Shopsmith Forums

wdelliott wrote:Cross-cut sled
Full supply of all feather boards, especially one attaching to top of rip fence
Mitre gauge extensions, with stop blocks
New blades of various kinds
Cool blocks for band saw
Dial calipers
Router table for SS, which surprises me how I prefer over standalone router table

There are more but these are what I have used the most since my 520 upgrade.

This is a very good list of items that should become part of every Shopsmith owner's inventory soon after purchase.

If it was, however, and money was an issue - the dial calipers could wait. They are a luxury not a necessity.

This is another luxury item that I recommend everyone give some consideration. This or something similar sure is nice to have.

Dusty, are those two "clips" attached to the back of the fence in the photo of the Incra jig there so you can lock the fence to the saw table? How do they work, if that's what the "clips" are for. I guess that's why there are different versions for the 505/510 and 520 models. I have one of those Incra fences, but not one made for use with the Shopsmith and was just wondering how mine could be adapted to work on the Shopsmith.

paulrussell wrote:Thanks to the shared wisdom of these boards, I upgraded my SS to a 520 table, and am forever grateful. There are lots of widgets and upgrades available, both from SS and other vendors. What did you put off buying and later wonder how you lived without.

Answers will be highly personalized from each of us.

SS Things I like a lot: Mark V, Bandsaw, Lathe Live Center, Dust Collector, OPR. Proper Blade for the Job (rip-blade on table-saw is very helpful).

SS Things I didn't want after I got them: Mortise-chisel attachment (I wasn't very successful), Bandsaw extended eccentrics (natural "springs").

Non-SS realm: Wished I would have appreciated handplanes much earlier. Pen-turning accessories are a constant joy.

For those who have not upgraded to a larger table, the front table extention is a must.

saminmn wrote:For those who have not upgraded to a larger table, the front table extention is a must.

Two is better!;)

P.S. Ditto for a 10E/R!

saminmn wrote:For those who have not upgraded to a larger table, the front table extention is a must.

Yep, I totaly agree. The front table extensions are a must, and two are better than one. I got the rear table for my 500, but the jury is still out on it. Sort of a pita to set up, but does do a nice job of guiding long boards when ripping. Is it better than the outfeed stand I had been using for years? Not so sure.

The cross-cut sled also gets my vote as an accessory to get right away. I use the heck out of mine and I like it better than the sleds I built before I got it. In the same vein, if you do a lot of picture frames, the miter pro is way worth it. Love mine.

If I was starting my Shopsmith journey over, I would never have wasted time and money refurbishing the jointer that came with it. I would have gone straight to Craigslist and EBay to find a SS Thickness Planer. That thing is worth it's weight in gold.

Granted, I'm not the most experienced guy, but with the planer, table saw and dado blade, I have yet to find something I need the jointer for. I haven't used it once.

After the thickness planer comes the Nova 4 jaw chuck.

PS: this assumes that you got casters with your SS. If not, that's number 1.

Culprit wrote:If I was starting my Shopsmith journey over, I would never have wasted time and money refurbishing the jointer that came with it. I would have gone straight to Craigslist and EBay to find a SS Thickness Planer. That thing is worth it's weight in gold.

Granted, I'm not the most experienced guy, but with the planer, table saw and dado blade, I have yet to find something I need the jointer for. I haven't used it once.

After the thickness planer comes the Nova 4 jaw chuck.

PS: this assumes that you got casters with your SS. If not, that's number 1.

The jointer creates square edges(one edge to one face)(or beveled edges). The planer cannot do that.

dusty wrote:This is another luxury item that I recommend everyone give some consideration. This or something similar sure is nice to have.

Anyone have one, I am very seriously thinking of getting one. This sale price is hard to pass up.

The Jointech saw train and attached router table with the Jessem lift and the PC7518.

I really do wish somebody would restart Jointech. Great system and well built.

The added table surface and the positioner/fence which is also the router table fence with built in dust collection are great additions. But they come with an added cost, other than financial. All the tables and fences have to be removed for SS operations other than the table saw, band saw or disc/drum sanding. A real PITA!