Alignment successes and failures

[reubenjames]

Well, per a couple of other threads of mine, it was determined that a good alignment session was in order. My brothers (the twins) turned 50 today, and we all went out for dinner to celebrate with the one who lives in town. When I got home, I headed into the shop to go through the SS Mark V 510 alignment steps "by the book."

All in all, things are looking good. Made a few corrections in places. The miter gauge to saw blade parallel is within .003" by my dial gauge's reckoning.

It turns out the rip fence was dead on, BUT, I will note that a couple of days ago, due to some other threads on here, I noticed the set screw used for offsetting the alignment for some sanding operations was engaged with the rail, and I backed it out. This would have been the situation since I bought my SS, as I did not advance that set screw (or know about it) after obtaining it. So that may have been contributing to some of my issues.

The only thing I didn't do was set the stops on my miter gauge because...I don't have a plunger on mine! Guess it's missing. I don't know if I just didn't put it in when I put it back together long ago, or if it never had it. I tried to steal the one from my 500 miter gauge, but it looked like I'd have to drill or tap out a pin to get it to come out--but the 510 miter gauge didn't have the same pin hole, so I don't know how the plunger secures on the 510. Given the difference, I didn't know if they were compatible, so I'll have to check the MS for the part and see what it looks like (or you all can tell me).

I also didn't have time to align the extension tables with the main table, though I don't think they are out of alignment. I will complete that before I do anything else, though. I also wanted to take time to rotate my way tubes, per an old episode with Nick Engler, to see if my headstock and carriage can slide a little easier on there.

[JPG]

The plunger has a cut out on one side that makes it captive because a tension pin runs through the cutout. 1/4" od IIRC.

The newer version is 1/4" at the stop end, but smaller at the knurled end. The hole is counter bored from the stop end. Thus it is captive due to the od difference.

BTW the MS does not make the older ones(according to 'Dave').

[reubenjames]

Good thing I didn't pop out the older one then. I'll have to pick up the newer.

[JPG]

Good thing I didn't pop out the older one then. I'll have to pick up the newer.

I'se going nite nite - got a class to teach in the AM. Goin fer 0200 here.

[reubenjames]

Creeping up on 0100 here and the dog is wanting out. Thanks for the tips tonight!

[dusty]

Well, per a couple of other threads of mine, it was determined that a good alignment session was in order. My brothers (the twins) turned 50 today, and we all went out for dinner to celebrate with the one who lives in town. When I got home, I headed into the shop to go through the SS Mark V 510 alignment steps "by the book."

All in all, things are looking good. Made a few corrections in places. The miter gauge to saw blade parallel is within .003" by my dial gauge's reckoning.

It turns out the rip fence was dead on, BUT, I will note that a couple of days ago, due to some other threads on here, I noticed the set screw used for offsetting the alignment for some sanding operations was engaged with the rail, and I backed it out. This would have been the situation since I bought my SS, as I did not advance that set screw (or know about it) after obtaining it. So that may have been contributing to some of my issues.

The only thing I didn't do was set the stops on my miter gauge because...I don't have a plunger on mine! Guess it's missing. I don't know if I just didn't put it in when I put it back together long ago, or if it never had it. I tried to steal the one from my 500 miter gauge, but it looked like I'd have to drill or tap out a pin to get it to come out--but the 510 miter gauge didn't have the same pin hole, so I don't know how the plunger secures on the 510. Given the difference, I didn't know if they were compatible, so I'll have to check the MS for the part and see what it looks like (or you all can tell me).

I also didn't have time to align the extension tables with the main table, though I don't think they are out of alignment. I will complete that before I do anything else, though. I also wanted to take time to rotate my way tubes, per an old episode with Nick Engler, to see if my headstock and carriage can slide a little easier on there.

I am hoping that what you mean here is miter track to saw blade. Three thousandths is excellent. I have imposed upon myself a .005" standards.

[reubenjames]

Yes, track to blade is what I meant here. I wasn't shooting for that close, just got lucky. 5 thousandths would have been just peachy.

[reible]

If you are that close then everything should work fine. I find I can go a very long time without having to redo alignments. I check from time to time and it is years before I find I need to actually move anything.

During one of my checks I found things were off so I started to do a fresh alignment only to find I had not locked the headstock...... felt pretty lame for having done that. I've done this check a lot and to have failed to notice the headstock being unlocked, well it was just plain dumb. At least I found it before I messed everything up.

I found I like using a master plate rather then a saw blade and having to find the same tooth and having to mess with getting the tooth to the other location and having to fight the tenancy of the blade wanting to move due to belt position...... well anyway that is gone now with the powerpro but I did find that frustrating for a lot of years. I'm coming up to having owned a shopsmith for 40 years this summer, hard to believe since I'm still just 38.

Ed

[reubenjames]

Found my plunger!

[JPG]

Found my plunger!

Miter Gauge stop?