Upgrading a 500 to a 520 with used parts

still_waters_43 · Post by **still_waters_43** » Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:40 pm

Well actually that auction would update your 500 to a 520. And the only parts I see that are missing are the alignment tools (not essential you could fudge

your way through the alignment) and also the rip fence scales are missing (so far I've never used mine).

Also, don't forget that the old 500 parts you replace can be sold on eBay (which will bring down the investment a little

rlkeeney · Post by **rlkeeney** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 7:49 am

Buying the upgrade on ebay is an option but first I have to be the winning bidder and know how to do the upgrade without the alignment tools. Assuming I were to win the auction, are there instructions somewhere I can use to do the upgrade?

If I buy another Shopsmith I'll have two machines.

still_waters_43 wrote:Well actually that auction would update your 500 to a 520. And the only parts I see that are missing are the alignment tools (not essential you could fudge your way through the alignment) and also the rip fence scales are missing (so far I've never used mine).

Also, don't forget that the old 500 parts you replace can be sold on eBay (which will bring down the investment a little

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 12:38 pm

The 520 upgrade process is pretty straight forward. Remove all tables, tiebar, headstock, stop ring and carriage. Install new carriage and stop ring. Reinstall headstock and tiebar. Mount 520 rails if not already mounted to the tables. Instructions are on Shopsmith's site under archives, product manuals (510 to 520 upgrade). The rail alignment jig can be made (critical dimension is in another thread here on the forum). Install the tables and begin the alignment process.

rlkeeney · Post by **rlkeeney** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:46 am

After some serious consideration I bid on the 520 upgrade on eBay and won.

It probably isn't the cheapest way to go but I'll get it all at once and will not need to spend all that time searching for the parts.

I also bought a two bearing quill.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 1:41 pm

I purchased my MK V 500 in '83. Since then it has undergone upgrades to 510, then to 520, the 2 bearing quill and the lift assist were added, then another upgrade to the rip scale.

In just a few days this "vintage" Shopsmith will undergo the ultimate upgrade - the PowerPro. Isn't this a great machine!!

Actually, the progression of upgrades may not yet be finished - the MK VII?

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 2:49 pm

rlkeeney wrote:After some serious consideration I bid on the 520 upgrade on eBay and won.

It probably isn't the cheapest way to go but I'll get it all at once and will not need to spend all that time searching for the parts.

I also bought a two bearing quill.

Congratulations! If it is item 140449098279, you may want to pick up a couple of other items. If you have one of the later 500's you will have the longer hub on your sanding disc and your miter bar will have the machined area for the t-washer (available from SS). Otherwise, you will want the longer hubbed disc so you can use the lower guard for dust collection. The t-washer on the miter bar helps to reduce the number of times my miter gauge hits the floor, ouch! You might want to order the rubber carriage stop ring that goes between the headstock and the carriage (as the seller did not show one of these either). Lastly, I did not see any 1-1/4" saw arbors included. One of these will be needed if you want to use any 1-1/4" bored blades you own with the new lower guard.

Enjoy your new 520.

damagi · Post by **damagi** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 5:44 pm

SDSSmith wrote:Congratulations! If it is item 140449098279, you may want to pick up a couple of other items. If you have one of the later 500's you will have the longer hub on your sanding disc and your miter bar will have the machined area for the t-washer (available from SS). Otherwise, you will want the longer hubbed disc so you can use the lower guard for dust collection. The t-washer on the miter bar helps to reduce the number of times my miter gauge hits the floor, ouch! You might want to order the rubber carriage stop ring that goes between the headstock and the carriage (as the seller did not show one of these either). Lastly, I did not see any 1-1/4" saw arbors included. One of these will be needed if you want to use any 1-1/4" bored blades you own with the new lower guard.

Enjoy your new 520.

If the auction is 140449098279 then I wouldn't get too excited. The reserve was not met on that auction, so nobody won unless I am reading it wrong.

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 6:43 pm

damagi wrote:If the auction is 140449098279 then I wouldn't get too excited. The reserve was not met on that auction, so nobody won unless I am reading it wrong.

I don't think you are reading the auction wrong regarding the reserve. That was the only auction I could find ending recently for a 520 upgrade. Now the questions is: Did rlkeeney make a deal with the seller to buy the upgrade once the auction ended?

rlkeeney · Post by **rlkeeney** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 7:05 pm

damagi wrote:If the auction is 140449098279 then I wouldn't get too excited. The reserve was not met on that auction, so nobody won unless I am reading it wrong.

Yes, this is the one I bought. When the reserve is not met the seller can opt to sell it to the highest bidder. It's called a second chance. I've had this happen more than once.

rlkeeney · Post by **rlkeeney** » Tue Sep 14, 2010 7:15 pm

SDSSmith wrote:Congratulations! If it is item 140449098279, you may want to pick up a couple of other items. If you have one of the later 500's you will have the longer hub on your sanding disc and your miter bar will have the machined area for the t-washer (available from SS). Otherwise, you will want the longer hubbed disc so you can use the lower guard for dust collection. The t-washer on the miter bar helps to reduce the number of times my miter gauge hits the floor, ouch! You might want to order the rubber carriage stop ring that goes between the headstock and the carriage (as the seller did not show one of these either). Lastly, I did not see any 1-1/4" saw arbors included. One of these will be needed if you want to use any 1-1/4" bored blades you own with the new lower guard.

Enjoy your new 520.

My miter gauge is machined for the t-washer. I guess this means I have a later model. I bought it in the early eighties.

How long is the longer hub on the sanding disks. I have four and I sure would not want to have to buy new ones.

I don't think I have any 1-1/4 hub saw blades unless I have one of the old blades I got with the Shopsmith when I bought it stashed away some where.

Thanks for the tips.