fixit wrote:Hello edflorence,
Might I ask why you have a "C" model headstock on a 500 machine? At least that's what the picture looks like to me. Did you buy a new headstock or what? Just curious.
Nice idea for ripping thin strips!:)
Thanks to every one for the nice comments on my idea. I should point out that to get the distance between the blade and the back of the featherboard can be a bit of a chore...certainly not as easy as the Rockler jig appears to be...but, once the distance is set I have been able to get pretty consistent results.
As to the machine...I purchased a '54 greenie about 20 years ago. It was a basket case, but most of the parts were there. I sent the original headstock to SS for a rebuild and they put in the bigger motor, all new bearings, new quadrant and I can't remember what all else. A few years ago I decided I wanted to upgrade the old headstock again, and put in the 2 bearing quill and the new belt. I called SS, told them what I wanted and they offered me a great deal on a reconditioned 50th anniversary headstock that had been used for a year on a mall demo machine. The cost of the "new" headstock seemed acceptable to me, compared to what the second rebuild of the old greenie was going to be, so I went for the deal. One of the best SS-related decisions I ever made...the newer headstock is quiter, smoother and runs truer by far than the old.
As for the the square hole in the table, your guess is as good as mine. A previous owner cut it in and I have no idea why. I would replace the table, but SS no longer supports that piece for the old 500 models.