Shopsmith Forums

My double tilt and 520 upgrades arrived today and were all installed in a few hours .....
except I just don't get how the (fragile) 38" rip scale is supposed to mount on the 17 1/2" table.
I was thinking maybe I would cut a half inch out of the middle of each inch but it would still be too long....... :-)
What am I missing?

shipwright wrote:My double tilt and 520 upgrades arrived today and were all installed in a few hours .....
except I just don't get how the (fragile) 38" rip scale is supposed to mount on the 17 1/2" table.
I was thinking maybe I would cut a half inch out of the middle of each inch but it would still be too long....... :-)
What am I missing?

Did you not also get a short one that fits the main table? The long one is for when you use multiple floating or fixed tables together.

Yes I got the short one and I will use it. Just can't figure out what they were thinking when they designed the long one. The whole point of SS is versatility as far as I know and installing the long scale in any useable way seems to lock it into its weakest iteration, the tablesaw.

Fold it over.
You know, measure twice, cut once!

shipwright wrote:Yes I got the short one and I will use it. Just can't figure out what they were thinking when they designed the long one. The whole point of SS is versatility as far as I know and installing the long scale in any useable way seems to lock it into its weakest iteration, the tablesaw.

You use it when you need a longer scale because of multiple tables used together in table saw mode. Where else would you use the longer scale except in table saw mode? It is magnetic so you can remove it when you need to change the configuration. That seems to me to fit in the SS versatility perfectly.

shipwright wrote:Yes I got the short one and I will use it. Just can't figure out what they were thinking when they designed the long one. The whole point of SS is versatility as far as I know and installing the long scale in any useable way seems to lock it into its weakest iteration, the tablesaw.

I have mine hanging neatly on the wall in a location where it won't get damaged. It's been there since very shortly after I got the 520 upgrade.

Since they go to so much trouble to tell you how fragile it is I can't see putting it on and taking it off (zeroing it each time with a tape measure, setting the fence, and then checking with a tape measure again) much without breaking it.
I believe you have found the best use for it Dusty. Do you mind if I use your idea?

I've been thinking of making the same upgrade in the spring Paul - let me know how it works out for you, and if you think it was worth the money and effort.

Ed

Hi Ed,
I'm only half way there. I get my PowerPro on Tiesday and I still have a lift assist, router collets, and casters on back order but I can answer your question already ..... I think.
My mind may change but no, I don't think it is worth the money if you are strictly talking about improved performance. The original (in my case Mark V 510) is a fantastic machine that is capable of almost any task you set for it. The PP, the double tilt, and the 520 upgrade all make you feel better about your machine and make you smile but they won't be improving what I can actually accomplish with the SS by the amount of expense they represent.
I am doing this because I was fortunate enough to sell a major piece and I am rewarding myself by spending a little of it on my shop just because I want to.
As I said, I may change my mind when I get the PP but I don't think so.

BTW, where on Vancouver Island are you?

Thanks for the response - I was kind of wondering the same, and thought maybe just the 520 upgrade and casters made the most sense in terms of added stability & mobility. I'd be interested to hear what you say after using the PP, and especially after using it in shaper mode (my other reason for considering the upgrade). I'm assuming your back down south already and not missing the Island grey