Pleasantly Surprised By Table Saw Function

[edflorence]

JPG;

Thanks for the pix...Makes it easy to see your modifications.

I also went back for a second look at the bandsaw fence and the new 500 fence and, yes, with the exception of the fence and lock rod lengths, they are identical. Right down to the same part numbers. On both my fences the "special hex nut" is the original manufacturer's part...in fact, for some reason, on the bandsaw fence there are two of these "special hex nuts" (part 518019) threaded on to the lock rod even though the illustration on the data sheet shows only one. And on both fences the nut has its flats below the surface of the front fence lock piece, so there never has been the issue of riding high or binding that you mention. I think your suspicion that the nut on your fence is not the original is correct. I have never had any problem with spring snagging or front clamp being unreliable as you describe, and would think that these issues have come about on your fence as a result of an incorrectly sized and shaped replacement nut.

The jam screw in the coupler on the rear of the fence looks like it will do a good job of keeping the coupling in place. I have noticed on my fences that the coupler does tend to need adjusting to maintain the required tension on the rear clamping lever, but since the adjusment is a simple rotation that only takes a moment it never struck me as a problem. I can see, though, that stabilizing the coupler in one position would eliminate that step.

After I ordered the heli-coil repair kit, which has yet to arrive, I went to the SS site and priced the Fence Base, (part 518018) thinking I might just replace that whole unit. The price is about 16 dollars, plus shipping, which puts it right in the ballpark with the heli-coil kit. Given that others have also had issues with the holes in this part stripping out, I think I will go ahead with my plan to reline all 4 of the socket head screw holes.

[JPG]

How many heli-coils come in that 16$ kit?

I agree the hex nut caused most of my previous frustration.

My BS fence now works correctly without frustration.

BTW, I also added two flat washers between the handle and the base.

[JPG]

How many heli-coils come in that 16$ kit?

I agree the hex nut caused most of my previous frustration.

My BS fence now works correctly without frustration.

BTW, I also added two flat washers between the handle and the base.

P.S. I dug out the manual(bs fence). The parts list refers to the nut as a hex nut. Hmmmmmm!!!! Bean counters struck again?????

[dusty]

Where I got all my training and experience, the engineering department created drawings and parts lists while finance did all the bean counting. I don't think this complaint belongs to finance.

[JPG]

You think the bean counters do not exert pressure on all departments?

I am sure that 'special' nut is far more costly than a common hex nut and trherefore a target of them legume tallying folks.

I doubt the design folks had the last say on that nut.

Futher 'review' of the online pdf for the 500 fence upgrade causes the plot to thicken.

That shows a standard square nut and a square 'nest', yet calls it a 'special hex nut'. The pn is the same (518019) as the 'later(?)' hex nut.

So I conclude the design did change including the shape of the 'nest'. I do not know the sequence.

I also conclude someone does not realize there are hex nuts AND square nuts.

A square nut is NOT a special 'hex' nut.

Damn having 'old' knowledge can be frustrating at times.

[edflorence]

How many heli-coils come in that 16$ kit?

The kit contains the tap, the insertion tool and 12 heli-coils. The proper size drill bit is not included. With shipping, the kit came to about $26. The fence base from Shopsmith is just under $16 and I am assuming there would have been about $7 or $8 in shipping costs. With 12 heli-coils I could repair all 8 holes (both fences) should they all strip out...which I think (hope!) is probably quite unlikely.

[JPG]

How many heli-coils come in that 16$ kit?

The kit contains the tap, the insertion tool and 12 heli-coils. The proper size drill bit is not included. With shipping, the kit came to about $26. The fence base from Shopsmith is just under $16 and I am assuming there would have been about $7 or $8 in shipping costs. With 12 heli-coils I could repair all 8 holes (both fences) should they all strip out...which I think (hope!) is probably quite unlikely.

That is more reasonable than I have experienced locally. Where did you purchase it?

[edflorence]

How many heli-coils come in that 16$ kit?

The kit contains the tap, the insertion tool and 12 heli-coils. The proper size drill bit is not included. With shipping, the kit came to about $26. The fence base from Shopsmith is just under $16 and I am assuming there would have been about $7 or $8 in shipping costs. With 12 heli-coils I could repair all 8 holes (both fences) should they all strip out...which I think (hope!) is probably quite unlikely.

That is more reasonable than I have experienced locally. Where did you purchase it?

I found it on Amazon, and it was sent from JB Tool Sales. Here are the order details.

Helicoil 5521-3 10-24 Kit
Sold by JB Tool Sales
Condition: New

[jsburger]

How many heli-coils come in that 16$ kit?

The kit contains the tap, the insertion tool and 12 heli-coils. The proper size drill bit is not included. With shipping, the kit came to about $26. The fence base from Shopsmith is just under $16 and I am assuming there would have been about $7 or $8 in shipping costs. With 12 heli-coils I could repair all 8 holes (both fences) should they all strip out...which I think (hope!) is probably quite unlikely.

Interesting, I used Helicoil inserts all the time in the Air force The kits we had always came with the tap, the drill, the insertion tool and the removal tool.. The tap will have the normal size thread designation on it but will have the suffix STI. i.e. 10-32 STI. That means Screw Thread Insert. Same for the drill bits since both are over sized to end up with the correct sized threaded hole.

I am really surprised the kit didn't come with the drill bit since they are pretty hard to find if you don't know what to look for.

BTW, Helicoil is a brand name and not the name of the generic process. Other companies make the same inserts. Helicoil was the first and best known.

[billmayo]

I buy my Heli-coil type inserts and taps from http://www.mcmaster.com/#. I have used them for many years to repair threads in Shopsmith aluminum parts.