That table saw scarea the heck out of me

[edflorence]

That is an interesting picture of the wooden table, but I guess I don't see what really has been accomplished. I think if you can find an old extension table on EBay and mount it on the left side of the machine, then mount the new wide extension table on the right side of the machine, add the sliding cross-cut table (an excellent investment imho) and toss in a couple of front table extensions you can turn your 500 into a completely adequate table saw. If you are looking for totally safe, then you might want a saw with flesh-sensing capability. Other then that, the Shopsmith table saw does not have to be scary. Well, to be honest, I will say that a cross-cut miter on the tilting table could be scary if you have not got some way to deal with the cut-off piece on the uphill side of the blade. Search the forum for Nick Engler's Anti-Gravity sled and even that bit of scariness goes away.

Hope this is helpful.

[kkoyle]

Rocking the blades and other things you attach to the shaft is a great idea, thanks JPG!