Shopsmith Forums

I have a 510 rip fence and I don't want to buy a 520 fence. Has any one a way to improve the 510 fence? I'm not too cheep but I just spent $1500 for motor up date ect.

jackson wrote:I have a 510 rip fence and I don't want to buy a 520 fence. Has any one a way to improve the 510 fence? I'm not too cheep but I just spent $1500 for motor up date ect.

I am not sure hat you mean by a motor upgrade. You can't just buy a 520 fence. The rails on the tales are different.

Some people here seem pretty happy with the 510. I was not one of them. I had upgraded my 500 to a 520 so when I got the 510 I was already used and to me not as nice as the 520, that and my 510 had a few issues to make maters worse.

Bottom line I guess is that if you want a fence like a 520 you will have to go back to the well and buy the 510 to 520 upgrade and spend the $476 + shipping and tax. You could try and find a demo near you and see what the current discount they offer, which will/could also save you on shipping.

Not the news you wanted to here I know but I and others have had to take that road before you, and I think most of us are happy we did.

Good luck with what ever path you take.

Ed

jsburger wrote:

jackson wrote:I have a 510 rip fence and I don't want to buy a 520 fence. Has any one a way to improve the 510 fence? I'm not too cheep but I just spent $1500 for motor up date ect.

I am not sure hat you mean by a motor upgrade. You can't just buy a 520 fence. The rails on the tales are different.

the 1500 goes for the new electronic motor. thank you

reible wrote:Some people here seem pretty happy with the 510. I was not one of them. I had upgraded my 500 to a 520 so when I got the 510 I was already used and to me not as nice as the 520, that and my 510 had a few issues to make maters worse.

Bottom line I guess is that if you want a fence like a 520 you will have to go back to the well and buy the 510 to 520 upgrade and spend the $476 + shipping and tax. You could try and find a demo near you and see what the current discount they offer, which will/could also save you on shipping.

Not the news you wanted to here I know but I and others have had to take that road before you, and I think most of us are happy we did.

Good luck with what ever path you take.

Ed

thank you

Hi Jackson,

Can you describe what it is about the 510 fence that you want to improve? I've never owned a 510 but I know quite a few here are satisfied with theirs, so maybe it is just a matter of aligning it or adjusting the front or rear clamps to make it more functional?

Best,

Al

The 510 to 520 Pro Fence upgrade is rather expensive and is especially so if you don't have a real need for the ProFence. I have both configurations active in my shop and I must say that have a partiality for the 520 fence. However, there is absolutely nothing that I can do with the 520 that cannot be done with the 510 fence.

If you have specific needs or issues, let us talk them out here on the forum. A photo image of your table system could be helpful in avoiding future discussion. There are different 510 table configurations and some have issues that other do not. That could be best ascertained with a photo of your 510.

I am making a wild guess that you just acquired a used 510. If you can post a couple photos of your fence and the problem(s) you have, I'm sure we can help you out.

I've had, and used my 510 for years and am very satisfied with it.

Thanks to everyone. I have the full 510 table system. I should have asked for advise on a sacrificial fence for my rip fence. There are many on the internet but not every one is right for a Shop Smith.

jackson wrote:Thanks to everyone. I have the full 510 table system. I should have asked for advise on a sacrificial fence for my rip fence. There are many on the internet but not evevery one is right for a Shop Smith.

The 510 rip fence has holes that can be used to attach a wood face to be used as a 'sacrificial' side to the fence.

FWIW, so does the Mark 5 / Mark V 500.