Add Jointech Saw Train to SS 520

[ChicagoBud]

I have a 1979 Model 500 that I have upgraded over the years, one being the addition of a Jointech Saw Train fence about 15 years ago. I am now replacing the 500 with a new Mark 7 Power Pro 520 system. I plan to use the Jointech fence system with the new 520.

Plan A is to use the Saw Train system as a router only station, attached to the 520 using the Jointech extension table and the Jointech telescoping legs.

As a plan B I had the idea of using the Incra rip fence mounting brackets and glides on my Jointech fence to accomplish the use of the fence as both a saw and router fence. The first issue I see with this plan is that the fence is only 23 13/16” long and the carriage is only 21 1/4” long.

Help, has anyone been using a Jointech Saw Train system with a Shopsmith 520 or better yet has anyone updated a 500 Jointech for use on a 520? Problems?? Answers??

[everettdavis]

I read about Jointech when they were fitting one to a Ryobi BT3 and the kit ended up around $800.

I would love to see photos of how you did your original Shopsmith retrofitting. I haven't seen one done before and would like to see how you did yours. It's a tad hard not having seen one firsthand to envision on a 520, but I suspect folks here would like to see that too.

I wonder if it was something Jointech ever researched themselves.

[ChicagoBud]

IMG_1248.jpg (23.47 KiB) Viewed 2614 times

IMG_1247.jpg (19.78 KiB) Viewed 2614 times

IMG_1251.jpg (23.54 KiB) Viewed 2614 times

1251 image is how the Jointech fence is attached to the SS 500. As you can see the Jointech conversion required the addition of Jointech rails on the SS, which means you cannot use the the SS rip fence anymore on your main table. I used a 2nd main table to use the rip fence for drilling or angle ripping. The Jointech system came with three floating tables which together with the router table gave me a great work area.

1248 & 1247 images show how I plan to use the Jointech system with the 520 SS as a router fence, if I can’t use the Jointech fence with the 520 rails.

Jointech has been out of business for many years, but before they went belly-up they had a system that worked on the 520. I think their system used the 520 rails like the Incra system does, but I never saw one in action.