Shopsmith Forums

garys wrote:Yes, it sounds like your fence needs a simple alignment. Just adjust it so it sits perfectly parallel to the blade in the table, or just slightly away farther away from it on the outfeed side. What you don't want is it sitting a bit closer to the blade on the outfeed side as that will cause burning

I would be more concerned about kick back!

JPG wrote:

garys wrote:Yes, it sounds like your fence needs a simple alignment. Just adjust it so it sits perfectly parallel to the blade in the table, or just slightly away farther away from it on the outfeed side. What you don't want is it sitting a bit closer to the blade on the outfeed side as that will cause burning

I would be more concerned about kick back!

Agreed

I took a few pictures to show the rip fence improperly positioned (with respect to the table grooves/miter slot), then properly positioned and then two images that depict my short cut method of verifying table to blade, to miter gauge, to fence. The aluminum block is known to be square to well within any tolerances that I could reasonably impose on the Shopsmith.

Unlocked position means nothing because you can't use it in that position and you can park it anywhere unlocked.
It appears that if you make a minor adjustment to the locked and skewed position, you can get it where you want it.

garys wrote:Unlocked position means nothing because you can't use it in that position and you can park it anywhere unlocked.
It appears that if you make a minor adjustment to the locked and skewed position, you can get it where you want it.

I am not certain of what you are saying.

I showed locked and unlocked in order to get images of the fence with respect to grooves/miter slots.

When I lock the lower level, the fence positions itself where it is supposed to be (parallel to the miter slot). I do assist in getting to that position by pressing the fence against the rail as I lock it.

If when the fence is pressed against the front rail it is not parallel to the miter slot/blade either the table is not properly aligned OR the fence is maladjusted (loosen the four screws on top of the fence, align it and re tighten the four screws. In otherwords - follow the alignment procedure in the manual.

Yes, Dusty. We are saying the same thing. If the fence isn't aligned when infeed side is against the rail or locked in place, it needs a simple alignment. Nothing more. It is a simple mechanical device after all.

The question that always have wjen involved in one of these "discussions" is do the other participants have the same understanding of what is being said and are the underlying circumstances universally the same.

Example: Lower lock lever vs rear lock. NOT!!!

dusty wrote:

garys wrote:Unlocked position means nothing because you can't use it in that position and you can park it anywhere unlocked.
It appears that if you make a minor adjustment to the locked and skewed position, you can get it where you want it.

I am not certain of what you are saying.

I showed locked and unlocked in order to get images of the fence with respect to grooves/miter slots.

When I lock the lower level, the fence positions itself where it is supposed to be (parallel to the miter slot). I do assist in getting to that position by pressing the fence against the rail as I lock it.

If when the fence is pressed against the front rail it is not parallel to the miter slot/blade either the table is not properly aligned OR the fence is maladjusted (loosen the four screws on top of the fence, align it and re tighten the four screws. In otherwords - follow the alignment procedure in the manual.

The screws you are talking about are by the locks, correct? I do not have the manual for the 520 fence

These four screws when loose allow the aluminum fence extrusion to be moved some (not a lot) for alignment purposes only.
When I bought my fences I was told (maybe I read somewhere) that the fence was pre adusted at the factory and should work out of the box. That may not be the case now. I just do not know.

Paraphrasing the manual: With the infeed clamp locked and the outfeed unlocked, "they (screws) should be just tight enough to require firm pressure to align the fence." Square the fence, then lock the outfeed clamp to hold it while tightening the four screws. Double check your alignment.

- David