Fence between main and aux table not parallel to blade

[dusty]

Finely got to aligning my auxiliary table as you have recommended and...

THANKS.... it went very smoothly, and was much easier and faster that I was anticipating. It now is dead on and even the tables raise and lower so easy.

I appreciate your expertise and help....

Thanks again.... Steve

Steve, are you saying that the auxiliary table raises and lowers more easily as a result of doing what was discussed in this thread.

If so, I must conclude that the table and/or table legs were under some sort of stress until you loosened the four stud nuts. I say this because I believe that the alignment would in no way effect the raising and lowering of the table otherwise.

At any rate, I am pleased that this has worked for you.

[JPG]

He said tableS.

I am guessing both tables when attached by the tubes.

With misalignment the aux table support tubes would bind.

[dusty]

He said tableS.

I am guessing both tables when attached by the tubes.

With misalignment the aux table support tubes would bind.

When you have the auxiliary table attached to the main table does your table lift work smoothly. Mine sure doesn't. I have to move the auxiliary table by itself. When I have need to move the main table in this setup, I pull the extension tubes to free the connection between main and auxiliary.

[cooch366]

Finely got to aligning my auxiliary table as you have recommended and...

THANKS.... it went very smoothly, and was much easier and faster that I was anticipating. It now is dead on and even the tables raise and lower so easy.

I appreciate your expertise and help....

Thanks again.... Steve

Steve, are you saying that the auxiliary table raises and lowers more easily as a result of doing what was discussed in this thread.

If so, I must conclude that the table and/or table legs were under some sort of stress until you loosened the four stud nuts. I say this because I believe that the alignment would in no way effect the raising and lowering of the table otherwise.

At any rate, I am pleased that this has worked for you.

Yes it is much easier now. I can raise/lower both main and auxiliary tables together with the extension tubes locked in position, after the tables are loosened. Before re-alignment, there was some stress/binding with the auxiliary table (as JPG has correctly stated in that the supports were stressed) and it would need a little help when raising/lowering.

Thanks again to the both of you.... Steve

[dynabase]

This is a great post. For some reason I never thought about checking the alignment on my auxiliary table. I always ASSumed it was good to go. What a dumb assumption on my part.

[dusty]

Finely got to aligning my auxiliary table as you have recommended and...

THANKS.... it went very smoothly, and was much easier and faster that I was anticipating. It now is dead on and even the tables raise and lower so easy.

I appreciate your expertise and help....

Thanks again.... Steve

Steve, are you saying that the auxiliary table raises and lowers more easily as a result of doing what was discussed in this thread.

If so, I must conclude that the table and/or table legs were under some sort of stress until you loosened the four stud nuts. I say this because I believe that the alignment would in no way effect the raising and lowering of the table otherwise.

At any rate, I am pleased that this has worked for you.

Yes it is much easier now. I can raise/lower both main and auxiliary tables together with the extension tubes locked in position, after the tables are loosened. Before re-alignment, there was some stress/binding with the auxiliary table (as JPG has correctly stated in that the supports were stressed) and it would need a little help when raising/lowering.

Thanks again to the both of you.... Steve

I will have to give this a much closer look. I can see how it would be helpful be able to raise and lower both the main and auxiliary table(s) in harmony (when tied together using extension tubes).

I normally do not attempt to do that. When I need more table width than the main table provides I tend to use floating tables. I use the extension more as a stabilizing element (with a large gap between the main and extension tables) This is when the 5' tubes come into play. Because I am most inclined to work on smaller projects this seldom becomes an issue for me.

At day break I will be in the shop with the carriage and extension table moved closer together so that the rip fence straddles the gap. Maybe, someday I will have learned how to use my Shopsmith in all of its various configurations.

[cooch366]

Maybe, someday I will have learned how to use my Shopsmith in all of its various configurations.

I’m sure many of us can relate to that. Now that I’m retired, the motorcycle is put away for the winter I’ve been spending much more time in the shop using mine. And even though I’ve had it since the late 70’s, I’m amazed at how much I don’t know about it and/or its capabilities. I’ve come to the conclusion and accept the fact that I won’t ever know them all, but learning new ones (almost daily) sure is fun. Sharing them even better....

Steve

[dusty]

Day breaks yet to come but I have been in the shop to try this out.

I cannot say that it was successive but for reasons that disappointed me immensely. My Mark V is in great need of being serviced. With all of the packing and downsizing that has been going on here, routine maintenance has been ignored for months.

My main table does not move up and down easily with nothing attached to it. The carriage and the table support tubes need to be cleaned and waxed; as do the support tubes on the extension table. I got my first hint of failure when I attempted to relocate the extension table. I could barely move it up and down by hand. There was no way it would move as an attachment to the main table. A little wax would do wonders, I am sure.

Then, moving over to the main table and carriage, I found the same thing. I can raise and lower the main table but to go up I need both hands on the table height wheel. That is not the way it should be. By itself, the main table/carriage should be height adjustable with ease.

What I just experienced is most probably easily correctable. Just dig out some clean rags and a can of wax. Wax, wax...where is my can of Johnson Wax. No where to be found because it is packed in a box waiting for the move.

Though this exercise was a complete bust for me, I did see one thing happening that I hope you will check for your own safety. With the tables tied together, when I attempted to raise the tables the drag tended to hold down the right edge of the main table (pulling it out of square with the blade). This may not be the case with a properly maintained Mark V. Just take heed if you do this in the real world.

If I can get to an Ace Hardware, I'll buy another can of wax and redo this exercise. I really should not put the equipment in storage needing maintenance anyhow. It will only come out of storage in worse condition. ..... I'll need a can of oil too!

[db5]

I agree with that 'exception'.

I would take exception to that exception - but I wouldn't know what the hell I was talking about.

[reible]

I don't think raising and lower the set up with the main table and extension tables works.

I think you will end up with bent tubes.

Yes to moving with the floating tables but that is about it.

I've never seen instructions to not do it that way but then I have not seen instructions saying to do it that way either.

I know it might seem easier to move them together but I wouldn't/don't do it that way. I pull the tubes then adjust the main table and then do the extension table and put the tubes back in. I like to use a drywall square to get them level as eye balling it may not work well.

Ed