Shopsmith Forums

gnuse wrote:I'm not sure what this "tie bar shield" does, so maybe I don't need it. Anyone have thoughts on this piece?

It does at least two things that I know of. Since it provides additional blade coverage, it would improve safety and it would also improve dust control.

Thanks, so I guess I am still looking for one.

as rob said it improves dust control. where it is locatated most people would never put any of their body parts when the machine is powered on. however with shopsmith's perceived liability they can never be too safe. if you do not have the tie bar shield you probably do not have the other two little pieces of the lower blade guard either. all three of the pieces are only used with the plastic lower guard, not the older metal guard.

Actually I do have the other two side parts

That is why I have been looking for the other piece that I don't have.

gnuse wrote:Actually I do have the other two side parts

That is why I have been looking for the other piece that I don't have.

Just for the heck of it. Are you sure some of these missing parts aren't just laying around somewhere?? With your Fathers condition, they may be ANYWHERE.

Yes, they may be anywhere. I haven't been able to locate them, so I am on this search to acquire one.

Thanks to Bill's advice here, I have used some bead blasting, wire brushes, scotchbrite pads, and then moved onto Rustoleum Rust Reformer and paint to get the upper saw guard back into really nice condition.

Now back to that tie bar shield search

Yes, the parts may be anywhere. I haven't been able to locate them, so I am on this search to acquire one.

Thanks to Bill's advice here, I have used some bead blasting, wire brushes, scotchbrite pads, and then moved onto Rustoleum Rust Reformer and paint to get the upper saw guard back into really nice condition.

Now back to that tie bar shield search

I have found that he had what I believe to be the main piece of the lower saw guard for the later model Mk V's. The problem with it on this Shopsmith 500 is that the vacuum outlet hits the vertical bars. I am guess the later model upgrade uprights were configured differently. Any thoughts or photos available that I can compare?

The red arrows point to the side plates that are in position.

The yellow arrows point to the two fasteners that await the "tie bar shield".

I thought this picture might clear things up..... I know it did for me. I appears the tiebar shield finishes up cover the saw and makes for better control of the dust/residue.

p.s. Yes, that is sawdust that my father left behind..... I haven't made any, not yet anyway.

Have you tried Billstoolz? He is a member of the Forum and from what I understand a collector of SS parts for all models. He buys and sells.