Tilting the Table 'Accurately'

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 9:03 pm

I don't have a Shopsmith Table Saw but I use one at a friends house. We need to rip some 4' pieces at angles other than those with fixed tilting table stops. These angles must be very accurate but we are having trouble tilting the table and locking it at the tilt angle without it changing. Does anyone have any advise for how this might be done more efficiently. We do use a digital gauge to measure the angles.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 9:32 pm

You can do a complete adjustment of the trunnions. OR-----(and I may get skewered for this suggestion, but it's what I'd do!) Remove the saw and saw guards. Get a pressurized can of silicone spray and using it from beneath the table, spray out the areas around the trunnions. When using the spray, tilt the table to both extremes. This should make the table tilt a lot easier and stay where you set it.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 12:25 am

Stitch wrote:I don't have a Shopsmith Table Saw but I use one at a friends house. We need to rip some 4' pieces at angles other than those with fixed tilting table stops. These angles must be very accurate but we are having trouble tilting the table and locking it at the tilt angle without it changing. Does anyone have any advise for how this might be done more efficiently. We do use a digital gauge to measure the angles.

Which model ss are you using? There are two different tables. The size will distinguish which one it is. (14 x 18 3/8) or (17 1/2 x 22)

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:24 am

Stitch wrote:I don't have a Shopsmith Table Saw but I use one at a friends house. We need to rip some 4' pieces at angles other than those with fixed tilting table stops. These angles must be very accurate but we are having trouble tilting the table and locking it at the tilt angle without it changing. Does anyone have any advise for how this might be done more efficiently. We do use a digital gauge to measure the angles.

I am uncertain as to what the problem is here. The protractor on the main table is reasonably accurate and you say that you are using a digital angle indicator which should further increase your ability to set the tilt where you need it.

The only thing I can think of, and this is a guess, is what Charlese has alluded to. The trunnions. If the system has not been properly aligned, tilting the table can be difficult due to binding of the trunnions.

The very first of the Shopsmith Sawdust Sessionsdiscusses table alignment and includes a procedure (the dollar bill trick) that may deal with your problem. I hope this helps. If not, please restate your problem and we'll try again.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 12:44 pm

The way I take the question, what is happening is that when you set the table, the action of tightening the lock causes the table to move out of position. Is that correct?

If so, make sure you have 2 washers between the lock handle and the trunnion. What could be happening is the increased friction between the trunnion and lock handle causes the handle to "grab" the trunnion and turn it with the handle as it is tightened. This could still happen with just one washer, so make sure there are two. With a couple of washers between the handle and trunnion, any "grabbing" and movement should happen between the handle and washers and not be transferred to the trunnion.

If there are two washers there, maybe cleaning them up or putting some kind of lubricant on them would help?

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:11 pm

Yes, that better describes my problem. I can get the table positioned but cannot hold it accurately when I tighten it. This is very frustrating.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:20 pm

Aahh, that changes matters somewhat. Since you are unable to retain the table in the correct position when tightening the tilt lock, I just may have a fix. I'll have to take a couple photos but I'll post them here when I have them.

Thanks for the tip heathicus. I am not sure that I have two washers. I'll have to go look.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:10 pm

Looking forward to seeing your fix, Dusty!

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 4:02 pm

If I remember correctly, the 500 table tilt lock normally should have two washers between the locking nut/handle and the trunion. I believe the 505/510/520 only has one washer.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:14 pm

It is important to know which table/trunion you are having difficulty with. If you have the smaller 500 table, the locking is done directlt on the face of the trunion, and the two washers are as described above.

However if you have the larger 5xx(xx = 05,10,20)table, the locking is done on a double trunion by wedges on the outer portion of the trunions. Those surfaces are tapered, and the single washer is between the flat surface of the wedge and the 'lock'. Torsion applied to the wedge does not translate to rotation on the trunion.

Methinks you have the 500 table with the single trunion. Double washers may eliminate the problem.