New Owner: Seeking 500 vs 510 opinions

dcoffey48 · Post by **dcoffey48** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 1:24 pm

Hello,

I'll get right to the question and then explain:
For those of you who have used both the 500 and the 510, Do you think the 510 table that much better than the 500? Why do you think so?

Explanation:
I have recently joined the ranks of Shopsmith owner. I have a Mark V model 500 looks like an early 80's model. I got it for a great price $75.00 but it was missing a lot of pieces. I purchase a few items so I could try it out. (Saw arbor, lathe center, Fence and miter gauge)

I work out of our 20 X 20 two car garage. There is no understanding that the cars will ever actually park inside except to be serviced/repaired. So I do have the whole garage. However I do much more than wood working in this space. Auto/Motorcycle repairs, Bicycle repairs, Welding, Electronic projects, General all around workshop.

All that to say I have decided to give the Shopsmith a try. I have removed my Table Saw, Jig saw, Bandsaw, and Belt Sander. (not sure about the 6" jointer yet, Any opinions on the Shopsmith 4" vs a dedicated 6" jointer?) There is just not enough room to do every thing I do in this space with dedicated tools. I have also decided it is more economical to look for another Shopsmith with as many accessories as I can find in one package than to piece meal the one I have. I can then part out or re-sell the left overs. I am having trouble deciding whether to hold out for a 510 model or not. I only have about $1000 to spend so I am really being picky about the best deal I can find.

This is a great forum!

Dave.

algale · Post by **algale** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 1:53 pm

Welcome to the forum. I don't have either model you have inquired about (I bought a used 520 with bandsaw and dust collector for $800). But, here's a good link showing the different tables with the older 500, the 505, the 510 and 520 with dimensions.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/Mast ... 8-08r2.pdf

Whether the smaller table of the older model will work for you probably depends on many factors, what kind of wood working you do and on what scale.

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 3:03 pm

Having had all models 500/510/520/PowerPro, I can strongly recommend the skipping the 510 and go to the 520 if you are buying new. The fence alone is worth the price in addition to the rip scale.

Besides the size of the table, the 510/520 also have T-slots for adding accessories and the 520 has a much better fence then either the 500 or 510.

The upgrades also include a better saw guard, riving knife, the ability to use the lower saw guide while disk sanding, better table adjustment with the improved carriage.

My jointer is rarely used by me but I have had 10' x 1 1/2" oak put through it successfully but I needed to add several in-feed and out-feed supports. The 4" width has never been an issue but the short bed could be unless you add additional support.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 3:12 pm

Dave, I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice here. But for my .02 cents, if you haven't gotten rid of your table saw (and it's a full-sized saw like a contractor's style or cabinet saw with a tilting arbor), I'd keep it and forgo the used 510/520. Get a mobile base for it and you can move it out of the way easily. Since you already have a 6" jointer, I'd keep that too. And again, use a mobile base.

I've got a complete complement of Shopsmith tools, which I really like, but there's no way I'd give up a full-sized table saw.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 3:33 pm

What is a "Full Sized Table Saw"???

How big is the table, what size motor, and what kind of fence?

There are many full size table saws available that I would not bother to move into my shop. Then there is the Delta Unisaw! I dream about having a shop large enough to host my dream tool. Since I know that will never happen - I have settled for the next best.

I have a 510 and a 520 that I believe are great tools. All you need to do is solve the noise/vibration issue that you are having and you will have one too.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 3:44 pm

There are a few differences between a 500, a 510 and a 520 but the biggest difference (in my opinion is the table. I would set out to find a Mark V with the larger table {that means a 505 510 or 520}. Of course, there is also the PowerPro or the Mark 7 but those are different quests.

The next feature that I would be on the look out for is the improved rip fence (Pro Fence)which really means a 520. But, there is nothing that I have found I can do on my 520 that cannot be replicated on the 510.

If you are truly a garage shop wood worker, you don't need a large jointer. The 4" jointer is quite adequate. Yes, there will be occasions when it sure would be nice to have a bigger jointer but those will be few and far between.

If I was to give any advice at all about the 500 that you have - I would say tear into that puppy to see what makes it work, put it back together using new parts where required (bearings probably), lubricate it, align it and use it until something perfect comes along. Having done this, when the right one comes - you will know it.

Knowing more about your Table Saw, Jig Saw, Band Saw and Belt Sander may alter that recommendation somewhat. The Model, Age and Condition would be the most significant factors for me.

dcoffey48 · Post by **dcoffey48** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 4:06 pm

dusty wrote: If I was to give any advice at all about the 500 that you have - I would say tear into that puppy to see what makes it work, put it back together using new parts where required (bearings probably), lubricate it, align it and use it until something perfect comes along. Having done this, when the right one comes - you will know it.

I wholeheartedly agree with you on that!
One of the first thing I did when I got it home was take it apart. That's just the way I am.

The bearings were in pretty good shape so I left them alone. The locking wedges were wore but I was able to file them flat again. I ordered some new ones just in case but filing them seems to have done the trick.

Dave.

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 4:41 pm

I have a 510, a Mark VII (the old one) and several small table Mark V's. I also have a number of stand alone machines. I don't know what kind of table saw you have (I have a Ridgid TS-3650 I love) but I would say in general that "Pennview" gave you some very good advice.

I do use my 510 as a table saw now and then but not on a day to day basis.
Part of my shop philosophy is that I want everything in the shop on wheels but me...

.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 4:53 pm

I love my 510. Sorry, never had a 500. My 510 table saw is perfect. The miter slots and the rip fence line up with the blade very, very closely. (no consistent saw marks on a rip cut.)

Can't understand how a 520 would be any better, especially with the aligning issues some have had.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Mon Aug 08, 2011 5:33 pm

I too would skip the 510 and go to the 520.
To me the 510 was SS biggest mistake. The 520 fixed all the problems the 510 introduced.

I loved my 500 hated my 510 and I now love my 520.

I hated the 510 so much I refused to use it for almost 10 years. Would have sold it in a heart beat to first guy that would give me near half of what I paid.

The 520 is so superior I can't tell you how great it is.