Band Saw Fence

[backhertz]

Some asked me about the bandsaw fence that was part of the 520 system I picked up on April 30th. I just took it out of the car today and figured I'd take a bunch of pictures.

It looks very simply to make. The are even two adjustment screws on the wooden piece that grips the table. To adjust for drift maybe? I'm not sure.

[backhertz]

Here are the rest of the photo's. If any more information is needed, please let me know and I'll provide.

[bobgroh]

I think the two screws are for aligning the fence (to be at right angles). Nice touch.

I doubt they are for drift adjustment as they are a bit hard to get to. They could, of course, be used for that but adjustment is just too difficult to get to for drift adjustment.

Just my take on it. Nice fence - I need one for my bandsaw and you got me thinking!

[joedw00]

Thanks for the post. Another one to add to my TO-DO list.

[wingrider]

Nice, got me thinking to. This could be adapted to a cast iron table, instead of using the miter gage for a fence. I may have to see what I can put together. Thanks for the pictures.

[backhertz]

I can't take any credit for this fence. It was simply mounted to a bandsaw that I purchased on 520 system on April 30th. It was almost surreal. A 520 system with a new-style bandsaw for only $600. It had been listed on April 5th.

On April 29th I was on my way to look at a 510 system which included a bandsaw. For some reason I wanted a second bandsaw. I stopped to kill some time & happen to notice a Craig's List ad had the 520 & bandsaw listed on April 5th. For the price it was listed for, I figured it would of never lasted more than a day. But I sent an email for giggles & grins.

I looked at the 510 system and it showed signs of the user not having a clue of how to use it or maintain it. When I pulled he motor cover off to look inside, it was obvious it had never been cleaned or lubricated. The bench & way tubes were rusty. I simply made an offer on the bandsaw. The the guy asked me if I knew anything about the Shopsmith shop vac? Well it turned out he had a DC3300, but didn't realize it. He asked me what he should do. Well I told him he should include the DC3300 with the system & not to sell me the bandsaw. I told him to give his system a good cleaning, lubricate the sheaves & clean off the rust. He was firm on his $800 price and I wished him luck.

The next day I got a call from the guy with the 520 and he said it was still for sale. It was hard to believe I was the first & only person to contact him. I had to pinch myself. I believe there were comments made on the forum about a 520 for sale in Maryland. Well this was it. Unbelievable the difference between this 520 and the 510 from the day before. The 520 looked brand new and had been taken care of. It was a 1999 model.

I drove down in my car & the seller wondered how on Earth I was going to get it into my car. I had it broken down in about 10 minutes & was back on the road in 20 minutes. I've ordered everything I need to make it a Model 7 which has just started coming in.

On Feb 4th, I bought a 510 in order to install a Powerpro upgrade I had sitting since Aug 2010. Why? We started a renovation of our home & I had to use my wood shop for storage & also the basement as well. As a result, I had to break down all my Shopsmiths and needed one to upgrade. This 510 came with an Incra system, a planer, and a jointer. I always ogled over the complete system for $900-something. I paid- well, I stole that one too...

That gives me 11 Shopsmiths- 5 10E/ERs, a Greenie, and three 510s, two 520s that will soon be Mark 7s. When you buy Shopsmiths, people feel obligated to give you everything else they have like SPTs and whatever else.

I had an addition added to our garage for a wood shop and was collecting Shopsmith stuff as it came up. I have speed changers for all the older Shopsmiths along with 2-3 jig saws. I have a stand-alone planer, scroll saw, a Power Station, and OPR, and some much other stuff, I could open a store.

In 2008, I went to Dayton & visited the factory. As a result of my visit, I ordered every single internal part for 3 headstocks to rebuild them as I honestly thought the company wasn't going to survive without a miracle. Haven't gotten around to that but in another month, I'll be in business with my shop where I'm going to restore everything to brand new condition- maybe. I was thinking of chroming the 10E/ERs and totally restoring them. The reason is I've changed goals of having an all electric wood shop to one which is a combination electric and also good quality hand planes and wood chisels.

[billmayo]

Hear is an idea to think about. I have a few front 520 Pro front rails available. Also I have the 520 Pro front & back rails available on Ebay. The thought occurs to me that the 520 rail(s) could be mounted on the aluminum bandsaw table with "L" type spacer for the front and back rail if wanted and you could use the 520 fence with its attachments. Any comments?

[algale]

Thanks for the fence photos (I was the guy who asked for 'em). Pretty clever.

[backhertz]

Bill,
I just realized the 520 I purchased on 4/30 didn't have the rip saw upgrade. I can order a complete kit from the mother ship on Poe Ave. I was wondering what you refer to as the L-type spacer. The new bandsaw I bought has an aluminum base. I'm trying to visualize what you are suggesting as I know it's probably good.

Tony

[billmayo]

Bill,
I just realized the 520 I purchased on 4/30 didn't have the rip saw upgrade. I can order a complete kit from the mother ship on Poe Ave. I was wondering what you refer to as the L-type spacer. The new bandsaw I bought has an aluminum base. I'm trying to visualize what you are suggesting as I know it's probably good.

Tony

The "L" backet (1"-2") length would be the same as the table rails length. I never tried this change as I have no 520 Shopsmiths set up in my shop. The outer bolts on the 520 Pro rails have a wider spcing the the width of the bandsaw aluminum table. The 520 rails bolt holes needs to be mounted lower than the bottom of the bandsaw table. There are 3 bolt existing for the aluminum table fence bracket. I would bolt the upper "L" into the table 3 bolts and then with the 520 fence setting on the table and tighten on the front rail, drill the 3 rail bolt hold in the down facing "L" face so the fence just clears the table.

I believe I have several Shopsmith aluminum bandsaw table fences (555645) still laying around. I have used the 500 fence on the aluminum bandsaw table too.

I have mounted many 500 main tables in place of the steel bandsaw table and also use them on the 610 jig saw.

I keep a large stock of various sizes "L". "T", flat, and round metal brackets for my various jigs and modifications.