Finally... my 500 to 520 upgrade experience!

[chrispitude]

Hi all,

About a month ago, I noticed that one of the stop screws for the main table had been bent during shipping:

[ATTACH]1699[/ATTACH]

I didn't notice this because in my excitement to try out my 520 upgrade a few months ago, all I cared about was getting everything aligned and ready for use at the normal 90 degree setting. (Yes, I didn't do a thorough alignment of all adjustable settings - tsk tsk on me!) When I started my first project, I put the Shopsmith in drill press mode and noticed the bent bolt. I broke a bolt extractor trying to remove it, and sent it back to Shopsmith for service. I am happy to report that they attempted to fix it under warranty, and since they could not remove the bolt/extractor combination either, they sent me a brand new tie bar under warranty!

I am extremely pleased with the service I have received from Shopsmith.

- Chris

[jg300da]

However if you doing a lot of cross cutting of 8 foot boards, a radial arm saw or mitre saw will do the job much better than a table saw.
Ed

Interesting that this statement got overlooked...
I've owned my Shopsmith since 1986 and I can tell you that there are some things it simply does not do well. Crosscutting long boards accurately is one of them. I've been following Chris' thread and making note of the costs he's incurred along the way with his 520 upgrade and the talk of adding a crosscutting sled and the Incra Miter option etc. For that money he could have easily purchased a 12" sliding compound miter saw and miter saw stand with adjustable arms that extend to accomodate 16' boards. And made those cuts much more safely and more accurately. And that tool improves your overall woodworking capabilities allowing you to perform accurate jobs like crown molding etc.
Just a thought....

[a1gutterman]

Interesting that this statement got overlooked...
I've owned my Shopsmith since 1986 and I can tell you that there are some things it simply does not do well. Crosscutting long boards accurately is one of them. I've been following Chris' thread and making note of the costs he's incurred along the way with his 520 upgrade and the talk of adding a crosscutting sled and the Incra Miter option etc. For that money he could have easily purchased a 12" sliding compound miter saw and miter saw stand with adjustable arms that extend to accomodate 16' boards. And made those cuts much more safely and more accurately. And that tool improves your overall woodworking capabilities allowing you to perform accurate jobs like crown molding etc.
Just a thought....

...And a good thought at that, jg300da!

[tmillie]

Hey Guys...I just purchased this, do you suggest I buy anything else to make the job better? IE: 5' Extension Tubes? I'm getting mixed messages judging from the reply's to previous posts....also, extension table? This is my order:

Mark V Help Kit
942328 1 5/32" T-Handle Hex
514890 1 DC3300 Accy Kit
555982 1 PRO FNC SYS RETRO510

[dusty]

Hey Guys...I just purchased this, do you suggest I buy anything else to make the job better? IE: 5' Extension Tubes? I'm getting mixed messages judging from the reply's to previous posts....also, extension table? This is my order:

Mark V Help Kit
942328 1 5/32" T-Handle Hex
514890 1 DC3300 Accy Kit
555982 1 PRO FNC SYS RETRO510

There shall always be something else that you could buy. That is a true statement no matter what equipment you already have in your shop. I have gotten to the point where I thought I finally had everything I needed several times.

I guess the more you have the more you can do...and ...the more you can do the more you need.

But to take a crack at answering your original question "I just purchased this, do you suggest I buy anything else to make the job better?" - the answer is no. It looks like you have it all.

It seems that you have concerns about the 5' extension tubes and extension tables. Without knowing your concerns...I will say that I don't know how you can do without them. Add floating tables to that also.

If you don't have the tubes and floating tables and one extra extension table (making two) - that is what you need to order next.

Oh, you do have some sort of outfeed table right.

[a1gutterman]

There shall always be something else that you could buy. That is a true statement no matter what equipment you already have in your shop. I have gotten to the point where I thought I finally had everything I needed several times.

I guess the more you have the more you can do...and ...the more you can do the more you need.

But to take a crack at answering your original question "I just purchased this, do you suggest I buy anything else to make the job better?" - the answer is no. It looks like you have it all.

It seems that you have concerns about the 5' extension tubes and extension tables. Without knowing your concerns...I will say that I don't know how you can do without them. Add floating tables to that also.

If you don't have the tubes and floating tables and one extra extension table (making two) - that is what you need to order next.

Oh, you do have some sort of outfeed table right.

Nicely stated, Dusty; just the right amount of "dry".

[discordanian]

Interesting that this statement got overlooked...
I've owned my Shopsmith since 1986 and I can tell you that there are some things it simply does not do well. Crosscutting long boards accurately is one of them. I've been following Chris' thread and making note of the costs he's incurred along the way with his 520 upgrade and the talk of adding a crosscutting sled and the Incra Miter option etc. For that money he could have easily purchased a 12" sliding compound miter saw and miter saw stand with adjustable arms that extend to accomodate 16' boards. And made those cuts much more safely and more accurately. And that tool improves your overall woodworking capabilities allowing you to perform accurate jobs like crown molding etc.
Just a thought....

Just a small note: A 10" miter saw actually makes more accurate/precise cuts than a 12" one. The smaller blades wobble less. You''ll see framers use 12" miter saws a lot.

[keakap]

Maybe I'll see if I can put something else together in the meantime, like your angle iron idea or some other flat piece of metal/wood stock attached to the miter.

I saw your previous post on the crosscut sled and it looks like a real nice piece! Given its price, I decided to see how the 24" extension will work (if it ever arrives) and if I decide I need more, that crosscut sled looks like the trick.
- Chris

Still have your 500 miter gauge? With it, your new gauge, and a straight piece of 3/4x4x24" hard stock, you've got the makings of a simple but effective sled.

[tmillie]

Hey Boys and Girls...
This thread has dealt with going from a 500 to a 520, I just got my upgrade kit to change my 510 to a 520, I'm hoping this is easier done than the 500/520 process.

Also, I'm sure there's a thread for Table Saw Blades, Types, Sizes, Arbor Issues, Etc..but got a little tid bit from our local sharpeners.

He didn't think they had any good blades w/ a 1 1/4" arbor, but then when I mentioned I used a Shopsmith, a light came on. He said they used to sell a lot of blades made by "SYSTI MATIC" - he said years ago they made one of the best blades, but since then, they've been bought a sold and have moved out of the USA to process and manufacture and now do it in the Chech Republic. The quality isn't what the used to be, but he sold me a brand new blade from years back, It's a "SYSTI MATIC" Rip/Crosscut Combination, Budke Blade - PT#37102, Dia 10" Type BB Teeth 50 Width 0.085

Just wondered what your thoughts were on 10" blades w/ a 1 1/4" arbor and what you use and recommend.

That's it for now, I'm gonna go play w/ my new 520 upgrade.