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Re: RE: Re: Main table flatness
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 12:29 pm
by dusty
Skizzity wrote:Ed in Tampa wrote:By the way the procedure in the link above given by Nick fixed a huge flatness problem on my main table. I'm still not happy with the table flatness but that is life.
The procedure that Nick outlines to align the the table is the best I have found. I have tried nearly every procedure given on this forum with the exception of Reible's latest and none work as well as Nick's which is the one specified in the Shopsmith manual. Perhaps the manufacture knows about the machine they build.
Are you referring to the procedure of taking the table to a machine shop to have it reground flat? If I understand correctly, Nick says nothing can be done for the flatness other than that. Shimming won't work. Maybe I missed it.
Some money pics....
right-front to left-rear seems to be the worst but both off.
I have had your experience and I will attempt tyo locate the notes I took when I called Shopsmith. I was fortunate enough to speak with Mike McCann on my issues. I had three table that I thought to be 'out of spec'. Jim told me that if they were out of spec they would do what they could to bring them back in spec and if bad enough they would replace the tables.
The notes that have to find contain the numbers that I was working toward. I will not guess because this is too important to you. I will find the notes TODAY.
'However, you really should take that stack of money with you and go shopping for a precision straight edge and a set of feeler gauges.
BTW, I still have the tables. I never sent them back. While two of them were technically 'out of spec', they were so close.
Re: Main table flatness
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 12:41 pm
by JPG
algale wrote:I think a Starrett is precisioun ground.
Fer sure!!!!!!
Skizzity: This un by Nick.
- main table alignment by Nick.jpg (462.13 KiB) Viewed 3221 times
He neglected to mention removal of the $20 bill(thought it was unnecessary!).
Re: RE: Re: Main table flatness
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 12:45 pm
by Skizzity
JPG wrote:algale wrote:I think a Starrett is precisioun ground.
Fer sure!!!!!!
Skizzity: This un by Nick.
main table alignment by Nick.jpg
He neglected to mention removal of the $20 bill(thought it was unnecessary!).
Yes. I read about the $20 between the ribs and trunnion to prevent binding. I'm not aligning right now though. The main table is sitting on the work table right now.
Re: RE: Re: Main table flatness
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 12:47 pm
by dusty
dusty wrote:Skizzity wrote:Ed in Tampa wrote:By the way the procedure in the link above given by Nick fixed a huge flatness problem on my main table. I'm still not happy with the table flatness but that is life.
The procedure that Nick outlines to align the the table is the best I have found. I have tried nearly every procedure given on this forum with the exception of Reible's latest and none work as well as Nick's which is the one specified in the Shopsmith manual. Perhaps the manufacture knows about the machine they build.
Are you referring to the procedure of taking the table to a machine shop to have it reground flat? If I understand correctly, Nick says nothing can be done for the flatness other than that. Shimming won't work. Maybe I missed it.
Some money pics....
right-front to left-rear seems to be the worst but both off.
I have had your experience and I will attempt tyo locate the notes I took when I called Shopsmith. I was fortunate enough to speak with Mike McCann on my issues. I had three table that I thought to be 'out of spec'. Jim told me that if they were out of spec they would do what they could to bring them back in spec and if bad enough they would replace the tables.
The notes that have to find contain the numbers that I was working toward. I will not guess because this is too important to you. I will do my best to find the notes TODAY.
'However, you really should take that stack of money with you and go shopping for a precision straight edge and a set of feeler gauges.
BTW, I still have the tables. I never sent them back. While two of them were technically 'out of spec', they were so close.
Re: Main table flatness
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 3:43 pm
by Skizzity
Dusty, what would you recommend for a precision ground straight edge to reach the corners on the main table? Over 28".
Re: Main table flatness
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 3:59 pm
by dusty
Skizzity wrote:Dusty, what would you recommend for a precision ground straight edge to reach the corners on the main table? Over 28".
What I have is similar to this one. Mine differs only in that it has a beveled edge. I do not see the bevel as an advantage for what I use it for - a straight edge).
http://www.starrett.com/metrology/produ ... 24%20W~SLC
There are cheaper ones but you sorta get what you pay for with items like this. If you do garage sales, keep your eyes open for this sort of equipment. A lot of people do not know the value of what they have.
Re: Main table flatness
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 3:59 pm
by jsburger
Skizzity wrote:Dusty, what would you recommend for a precision ground straight edge to reach the corners on the main table? Over 28".
FWIW, this is the one I have. I have the 50" one. It is also great for setting the main table and the fixed aux table to the same height.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 5313,50074
Re: Main table flatness
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 4:03 pm
by dusty
jsburger wrote:Skizzity wrote:Dusty, what would you recommend for a precision ground straight edge to reach the corners on the main table? Over 28".
FWIW, this is the one I have. I have the 50" one. It is also great for setting the main table and the fixed aux table to the same height.
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 5313,50074
I have no experience with these (aluminum) but they are probably very adequate for use in a wood shop. My Starrett is a bit of an overkill.
Re: Main table flatness
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 4:04 pm
by Skizzity
Thanks Dusty and John. I was actually looking at the Starrett 36". Now I gotta look at the Lee Valley's. Seem a little cheaper. Gonna have to compare now. Thanks again.
Re: Main table flatness
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2016 4:10 pm
by Skizzity
I don't wanna start a fight.... The Veritas is flat to .003" over 50". The Starrett says +- .0002" per foot. For a 36" Starrett it has better accuracy but will cost more, correct?