How do you level a floating table?

tdubnik · Post by **tdubnik** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 6:20 pm

I just upgraded my 500 to a 520. the upgrade went well except that one of the floating tables is about 1/8" lower than the main table and the other floating table when I use a straight edge on them.

I don't see an easy way to raise this table to be in line with the other two.

How do I raise the height of the low table?

fixit · Post by **fixit** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 6:37 pm

Sounds like the rail is 1/8" too close to the top of the table surface. If the height gauge wasn't used to set the rail height this might be the problem. If it was used perhaps the holes for mounting the rails were drilled incorrectly (either in the rails or the table). You should call Shopsmith and ask for (1) assistance or (2) a replacement table. I'm sure they will make it right for you.

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 7:01 pm

Hi,

You should have found two setup gauges that allow you to position the rails to the correct relationship to the table. As I recall there should also be an instruction sheet explaining how to do this.

You should first find out what is out of alignment using the gauges... it could be the main table rather then the floating table???

Say that it does happen to be the floating table, then remove it and adjust the rail height to the correct amount.

The idea is to flip the table over on a flat surface. Loosen the rail assembly(pair of 7/16" nuts you might need a 5/32" allen wrench to hold the screw while loosening the nuts), put the gauge between the table and the flat surface such that the flat side is on the flat surface and the gauge part (thick part) touches the rails. With both of the gauges in place the rail will be at the proper height so tighten. Recheck and then put it back on the shopsmith and check the height.

If you did not purchase this from shopsmith it could be you are missing the gauges and will need to order them. They are a must have.

Ed

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 7:22 pm

There is no other way than to adjust the rails prior to tightly securing them to the table. Ed reible has previously provided a drawing that clearly depicts application of the rail adjustment jig that should have come with your upgrade kit.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=205

tdubnik · Post by **tdubnik** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:55 pm

On my upgrade, the floating tables already had the front and back rails attached. I loosened the screws that hold the rails to the table but they don't move. The screw holes are straight through with no adjustment up or down. The only thing that I see I can do is to elongate the holes to achieve the necessary adjustment.

Any other ideas?

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:11 pm

Hi,

This sounds odd. Can you take a picture for us?

How about checking the other table and see how they compare.

When I got my upgrade they said the tables were all adjusted but as it turned out they were not as good as they could be so I tweaked them. The upgrade for the 510 you just get the rails and reuse the tables and again there was plenty of room for adjustment.

Ed

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:16 pm

tdubnik,

We are discussing a 520, right?

Your post says you upgraded 500 to 520 but your profile says you have a 510. If we are discussing a 510 it is a slightly different situation.

reible · Post by **reible** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:25 pm

OK so here is a picture that might help.
[ATTACH]2588[/ATTACH]

The dial relaxed a bit so say the hole is more like .310 - .312.

Ed

tdubnik · Post by **tdubnik** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 9:32 pm

dusty wrote:tdubnik,

We are discussing a 520, right?

Your post says you upgraded 500 to 520 but your profile says you have a 510. If we are discussing a 510 it is a slightly different situation.

I had a 500 that I upgraded to a 520.
The 510 in the profile was a typo.

I bought an upgrade that was manufactured in 2003 but never used. The upgrade came with a new main table, extension table and 2 floating tables. The front and back rails were attached to all of the tables when I received them. The main table and exension table and one of the floating tables are all in alignment but one floating table is about 1/8" lower than the rest. As I said before I loosened the front rail but it doesn't move up or down.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 10:01 pm

tdubnik wrote:I had a 500 that I upgraded to a 520.
The 510 in the profile was a typo.

I bought an upgrade that was manufactured in 2003 but never used. The upgrade came with a new main table, extension table and 2 floating tables. The front and back rails were attached to all of the tables when I received them. The main table and exension table and one of the floating tables are all in alignment but one floating table is about 1/8" lower than the rest. As I said before I loosened the front rail but it doesn't move up or down.

You could fix this by enlarging the hole in the table but......

I would NOT do that until after talking to Customer Service. I suspect that they will make this right without you doing anything other than communicating your situation.

An enlargement that would correct for 1/8" (.125") is significant.