Shopsmith Forums

This afternoon I helped my son upgrade to 520. this is a precision machine. Using the dial set-up gauge (555884) we were able to get the blade, miter slots, and fence parallel to around .002 inches. The fence alone is worth it to get this upgrade, which also now includes the new direct reading rip fence scales.

In my opinion, the 520 is definitely superior to a contractor's saw and certainly on par with any of the new hybrid type saws.

I want one. But I also want this and that and the other thing also. I am at the 510 right now. The 520 is looking more and more attractive. My wife has even noticed that I have been gawking at photos of the 520. She might be getting jealous.

Glad to have another convert on the side of the 520 upgrade! The upgrade is expensive but it is like having a whole new machine after.

Ed

(The set-up dial gauge... well, I wish I hadn't spent the money on that, while fun for a brief while I'm not likely to use it again).

Congratulations!
I'm drooling, I'd love to upgrade my 500 to a 520. I've always been a stickler for an accurate fence when using table saws, and while I can work with the fence on my 500 and lock it in where I need it, the ease of accuracy will have me upgrading in the future.
This is one area where the used units aren't hurting Shopsmith. You can't find used 520s w/o paying dearly on Craigslist or Ebay.
The 520 platform is definately the future of Shopsmith.

reible wrote:...
(The set-up dial gauge... well, I wish I hadn't spent the money on that, while fun for a brief while I'm not likely to use it again).

Once again I find myself on the same page as Sir Ed, the Knight!
Whew! That's scary!:eek: (just kidding, Ed)

reible wrote:(The set-up dial gauge... well, I wish I hadn't spent the money on that, while fun for a brief while I'm not likely to use it again).

Hi Ed,

I almost ordered the dial gauge too, but then I remembered I had this from Harbor Freight:

Cen-Tech 6'' Digital Caliper

It was definitely not as user-friendly as the dial gauge, but I was able to measure between the miter slot and the saw blade with repeatable accuracy. The key is to make sure the caliper is square with the blade and level with the table, and not hitting any carbide teeth. It takes some time and patience but then again, I don't plan on aligning the table too often. It did the job well enough. I think it's within a few thousandths or so.

- Chris

I found it worked perfectly well to take my dial indicator and simply bolt it to the mitre gauge- provided one remembers to use a feeler gauge or piece of shim stock to take the play out of the miter bar.

Tonight, my son and I worked on my 520, which had not been re-aligned since I moved to Gainesville three years ago. The extension table was way off, so bad that I haven't been able to use it.

With the dial set-up gauge we were able to get the extension table parallel to the main table within about .002. The fence will now be "knats" close to parallel with the blade regardless of whether it is on the main table or the extension table. I don't see how we could have arrived at this kind of accuracy without the dial set-up gauge. The 520 fence, among it's many other advantages, has four adjustment screws on top. You can loosen these screws and carefully align the fence while watching the dial. Boy! Does this enhance an accurate set-up. As I remember, my old 510 fence had the adjustment screws on the bottom, making it very difficult to align.

Nick's tips on aligning the extension table in Sawdust Session 13 was also very helpful. I would never have thought to mark the high side on the blade, nor did I realize that the alignment should be performed with the welded seam on the extension tubes facing downward. I have never had my Shopsmith in such good shape.

Glad to hear of your alignment success. It feels good to know your cuts will be straight, huh?

One question left, on the 510 to 520 upgrade. The list of parts in the sales blurb includes 6 (six) new rails for the main and extension tables.
I assume this is a typographical error? Does the kit actually convert the main and 3 auxiliaries, totaling 8 (eight) rails?
Seems like every time I assume something I get burned.