Re: Pleasantly Surprised By Table Saw Function
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 12:28 am
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.
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.
