Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 4:35 pm
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the 510 and 520 models also have the two-bearing quill, and upgraded saw guard system, and upgraded rip fences (with the 520 rip fence being an upgrade over the 510 fence, which is an upgrade over the 500 fence). Also, they have the wheel for the table carriage lift, while the 500 has a handle for the lift...I don't have a 510/520, so not sure how big the carriage upgrade really is but it looks like it probably works better and would allow for much for accurate tweaking of table height/position.
As noted, if the table saw is something you want to use with any regularity, wait out a good deal on a 510 or 520. The prices on the table upgrades, either via SS or E-Bay, are much more expensive route to go than finding a well priced 510 or 520 on CraigsList.
Now, the next question is how big is your shop or work space? The notion may seem crazy to you now but if you have the room, you'll quickly find yourself interested in more than one SS. Rather than constantly switch back and forth between various setups, you can find used 10E/ER or 500 models for very cheap and most folks opt for a second (or more) machine for things like a dedicated drill press, lathe, and/or sanding station, a dedicated machine to run SPTs (the specialty tools - band saw, jointer, belt sander, strip sander, scoll and/or jig saw etc.). Folks here can also enlighten you on the world of creating "shorty" machines, where the tubes are shortened for a machine that will be for SPTs, a sanding station etc., since to save on space since the long tubes aren't needed for these features. All of this may be a ways off in your thinking but as you watch CraigsList, keep an eye out for a machine with lots of SPTs at a great price...this is the best way to pick up the SPTs, as they tend to be much more expensive bought one at a time. That 500 that is listed as restored for $400 would be a good machine for such purposes, especially if you can talk them down a bit since they seem willing to haggle - it presumably runs well and is clean and ready to go, so would be a good second machine candidate.
But first I'd recommend jumping on that 520 if it's still available...otherwise, be patient as lots of machines get posted regularly within a ~3 hour drive of the Bay Area. You'll see many folks hoping/dreaming of getting $2k+ for their machine based on what they paid for it or what they sell for new, but the used market is a buyers market, so wait for the right deal at the right price.
As noted, if the table saw is something you want to use with any regularity, wait out a good deal on a 510 or 520. The prices on the table upgrades, either via SS or E-Bay, are much more expensive route to go than finding a well priced 510 or 520 on CraigsList.
Now, the next question is how big is your shop or work space? The notion may seem crazy to you now but if you have the room, you'll quickly find yourself interested in more than one SS. Rather than constantly switch back and forth between various setups, you can find used 10E/ER or 500 models for very cheap and most folks opt for a second (or more) machine for things like a dedicated drill press, lathe, and/or sanding station, a dedicated machine to run SPTs (the specialty tools - band saw, jointer, belt sander, strip sander, scoll and/or jig saw etc.). Folks here can also enlighten you on the world of creating "shorty" machines, where the tubes are shortened for a machine that will be for SPTs, a sanding station etc., since to save on space since the long tubes aren't needed for these features. All of this may be a ways off in your thinking but as you watch CraigsList, keep an eye out for a machine with lots of SPTs at a great price...this is the best way to pick up the SPTs, as they tend to be much more expensive bought one at a time. That 500 that is listed as restored for $400 would be a good machine for such purposes, especially if you can talk them down a bit since they seem willing to haggle - it presumably runs well and is clean and ready to go, so would be a good second machine candidate.
But first I'd recommend jumping on that 520 if it's still available...otherwise, be patient as lots of machines get posted regularly within a ~3 hour drive of the Bay Area. You'll see many folks hoping/dreaming of getting $2k+ for their machine based on what they paid for it or what they sell for new, but the used market is a buyers market, so wait for the right deal at the right price.
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