520 Pro VS Mark 7 table/fence Upgrade

[WaterGeek]

I am currently restoring a Mark V greenie but I want a larger table and easier/ more secure fence - with scale.

I am looking at used 520 pros since it's more cost effective that the 500 to Mark 7 upgrade sold by shopsmith at $1849.

The photos of the upgrade show a different table than the 520 pro. I'm not sure if the fence is the same. If you can explain what's different and what's the same about the 520 pro vs 500 upgrade to Mark 7, I'd really appreciate it!

https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/tls/ ... 64739.html

https://www.shopsmith.com/product-page/ ... le-upgrade

[DLB]

The CL seller is confused. The pictures are of a Model 510.

- David

[WaterGeek]

Ah, that makes more sense...thx

[chapmanruss]

As David said the Mark V in the craigslist ad is a 510. It is the Fence System that is different between the Mark V 510/505 with the larger Table System than the original Mark 5/V 500 Table System and the 520 has the Pro Fence System. Your Mark 5 Greenie has pretty much the same Table/Fence System as the Mark V 500. The Model 500 designation began with the introduction of the Mark V 510/505 Models.

Clear as mud right. Hopefully you are able to follow this so far and it doesn't get even more confusing.

It is the Table/Fence System that is the difference in the Mark V models. The current upgrade that Shopsmith sells for the Mark V 500 upgrade to the Mark 7 is essentially the same as was the old Mark V 500 upgrade to the Mark V 520. The difference between the Mark V 520 and the Mark 7 Table/Fence System is the posts that have the gear teeth on both sides of the post for the Mark 7 to be able to put the table in the carriage backwards for under table operations. The later Mark V 520S had those posts also. Shopsmith could have just as easily called this a 500 to 520S upgrade.

When upgrading from the Mark 5/V 500 to the Mark V 520 or Mark 7 Table/Fence System there are a number of parts that are needed for the change. First and most obvious is the Tables. To that is the Fence Rails which determine the model. The 510/505 have round Fence Rails and the Fence to match. I should mention that the 510 and 505 are the same except the 505 didn't come with the 2 Floating Tables, Connecting Tubes and Support Legs. The Mark V 520, 520S, Mark 7 and Mark 4 have the extruded Fence Rails and Pro Fence to match. That is what you are looking for. The Carriage for the Mark V 510/505, 520, 520S, Mark 7 and Mark 4 is the same. It is different than the Carriage of the Mark 5/V 500 so another item to change. The Larger Table System for the Mark V 510/505, 520, 520S, Mark 7 and Mark 4 has as different Upper and Lower Saw Guard System than any of the ones made for the Mark 5/V 500. Due to the design of the Saw Guard System, they use longer Arbors and the Hub for the Sanding Disk. When looking at the pictures of the 500 to Mark 7 upgrade there are many parts to that upgrade that are not shown in the pictures here on the Website online catalog.

With the exception of the Mark 7. Mark V 520S and Mark 4 the other Mark Models including the Mark V 500 use the same Bench and Tailstock. All but the Mark 7 with the Power Pro DVR Headstock use the same Conventional Headstock. Do know that the Headstock has had many changes made to it since the first Mark 5 Greenies were introduced in 1954. There have also been changes to the Bench since the original Greenie Bench. Those changes won't affect the ability to upgrade to the Mark 7 Table System.

[DLB]

I am currently restoring a Mark V greenie but I want a larger table and easier/ more secure fence - with scale.

One more thing since you mentioned the scale. Early 520's don't have the scale and all tables have a front (infeed) side extrusion that does not support a scale. (Like most things, there is an upgrade for this.) The scales mount on magnets, that in turn mount on the later version front extrusions. So if this feature is important to you, and you buy used, you'll want t select a set that includes the magnets. Both versions are sometimes available on ebay.

- David

[chapmanruss]

Sorry I didn't mention the scales before. Thank to David for bring it up.

The picture below shows the 520 Fence Rails with, on the left the magnet strip for the scale and on the right without.

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520 Front Fence Rails.jpg (121.17 KiB) Viewed 12234 times

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Below you can see the Rip Fence Scale in place on my Mark 7 (same as the Mark V 520) Main Table top.

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520-M7 Main Table.jpg (212.95 KiB) Viewed 12234 times

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There are different length scales some of which can span across the Main Table, Floating Tables, and the Extension Table. The Rip Fence Scales come in different lengths of 9-1/2", 16" and 45" and if I remember correctly there is or was a fourth length.

Although I have this feature on my Mark 7 (which was upgraded from a Mark V) I don't really use it. It has to be aligned to the blade each time the scale is attached to the Fence Rail and since I am going to confirm my measurement with a ruler anyway, I don't bother with the extra step.

[WaterGeek]

Oh yeah, I guess the scale isn't that helpful since the carriage moves, so the table is in a different position relative to the blade every time you change your set up.

That you both for the info, the photos helped now I can tell from images if the magnets are on the table.

[chapmanruss]

Actually, the Blade should be in the same position through the Table Insert every time you setup for the Table Saw operation. No matter where the Headstock is locked on the Way Tubes the Carriage should be up against the Ring Spacer on the rear Way Tube with it against the Headstock. That and having the Quill retracted will put the Saw Blade in the same position each time you setup. Once the Headstock and Carriage are locked to the Way Tubes plus all other locks including the Fence you can use the Quill to make very small adjustments for the width of the cut. This is when I use a ruler or tape measure (on wider cuts) to confirm my width of the cut to the Fence and can use the Quill, if needed, instead of trying to move the fence a small fraction to correct the cut width.

Early Mark 5 Greenies had a set screw and lock nut on the Carriage instead of the Ring Spacer.

[JPG]

Actually, the Blade should be in the same position through the Table Insert every time you setup for the Table Saw operation. No matter where the Headstock is locked on the Way Tubes the Carriage should be up against the Ring Spacer on the rear Way Tube with it against the Headstock. That and having the Quill retracted will put the Saw Blade in the same position each time you setup. Once the Headstock and Carriage are locked to the Way Tubes plus all other locks including the Fence you can use the Quill to make very small adjustments for the width of the cut. This is when I use a ruler or tape measure (on wider cuts) to confirm my width of the cut to the Fence and can use the Quill, if needed, instead of trying to move the fence a small fraction to correct the cut width.

Early Mark 5 Greenies had a set screw and lock nut on the Carriage instead of the Ring Spacer.

About 4-5 " long!