Tool Opinions

Forum for Maintenance and Repair topics. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

Moderator: admin

Post Reply
intrinsic_in_fl
Silver Member
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:14 am

Tool Opinions

Post by intrinsic_in_fl »

Does anyone use the iGaging Digital Indicator, from Rockler to align their ShopSmith tables and fences to the blade?

https://www.rockler.com/igaging-digital-indicator

Any opinions on this tool? Will it fit the tracks on the ShopSmith table, or are the tracks proprietary to only ShopSmith?

Thanks
User avatar
JPG
Platinum Member
Posts: 35600
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)

Re: Tool Opinions

Post by JPG »

I doubt it will fit into the SS miter gauge groove since it is smaller than most(all?)others.

I would recommend just doing alignment the old fashioned way and save that $75 for something more useful! ;)
╔═══╗
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝

Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
User avatar
jsburger
Platinum Member
Posts: 6585
Joined: Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:06 pm
Location: Hooper, UT

Re: Tool Opinions

Post by jsburger »

It probably will not fit. SS miter tracks are 23/32" wide. All other tracks are 3/4" wide. SS does sell the same type of gauge.

https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cat ... icator.htm
John & Mary Burger
Eagle's Lair Woodshop
Hooper, UT
User avatar
dusty
Platinum Member
Posts: 21530
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona

Re: Tool Opinions

Post by dusty »

JPG wrote:I doubt it will fit into the SS miter gauge groove since it is smaller than most(all?)others.

I would recommend just doing alignment the old fashioned way and save that $75 for something more useful! ;)
It probably won't fit into the miter track as is but that can be easily resolved. A piece of bar stock milled to the right dimension width to fit the miter track and drilled/tapped for a mounting screw would convert the Rockler gauge to Shopsmith compatible, Even a hardwood miter bar will work.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
kenbu
Gold Member
Posts: 115
Joined: Sat Jan 24, 2009 10:27 am
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Tool Opinions

Post by kenbu »

Harbor Freight’s dial indicator is $17. That and a homemade bar like Dusty suggests makes a great fence alignment tool.

Ken
User avatar
chapmanruss
Platinum Member
Posts: 4544
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:16 pm
Location: near Portland, Oregon

Re: Tool Opinions

Post by chapmanruss »

I use the Shopsmith gauge John mentioned for alignments. For use on the Model 10E/10ER I made a miter bar to fit the miter track. The Model 10's have a standard 3/4" track. I use the gauge for my Shopsmith restorations.

You can follow JPG's advice
I would recommend just doing alignment the old fashioned way and save that $75 for something more useful!
Doing it that way can provide nearly as accurate alignments as the gauge does.
Russ

Mark V completely upgraded to Mark 7
Mark V 520
All SPT's, 2 Power Stations & Crafter's Station
Model 10ER S/N R64000 first one I restored on bench w/ metal ends & retractable casters.
Has Speed Changer, 4E Jointer, Jig Saw with lamp, a complete set of original accessories & much more.
Model 10E's S/N's 1076 & 1077 oldest ones I have restored. Mark 2 S/N 85959 restored.
intrinsic_in_fl
Silver Member
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:14 am

Re: Tool Opinions

Post by intrinsic_in_fl »

Thanks for the opinions, saved me a bit of trail and error.
Post Reply