Anyone using 2 main tables on MKV 500?

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Thu May 03, 2012 6:03 pm

How about 3 carriages/tables? One to the left, and two to the right!

Billdit · Post by **Billdit** » Thu May 03, 2012 6:05 pm

My set up is both on right... can put mitre in any of the slots... can put fence anywhere one them... also makes it look like there is a large table on the saw instead of the wimpy one that comes with the 500... LOL

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Thu May 03, 2012 6:05 pm

I could never run two carriages to the right.

I find it it difficult to get close enough as it is with one carriage to the right when turning small items (Which is mostly what I do anymore) Unless I could figure out a different tailstock method using the second carriage. Hmm..... something to think about now.

fgrule · Post by **fgrule** » Thu May 03, 2012 6:10 pm

terrydowning wrote:I have considered a table on the left like your 2nd and 3rd pics. Any idea if this will prevent the coupler from connecting to a Jointer??

Curious. Also would need to find old carriage and table.

Terry

I don't know. It missed my bandsaw by about half an inch. I may see if turning the eccentric tubes on the bandsaw by 180 degrees would be a fix. Probably will. The photo with the coupler shows the headstock jammed tight against the carriage. You can probably get an idea how close the coupler was.

Fred

fgrule · Post by **fgrule** » Thu May 03, 2012 6:16 pm

[quote="Billdit"]My set up is both on right... can put mitre in any of the slots... can put fence anywhere one them... also makes it look like there is a large table on the saw instead of the wimpy one that comes with the 500... LOL ]
Getting more table surface was definitely one thing I wanted (either side!). Now I gotta figure out which way works best. I'm still not convinced to go right vs left. Think it's going to be trial and error. Now I'm trying to decide how to lengthen the coupler an inch! I have an idea involving a 5/8" Lovejoy connector set and a 2" piece of a 5/8" diameter piece of steel rod.

Fred

Gene Howe · Post by **Gene Howe** » Thu May 03, 2012 7:40 pm

Like Fred mentioned, I just added a table to each of my extension tables.
Another table and carriage would be nice, though.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu May 03, 2012 9:02 pm

fgrule wrote:Getting more table surface was definitely one thing I wanted (either side!). Now I gotta figure out which way works best. I'm still not convinced to go right vs left. Think it's going to be trial and error. Now I'm trying to decide how to lengthen the coupler an inch! I have an idea involving a 5/8" Lovejoy connector set and a 2" piece of a 5/8" diameter piece of steel rod.

Fred

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?p=66179&postcount=7

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Fri May 04, 2012 12:35 am

I have adapted 500 main tables and 510 main table with trunnions by cutting off the trunnion legs and rewelding them to fit into the headrest and base arm holes for the SPTs. This still allows the full tilt of the tables; I used a 1" L bracket to tie the legs together and and tie the bracket to the table trunnion. I build jigs to insure the fence would slide between all the table without any misalignment problems. I did many 500 main table in the past 10 years. I did a similar bracket setup to mount the 500 main table on the Jig Saw I have addapted the cast iron Total Shop and Master Craft main tables to fit the 500 Shopsmith.

Culprit · Post by **Culprit** » Fri May 04, 2012 7:55 am

billmayo wrote:I did a similar bracket setup to mount the 500 main table on the Jig Saw...

You, sir, are a genius.

I have a whole list of projects around the house that are a higher priority, but this one is definitely going on the list!

I would appreciate a picture or two when you get the chance.

fgrule · Post by **fgrule** » Fri May 04, 2012 8:47 am

JPG40504 wrote:https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?p=66179&postcount=7

JPG

That was my original thought, but I had been unable to locate the coupler. When I searched for it (Ebay, Grainger, etc.) I tried "coupler" and "shaft extender"....but Grainger's term is "coupling", so I missed it.

Here is my Lovejoy setup. I already had a Lovejoy, so I just cut a 5/8" bolt for the extension (5/8" O.D. x 2" long). Seems to work well. I like yours better (fewer pieces).

From R to L:
Headstock shaft with Lovejoy attached >5/8" bolt section>drive hub>coupler>accessory hub on bandsaw.
[ATTACH]17350[/ATTACH]

Thanks, Fred