Shopsmith Forums

Hi all,

I inherited my Dad's SS and have replaced the headstock with the PowerPro. I'm just now getting into trying to get it upgraded, such as a table saw riving knife and cover, etc., but looking through the upgrade options it appears that one has to know whether it's a model 500, etc.. Serial # 271804 made in March 1954 according to the etchings my Dad made in the old headstock. I have attached 5 pictures for your consideration.

In picture # 6075, I know that the white item on the right is for driving attachments, but the black item on the left?

Thanks again for any help you can provide.

John Wolfe
Sanger, Texas

Serial Number 271804 is in fact a 1954.

You have 3 table saw upgrade options from the mother ship.
555985 Mark V Model 500 to Model 520 Upgrade ... $1,321.68
555142 Mark V Model 500 to Model 510 Upgrade ... $1,196.89
505875 Model 500 Clear Saw Guard System Upgrade ... $227.83 I have this one, and I'm not happy with it at all. You still have the small table issues/problems (It seems I always need to cut things where the fence just doesn't sit right). Aligning the splitter located at the end of the table is troublesome and has burned many a piece of wood when it creates a jam. This also makes me feel less than safe. The dust collection is not very good and I have to sweep up anyway. Drilling and tapping of table components is required to install. The bolt that holds the upper guard in place has bent numerous times. All in all it's just a hassle and it does not add much to safety. For not much more money you may be able to score the required components for a used 510 upgrade. If purchasing new and you have the dough, go for the 500 to 520 upgrade.

gaftech wrote:Hi all,

I inherited my Dad's SS and have replaced the headstock with the PowerPro. I'm just now getting into trying to get it upgraded, such as a table saw riving knife and cover, etc., but looking through the upgrade options it appears that one has to know whether it's a model 500, etc.. Serial # 271804 made in March 1954 according to the etchings my Dad made in the old headstock. I have attached 5 pictures for your consideration.

The differences between a 500, 510 amd 520 are the tables and fence rails.

Your pictures are distant and when I blow them up to look the picture gets fuzzy but it looks like you have a model 500.

The 500 has a small main table, and fence rails screwed to the table from the bottom.

The 510 has a large main table, floating tables and tubular fence rails.

The 520 has the same table as the 510 but used extruded aluminum fence rails that screwed in the sides of the tables.

It looks to me also like you have a Mark V model 500, but the pictures are pretty small. In 1954 that was all they made, so it looks nearly certain that's what you have.

My advice would be go for the 520 upgrade. The difference between the 510 and the 520 is mainly the fence but there are some other features that are nice, too. I like the way the auxiliary tables link together on the 520 better than the 510 but they are similar. To me the 520 just seems like what the 510 was supposed to be. IMO, the fence on the 520 is whole lot nicer to work with than the 510 fence, particularly with the rear lock. Now let me quickly add, I have a friend with both a 510 and a 520 and he absolutely disagrees with me. While he's often wrong (but never uncertain) I suppose there's an element of opinion in all of this.

Before I would spend the money on an upgrade to the 510 or 520, I would look for a good used one on craigslist in your area. You may be able to pick up a good one for less than the price of the upgrade to the 510 or 520. Than you could ether keep both or sell the older one.

Ed?

"The 520 has the same table as the 520 but used extruded aluminum fence rails that screwed in the sides of the tables." (Quoted from Ed, above.)

The 520 SHOULD have the same table as the 520!:D

Sorry, that just looks strange to me.

(I'm not really an expert on the MkV/5, but I did see this one.)

steve

In reality they all do the same thing. Table saw, drill press, lathe, horizontal boring machine, sanding station. The three models (500, 510, 520) are different only because some of the weaknesses of the early models have been eliminated. What you need determines which machine will work best for you.

I have a 510 and a 520 and I feel that there is very little discernible difference between the two machines. The 520 rip fence feels more stout and is but it is no more accurate or stable than the 510.

Everything that I can do on the 520 can be replicated using the 510.

I have said nothing about the the 500 because I don't have one and therefore can not make an informed statement about its' capabilities. Suffice it to say that there are a lot of satisfied 500 owners; a lot of them.

skou wrote:Ed?

"The 520 has the same table as the 520 but used extruded aluminum fence rails that screwed in the sides of the tables." (Quoted from Ed, above.)

The 520 SHOULD have the same table as the 520!:D

Sorry, that just looks strange to me.

(I'm not really an expert on the MkV/5, but I did see this one.)

steve

I believe it will look strange to Ed also.

I think he meant to say "The 520 has the same table as the 510 but used extruded aluminum fence rails that screwed in the sides of the tables.

The big difference (my opinion)is with the rip fence and how it attaches to the tables.

I've got to agree with Wingrider. Why would you ever spend in excess of $1,000 on upgrading when you can easily find a 510-520 complete for less than that? I would never sell my SS but spending that kind of money for just a upgrade seems foolish when that kind of dough can get you into some very good tools, i.e. Festool.