Needing a Miter Guage

marcp1956 · Post by **marcp1956** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 10:28 pm

I am a new SS owner and am really enjoying this forum. I thought I knew a bit, howbeit small, amount about woodworking. I now think I know less. Any way, I am going through the set up procedure listed in the SS course and they are talking about using a miter guage. I don't have one, and am looking to purchase one. My question is: Is this the one I need or do I need one specifically for the model 500? http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... rav120.htm

I see that the add says, "And the special T-Clip (removable for use w/ Model 500 Mark V's) on the opposite end of the bar slides in the table T-Slot... and can be locked at any location in the slot with a simple twist of a Phillips head screw."

Does this mean it is less stable and accurate with the 500 Mark V's? Am I wasting my money on such a fancy miter guage or should I be looking at something more like this? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shopsmith-Adjus ... 2a22d587c3

Below are pictures of my SS table:

Perhaps someone has one for sale that work work well for my SS? I'm wanting the most accuracy possible.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:23 pm

That miter gage ya posted will work, BUT ya don't have a way to use the T-clip. But it's removeable. Here's another one that ya can use also.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... rgauge.htm

fixit · Post by **fixit** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:46 pm

From the pictures it appears you don't have the upper and lower saw blade guards. If not PLEASE don't try to use the Shopsmith before getting these safety items!!!

marcp1956 · Post by **marcp1956** » Thu Sep 20, 2012 11:51 pm

Thanks for the link. Now I have one more question: Is the safety grip really needed? I'm just getting started and don't want to buy something that ends up in on a shelf somewhere. But I do want to start with the right equipment.

Upper and lower saw blade guards? I do have some research to do. Man do I ever feel like a newbie. I have been using it just the way it is pictured. I don't even understand where these guards go - beyond upper and lower that is.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:05 am

I WOOD KNOT be without mine. I've watched various videos of people using their TS and wonder HOW do they hold the wood down safely?

What year is your 500? It appears to be a mixed bag.

marcp1956 · Post by **marcp1956** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 12:14 am

Yes it is a mixed bag. The headstock seems to be a 1988 model 510 and the SS is a model 500 greenie of unknow year. Unknown to me that is. The table I assumed was part of the original greenie. Am I correct? Here are some additional pictures of my SS and more information:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=11155

I sure do want to get this going well and start learning how to use it correctly. I hope I didn't buy something with too many missing parts??

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 8:19 am

The thing to keep in mind about the importance of the safety grip miter gauge is the shopsmith table tilts to make a bevel cut. Normal table saws tilt the blade instead. So the grip is helpful in keeping gravity from working against you.

It does look like you have a headstock (the power plant) that is different from the rest of the machine. However, things are interchangeable so you should be fine.

marcp1956 · Post by **marcp1956** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:04 am

So to use the table saw correctly and accurately I need upper and lower saw guards and a miter guage? Has anyone upgraded to one of these: http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... system.htm and still have the old parts? I would be interested in purchasing the old guards if they were complete and in good condition. This is getting expensive!

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:17 am

I want to like the SS safety grip more than I actually do. I don't find it to hold wood very securely. So invariably I find my hand there holding the wood against the face of the miter, just like I would with any other.

The whole thing has a good bit of slop in the rail on the table, and I'm not wild about the various screws and gee-gaws of the incra fence. For the money, I'd rather have a twin rail sled with a miter clamp in it. For accurate work, I'm going to be setting things up with a protractor anyway.

There are dozens of good tablesaw sled plans on the web, for free. Just google "tablesaw sled" and you will see them.

reible · Post by **reible** » Fri Sep 21, 2012 10:30 am

Getting expensive is an understatement, looking at the blade I'd say you are do for an upgrade. Then if you actually find you like woodworking there are a never ending number of other things you will soon "need". Look for a comb blade that will do crosscuts as well as ripping.

As far as the blade guards, your saw has had the upgrade installed at some time.

[ATTACH]18538[/ATTACH]

This is the mounting bracket for the upper blade guard.

[ATTACH]18539[/ATTACH]

This is the part in the upgrade kit.

So far as getting the "old" guard I would not even think about that system. I started out with the old system and upgraded to the newer system. The upper guard was, how should I say this, clunky comes to mind. It was bad enough that I did not use it.... Yea I know I was one of those bad boys back then. The upgrade made it useable.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Ed