long tubes some years ago and rarely use my short tubes.
Roy

Mark V/510, Mark V/500 with parts for 510 upgrade, bandsaw, jointer, belt sander, DC3300 w/1 micron bag
Sawstop 3HP 36" PCS w/router table insert
Home designed and built CNC router, another CNC router :D desktop size, Avid 5x10 Pro CNC w/ATC, CNCed G0704 milling machine
Laser engraver
Way too much other stuff and not enough space :rolleyes:
User avatar
gac5ss
Gold Member
Posts: 131
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:54 am
Location: Harrison, AR

Re: 520 Floating Table

Post by gac5ss »

I was reading last night the posts about the incra fence being adapted to the 510 / 520 units. For around $500 this is a nice option. I don't understand how I can cut 45 degree cuts without major reconfiguration. Maybe I should forget the missing table and tubes and buy an incra fence?
User avatar
algale
Platinum Member
Posts: 4841
Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 8:13 am

Re: 520 Floating Table

Post by algale »

gac5ss wrote:I was reading last night the posts about the incra fence being adapted to the 510 / 520 units. For around $500 this is a nice option. I don't understand how I can cut 45 degree cuts without major reconfiguration. Maybe I should forget the missing table and tubes and buy an incra fence?
If you mean 45 degree bevels, that is done with the tilted table and would be very difficult to tilt the table with an incra fence attached to the Shopsmith. If you mean a 45 degree miter, that’s done with the miter gauge.

The floating table aren’t essential and as said by a previous poster, I rarely need both floating tables. But when needed, it is nice to have.
Gale's Law: The bigger the woodworking project, the less the mistakes show in any photo taken far enough away to show the entire project!

User avatar
dusty
Platinum Member
Posts: 21530
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona

Re: 520 Floating Table

Post by dusty »

Whether floating tables are needed or not depends almost entirely on how you use the Shopsmith or on personal preference. One is probably never needed but I have one mounted almost all of the time.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
User avatar
gac5ss
Gold Member
Posts: 131
Joined: Sat Jul 14, 2012 11:54 am
Location: Harrison, AR

Re: 520 Floating Table

Post by gac5ss »

Thanks all for your advice. I think I will hold off spending $220 for the eBay parts.

As I review my bevel cutting, it is mainly for making corner blocks for use in reinforcing drawer joinery in the antique furniture I re-glue and refinish. I know that can change if I build furniture for myself / wife.

I have a set of Double Dubbys that were for a Dewalt Hybrid table saw I once owned. Now I want to use them on my 520. I may need to make a new platform. Replacements are no longer available due to liability. In the least I will need to replace the miter bars. Has any one here duplicated a platform for the Dubby's?
Post Reply