Mark V Model 520 Rip Scale Upgrade

mckenziedt · Post by **mckenziedt** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 5:22 pm

I was a relatively early convert to the 520 upgrade. When I got the conversion kit, I thought why doesn't it have some kind of rule marking on it, as it has all those flat surfaces. Yes, I also thought how would it work, since the blade and table are not always in the same constant position relative to one another. I could see some kind of Rube Goldburg solution involving a ton of additional parts that wouldn't be practicable. I never thought of a simple magnetic attachment. Then the upgrade to the upgrade kit came out, but at what I thought was an unreasonable cost (close to what I had paid for the whole 1st upgrade). I also wanted some additional parts to convert extra floating tables to 520 configuration(also not cheap: as parts were about $80 per floating table). Then SS had a really good sale on the whole revised 520 upgrade, making it under $100 more than the rule upgrade kit alone. So I went for another whole upgade kit. This gave me enough parts to upgrade to the rule version plus parts left over to convert another main table and 2 more floating tables(all used beyond the rule coverage), plus another fence and safety kit. With some eBay parts I got as well and 60" rail tubes, I can put up 2 main tables, with 6 extension & floating tables and front and back extensions. A 4X8 sheet is well supported during a cut.
The rule system is fine for non precise cutting. It is not too hard to reset it after a changeover. But a direct measurement blade to fence gives a more confident measurement when I want to feel confident about a critical fit.
Don

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 1:26 pm

mckenziedt wrote:...a direct measurement blade to fence gives a more confident measurement when I want to feel confident about a critical fit.
Don

Exactly. (sorry, couldn't resist)

and it don't get any closer than the cutoff edge of an aux fence. No wonder my old SS miter gauge extension is so chewed up...

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 1:33 pm

keakap wrote:Exactly. (sorry, couldn't resist)

and it don't get any closer than the cutoff edge of an aux fence. No wonder my old SS miter gauge extension is so chewed up...

Use it on the other slot, orrr flip the extension end for end!:D

BTW 1x? red oak makes a nice replacement!

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 3:30 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Use it on the other slot, orrr flip the extension end for end!:D

BTW 1x? red oak makes a nice replacement!

Alas, I'd done that already, and too many times, during my early "learning" stages when a lot of stuff got chewed up. (Now in my later "learning" stages I chew up the junk pieces and try to leave good stuff for-- good stuff.)

Ah, red oak. Wood that I could. Unfortunately on an island in the middle of the Pacific red oak is considered an "exotic", and quite pricey (if it's any good).
Although, now that I come to think about it, everything is quite pricey here. Maybe I should re-price oak for comparison...

damagi · Post by **damagi** » Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:51 pm

Does anyone know of a good source for replacements for the rip scales themselves? I recently did some swaps on a couple 520 units, and one of them has the rip scale upgrade. I found everything except the scales themselves (will do more looking this afternoon to be sure though).

522269 38” Scale
522270 9 1/2” Scale

They are $50 and $26 respectively, which seems really pricey, so if there is any non-oem alternative I would love to know about it.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:15 pm

I upgraded my 520 to the "rip scale" back when they were on sale. I find that I do use it if I have some serious ripping to do for a project. I find that once it is carefully zeroed it stays put and is very accurate.

This evening I just had two small rips to make so I measured with my tape measure.