Tablesaw disillusionment...

john_001 · Post by **john_001** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:12 pm

I don't do enough woodworking, have enough room (my shop is 12x25) or have a enough of a need to do things quickly to justify a $3,000 Unisaw. Sure, I'd love to have one, and the SS table saw isn't ideal. But for the number of times I need one, it's fine (I have a compound miter saw for small stuff). If I need to work with sheet goods, I wack them down to rough dimensions with my SawCat on a couple of sawhorses. If I did this for a living and needed to be efficient, I'd get the right tools; but for me, the SS does what I want - just slower.

Underdog · Post by **Underdog** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:35 pm

Has anyone ever attempted to upgrade the 10er table to the 510/520 version? Would this even be (reasonably) feasible?

I agree, I'd love a dedicated saw if time/space/money allowed, but it doesn't...

And I will gladly admit, with a huge smile on my face, that I don't know of another table saw that will also, drill, sand, lathe, bore, etc... Just find the table a little challenging at times.

forrestb · Post by **forrestb** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:22 pm

The reason I bought the SS back in 86 was its compact size for all the machines that you get. Plus with casters it allows at least one car in the garage at night.

The table size is fine with me for both ripping long boards (pic below) and the same setup with two more stands allows safe, easy cutting of 4x8 plywood.

\While it would be nice to have a full size shop with cabinet saw and in/outfeed tables, I haven't found any situation yet that could not be handled with the table size on the SS.

Forrest

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:57 pm

Underdog wrote:Has anyone ever attempted to upgrade the 10er table to the 510/520 version? Would this even be (reasonably) feasible?

I agree, I'd love a dedicated saw if time/space/money allowed, but it doesn't...

And I will gladly admit, with a huge smile on my face, that I don't know of another table saw that will also, drill, sand, lathe, bore, etc... Just find the table a little challenging at times.

What I did was to modify both the 500 carriage and the 510/520 carriage to fit the 10E/ER tube spacing. I prefer the Mark V table adjustment method over the 10E/ER method.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:00 pm

Underdog wrote:Has anyone ever attempted to upgrade the 10er table to the 510/520 version? Would this even be (reasonably) feasible?

I agree, I'd love a dedicated saw if time/space/money allowed, but it doesn't...

And I will gladly admit, with a huge smile on my face, that I don't know of another table saw that will also, drill, sand, lathe, bore, etc... Just find the table a little challenging at times.

Not really! The way tube spacing is different so the 5xx carriage will not fit. Neither do you have the spt mounting socket(s) for extension table(s).

Now if ye be a glutton for punishment, go ahead!!!;)

P.S. Bill likes to cut things apart and weld them back together!:D:D

Underdog · Post by **Underdog** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:36 am

Bill, the mods you describe sound worthy of a picture. Do you have one you can post?

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 1:56 am

The table on my 510 is about the size of my old portable B&D contractors table saw. OK, the old saw was a mostly plastic piece of not real good stuff. If I'm cutting a full sheet of ply I will usually make the initial cuts with a skill saw and a guide. If I am cutting a large piece of wood on the SS I will go through the time consuming setup of using an infeed table, setting the left auxiliary table, maybe creating an outfeed table, and since I'm getting weaker in my age, I will get someone to help feed the initial cut at least.
Guess what I'm saying is the 510 table works for me.
Sure, if panel work was common I'd want a dedicated table saw with a really large table. But I don't have room for a full shop setup. That's what I like about the SS.

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:46 am

I have a 500. Of all the things I like about the shopsmith, the thing I like the least is the table saw. IMO, it's a lousy design. I do not like a tilting table in any way, shape, or form. Now make the table little and wiggly, put the blade on a weak motor, and raise it all up nearly to my armpits. Yippee, not.

Not saying it can't be worked with. It can. But the table saw is not my go-to feature of the shopsmith.

wannabewoodworker · Post by **wannabewoodworker** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:21 am

foxtrapper wrote:I have a 500. Of all the things I like about the shopsmith, the thing I like the least is the table saw. IMO, it's a lousy design. I do not like a tilting table in any way, shape, or form. Now make the table little and wiggly, put the blade on a weak motor, and raise it all up nearly to my armpits. Yippee, not.

Not saying it can't be worked with. It can. But the table saw is not my go-to feature of the shopsmith.

I have been learning this myself of late. Glad I bought my used Delta Super10 saw because trying to cut anything on the SS tablesaw was a lesson in frustration for me. The drill press is awesome. The lathe is great. The jointer I love. The bandsaw is very useful and easy to setup (power station). But the tablesaw is a big disappointment.

Stitch · Post by **Stitch** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:27 am

wannabewoodworker wrote:I have been learning this myself of late. Glad I bought my used Delta Super10 saw because trying to cut anything on the SS tablesaw was a lesson in frustration for me. The drill press is awesome. The lathe is great. The jointer I love. The bandsaw is very useful and easy to setup (power station). But the tablesaw is a big disappointment.

You must have one with a small table. Maybe you should consider upgrading.

Shopsmith Forums

Tablesaw disillusionment...

510 table is large enough

Mark V Main Table on 10E/ER