Binding on the tablesaw

greasetattoo · Post by **greasetattoo** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:24 am

Hey everyone...

Started using my Shopsmith again, yesterday.
I have a MARK V with Pro Fence Table System.

I have a few questions.
When you cut with the tablesaw I was getting some binding.
I noticed my table was twisting, if I happen to lean on it or push to hard on a edge as I am cutting.
(this was just the two main down tubes connected)

Do you guys do a lot of cutting with just the small portion of the table with just two down tubes connected to the base.

So, I thought I would add a floating table to the setup and that added a extra set of down tubes to the base.
Made the table much stiffer, now.

But, when I went to line up the tubes on the floating/stationary table they were off about .125 of a inch.
That was with the adjusters on the bottom of the table loose too!
I finally did get the tubes in the other table but it was a tight fit.

Now, when I want to raise my blade, (I have to lower my table) and it is a pain in the butt. As the back table does not move up and down easy (because of the tight fit of the tubes). So I have to loosen everything and disconnect the back table just to raise the blade a 1/2 inch.

There has to be a easier way.
What am I doing wrong here...
I hope I am making sense here.

Do these tubes or tables get warped?

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 11:14 am

Hi
You are correct that the extension table with the extension tubes does afford much greater stifness to the table saw setups.
As for the tubes being mis-aligned by 1/8 of an inch seems to be a bit much.
My suggestion would be to do a complete realignment from start to finish to align all things correctly. Go to the Shopsmith home site and look up the alignment videos by Nick Engler and follow the instructions to the letter.
I believe that SS still offers the Nick Engler videos on the website. I do not have the direct link to the video right at my fingertips but I am sure that others on this site will post that info to you. The title is "Critical Alignments for the Mark V" and my copy has a stock number of 556062. Stay in touch for more info from others.
Just to answer your question, Yes I do use my table saw function cuz it is the only table saw that I have. I use the main table alone only when I am cuttin small and light weight items. When I do something large and bulky or some heavy construction lumber I always add the extension table and the extension as well as one of the sliding tables for stability.
Bill

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 1:17 pm

Warpage though I believe not common is possible especially if used with large heavy workpieces.

You can check the tube straightness by rolling them on a known flat surface. Yes they can bend if forced enough.

Proper alignment of the entire table connective hardware will minimize the possibility of warping/bending if properly used. IMHO! It will also make it more of a pleasure to setup/move.(i.e. Less of a hassle)

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 2:48 pm

Yes, the Main Table is not all that stable when not connected to an extension table. However, it is stable enough to use without additional support if used only for small, light weight pieces. However, I hardly ever do that. I typically have an extension table included in my set up.

The extension tubes might not be perfectly straight and if they will cause difficulty when trying to incorporate floating and extension tables if they are bent. JPG has indicated how they can be checked by rolling them on a flat surface.

If the rails have not been installed properly, they will also cause difficulty when attempting to mount extension or floating tables in conjunction with the main table.

To check "the existing alignment", I would suggest that you lay all of your tables upside down on a work bench and slide extension tubes into the rails on both the infeed side and the outfeed side at the same time.

If you have a warped table, bent tubes or mal-aligned rails, this fact will become immediately evident.

Keep in mind the fact that the extension table can also be improperly attached to extension base.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 7:21 pm

greasetattoo wrote:Hey everyone...

I have a few questions.
When you cut with the tablesaw I was getting some binding.
I noticed my table was twisting, if I happen to lean on it or push to hard on a edge as I am cutting.
(this was just the two main down tubes connected)

Do you guys do a lot of cutting with just the small portion of the table with just two down tubes connected to the base.

There has to be a easier way.
What am I doing wrong here...
I hope I am making sense here.

Do these tubes or tables get warped?

Great question and you have received several good pointers. Have experienced that problem I found a great solution to stiffening the table. Check out the Table Support Legs at:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/item ... =Find+Item

I bought two and find they offer necessary support. I especially like them when in drill press made. The legs clip under the edge of the table in whatever position you desire extra support. I also found I needed to learn never to transfer my considerable bulk (weight) to the table. Jim

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 10:35 pm

Gee! You guys have all the good fortune! Consider us old has beens who only have a Mark 5 table. At least it is not so big as to be 'wobbley"!:D

greasetattoo · Post by **greasetattoo** » Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:33 am

Thanks guys...
I will give it another go around today..

I found some videos...Thanks Bill!

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm

These are very good videos, I think everyone should have bookmarked!