Shopsmith Forums

algale wrote:There are two versions of the 520 front rails. When they went with the magnetic scales, they added a little ledge that holds the magnetic strip. If
you have older front rails without the magnetic strip, the scales themselves will have no place to sit.

Thanks -- this does answer my base question and makes all of my other questions moot !!

algale wrote:There are two versions of the 520 front rails. When they went with the magnetic scales, they added a little ledge that holds the magnetic strip. If
you have older front rails without the magnetic strip, the scales themselves will have no place to sit.

The photos that I had in mind would have helped some.

Let it be said, however, that the rails are compatible with one another. In other words, short rails without mag strip capabilities can be used in conjunction with a mag capable front rails. Rear rails are all the same.

I had thought about removing the magnetic tape on the tables and replacing it with these magnets glued in place. I think they would be thin enough and since they are neodymium I presume they would be strong enough to hold the tape in place (even the long one).

https://www.kjmagnetics.com/proddetail. ... d=D601-N52
Be well,
Ben

My poor rule for the main table has gotten caught so many times it was damaged and became less then flat. I don't catch it when in use but other times, like when using the drill press or when the table is off the machine even. It is not so much that it is not held on strong enough but rather that it is slightly oversized and it can get caught and bent because it doesn't always come all the way off.

I only use the scales on the main table. They are close enough for things like making birdhouses they are not so good for other work. The scale often needs to be reset due to many factors, if you forget to check it then you could be off on the cuts you are making. Due to all the checking needed it is easier to just measure without the scale on most of my projects.

My rule was so beat up that I ordered a new one but now hate to put it on because I know what will happen to it. If my memory serves they are over $20 for the table one.

If it were up to me I might have gone to the insert rules that incra and others use.

Ed

The two rails are different. The first picture is the old rail. The second picture is the newer magnetic rail.

jsburger wrote:The two rails are different. The first picture is the old rail. The second picture is the newer magnetic rail.

Yes they are different (from one another). But they are compatible. The old rails can be used on the extension and floating tables in conjunction with the new rail on a Main Table.

dusty wrote:

jsburger wrote:The two rails are different. The first picture is the old rail. The second picture is the newer magnetic rail.

Yes they are different (from one another). But they are compatible. The old rails can be used on the extension and floating tables in conjunction with the new rail on a Main Table.

You are correct they are absolutely compatible. I was answering the OP's question about just adding a magnetic strip to the non magnetic rails.