Shopsmith Forums

dusty wrote:There is just one potential pit fall. Make sure you are measuring from the tooth and not from the body or you'll be forever trying to figure out a 1/16" error that keeps creeping in.

The quill is another potential "gottcha". If you are inclined to use the quill for blade location and it changes (get changed) in mid stream - it's an Ahs***.

You are right. But both the pit fall and gotcha you mention apply equally to the rip scales that Shopsmith supplies with the current 520 or sells as an upgrade to the old 520 rails. This is a little cheaper.

and I have a HD around the corner from my office. I may just stop in on the way home tonight and pick one up.

Ed in Tampa wrote:Dusty

I think before my trunion was drilled my table automatically aligned to the table so the blade was in the center of the slot. After I drilled it I adjusted my table perfectly parallel but never thought of adjusting to center line of blade slot so mine is off.

Is there a thread about this that I should look at? My blade lines up dead center in the insert & I don't know anything about drilling the trunion. What's this about???...and just when I thought I knew everything.

trainguytom wrote:Is there a thread about this that I should look at? My blade lines up dead center in the insert & I don't know anything about drilling the trunion. What's this about???...and just when I thought I knew everything.

Once upon a time there were some trunions that were not drilled out to the same hole diameter at all four screw mounts. This made table alignment adjustment much more difficult(limited the range of motion).

A discussion took place as to the advisability of drilling out the 'smaller hole.

The smaller hole was finally described by Nick as a manufacturing error IIRC.

JPG40504 wrote:Once upon a time there were some trunions that were not drilled out to the same hole diameter at all four screw mounts. This made table alignment adjustment much more difficult(limited the range of motion).

A discussion took place as to the advisability of drilling out the 'smaller hole.

The smaller hole was finally described by Nick as a manufacturing error IIRC.

And to this day we do not know for sure that the undrilled holes are manufacturing errors.

Drilling the holes makes it possible to position the Main Table so that the blade (quill fully retracted) is positioned left of center in the table cutout.

I am one who drilled out the trunnion holes. I did that to two sets of trunnions. If I had a brand new table today (or a set of undrilled trunnions), I would NOT drill the trunnion holes.

I do not recommend that these holes be drilled. Yes, the enlarged holes make it easier to move the table around when performing the alignment BUT it also allows for the table to be (in my opinion) improperly located.

What I would like is to hear from someone who has , in the last couple years, purchased a new Mark V or Mark 7 who is willing to remove the trunnions from their main table to inspect the holes.

If the holes are the same size (all four) then Shopsmith has in fact changed a manufacturing procedure. If the holes in the rear trunnion are smaller than the holes in the front trunnion, they have not made a change.

If they have not made the change, it convinces me that Nick's admission to a manufacturing error was a knee jerk reaction and that there was never an error. Nick left Shopsmith about the time all of this was going on and he was never able to confirm. It can all be read here on the forum if you want to "search" it out.

I say again - I do not recommend that the rear trunnion holes be enlarged. I did at one time but have changed my mind. I also know that some members of this forum disagree with me on that.

BTW: This thread is about a slick new thin ruler at HD. Go back and reread. I don't want to side track anyone. SORRY

Your price was $3 because it was being clearanced. My local HD (crescent springs, Ky) is sold out.

This items will be hit or miss depending on who still has some rulers left.

Good Luck.

Saw some similar at Woodcraft last week priced at $30 each and less depending on the length. I was amazed because I bought 18", 24" and 36" ones 20 years ago for less than $5 for all three. Now they are made in China but cost more. Hmmm? Maybe it depends on where you buy them.

db5 wrote:Saw some similar at Woodcraft last week priced at $30 each and less depending on the length. I was amazed because I bought 18", 24" and 36" ones 20 years ago for less than $5 for all three. Now they are made in China but cost more. Hmmm? Maybe it depends on where you buy them.

Notice also the ones you bought 20 years ago were probably engraved today most are use silk screen printed.

I would love to have a really nice 18 to 20" inch rule that was thin and could slide under my fence but had the markings engraved not just painted on.

Ed in Tampa wrote:Notice also the ones you bought 20 years ago were probably engraved today most are use silk screen printed.

I would love to have a really nice 18 to 20" inch rule that was thin and could slide under my fence but had the markings engraved not just painted on.

'Etching' not as good as 'engraved', but better than 'silk-screened'.

See link post#6

I have the 6"one and the 'etching' is pretty deep.

Oh and some are stamp pressed.

I went by one of the local HD stores today. They got some of these $2.96 yardsticks. I picked up a couple.

If anyone wants me to get them one, I can try to do so. I will determine an inexpensive way to package/ship it. I believe they are easily bent so some kind of shipping tube will be needed. 'I prefer paypal:)'