Upgrading a 500 to a 520 with used parts

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rlkeeney
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Upgrading a 500 to a 520 with used parts

Post by rlkeeney »

I'm considering upgrading my 500 to a 520. There seems to be a lot of used 510 parts for sale on eBay but I haven't seen any 520 parts yet.

Has anyone completed an up grade from a 500 to a 520 with used parts?

I know some of the 510 parts are the same on the 520. Is there a list of which ones are different?
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Post by RonKlein »

The differences are the fence, fence straddler, the extrusions that replace the round tubes on the tables, and the mounting hardware for the extrusions.

There is also the alignment gauges, and the newer 520 rails have a magnetic strip on the front rails for the rip scales. Also, the mounting hardware may differ, depending on the table vintage (pre 1986, or 1986 and later).
Ron Klein
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still_waters_43
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Post by still_waters_43 »

Well you do see the upgrade on eBay from time to time (got mine there, sorry SS:-)

As a matter of fact if you search eBay right now for "shopsmith pro fence system upgrade" you will see a current auction that's bidding at $224+

Be aware though that the 520 upgrades frequently go for top dollar. But if your patient you can get an auction that fits your $ requirements :-)
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Post by sidecarmike »

Watch http://www.craiglook.com as well. I just bought a 5 year old 520 with jointer and bandsaw for $800. I know these things last forever, but it's nice to update now and then. I replaced my Greenie with a 1982 model about 5 years ago and have been happy with it. Just the same, this one just seemed to good to pass up.
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rlkeeney
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Post by rlkeeney »

What a jewel craiglook is! If they only had and rss feed on the search it would be perfect.

Thanks for the tip.
sidecarmike wrote:Watch http://www.craiglook.com as well. I just bought a 5 year old 520 with jointer and bandsaw for $800. I know these things last forever, but it's nice to update now and then. I replaced my Greenie with a 1982 model about 5 years ago and have been happy with it. Just the same, this one just seemed to good to pass up.
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rlkeeney
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Post by rlkeeney »

There is something wrong with the ebay search. If I search all categories for shopsmith i don't see this one in the list but if I put in you search I do. So now I have rss feed s for both.

This one seems to be missing some essential parts. Does shopsmith sell these?
still_waters_43 wrote:Well you do see the upgrade on eBay from time to time (got mine there, sorry SS:-)

As a matter of fact if you search eBay right now for "shopsmith pro fence system upgrade" you will see a current auction that's bidding at $224+

Be aware though that the 520 upgrades frequently go for top dollar. But if your patient you can get an auction that fits your $ requirements :-)
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rlkeeney
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Post by rlkeeney »

Sounds like I can buy the 510 parts and then all I will need is the 520 fence and alignment gauges.
RonKlein wrote:The differences are the fence, fence straddler, the extrusions that replace the round tubes on the tables, and the mounting hardware for the extrusions.

There is also the alignment gauges, and the newer 520 rails have a magnetic strip on the front rails for the rip scales. Also, the mounting hardware may differ, depending on the table vintage (pre 1986, or 1986 and later).
Ron Klein
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rlkeeney
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Post by rlkeeney »

I might be better off to buy a used 510 and add the fence or possibly just buy a used 520 and sell my old one or use it for some thing else.
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billmayo
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Shopsmith 520 Upgrade

Post by billmayo »

rlkeeney wrote:Sounds like I can buy the 510 parts and then all I will need is the 520 fence and alignment gauges.
If you buy the 520 fence rails and fence separate from Shopsmith, you will find that buying the 520 main table rails ($302), floating and extension table rails ($221) and fence ($302) will cost $655 plus shipping. The 510 to 520 upgrade kit #555983 from Shopsmith is only $425 plus shipping which also has a lot more items (more than $100 worth) included for this price.

I have only seen a couple 520 upgrade kits available on Ebay in the past few years and only a couple 520s ($1200-$2000) on Florida's Craig's List. Your best solution is to buy a good 510 and buy the Shopsmith 510 to 520 upgrade kit.

Please let me know when you are interested in upgrading to a 520 as I have many sources, experience, information and instructions for this upgrade.
Bill Mayo bill.mayo@verizon.net
Shopsmith owner since 73. Sell, repair and rebuild Shopsmith, Total Shop & Wood Master headstocks, SPTs, attachments, accessories and parts. US Navy 1955-1975 (FTCS/E-8)
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rlkeeney
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Post by rlkeeney »

Sounds like finding a good deal on a 510 and upgrading is the best (cheapest) way to go while keeping my eyes open for a deal on a 520. It could happen. :)

I have a working 500 that I bought new about 1982 and a few other tools as well so it's not like I need it now. I can wait for a bargain.
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