Shopsmith Forums

I am forever reading posts here about every ones 500. It might be small(er than some) but that certainly has not hurt the popularity of the machine. If the table was "too small" there would not be so many of them still being used on the front line of so many home work shops.

Small is one of the characteristics that made people buy a lot of them. Shopsmiths were marketed to the home hobbyist, most of who had a very small space available for woodworking, but still wanted to do it. The large tools of the day are mostly long gone to recycle yards while the old Shopsmiths with small tables are still in service today.

one thing I did see with my MKV table was there is small side to side movement,,,, not much but it is there,, seems like the bigger carriage and table of the 510 is much more stable , I can see with the tubes it will be even better.

The smaller the project the less room for error.


Hobbyman2

Hobbyman2 wrote:one thing I did see with my MKV table was there is small side to side movement,,,, not much but it is there,, seems like the bigger carriage and table of the 510 is much more stable , I can see with the tubes it will be even better.

The smaller the project the less room for error.


Hobbyman2

So, the smaller the project the larger the table needed?

There should not be 'less' 'slop' in the larger table(the support is the same).

One thing one who uses both notices is how cotton picking heavy the larger tables are. The smaller tables are easily handled with one hand, not so easy the larger.

There should not be 'less' 'slop' in the larger table(the support is the same).


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I have looked the crazy thing over so many times and cant seem to find any thing but a little sway between the carriage and tubes. the 510 carriage is bigger ,,for some reason it isn't as as you say sloppy.


I know I don't have the best of eye sight any more but it gets quite annoying, especially when cutting a long piece and the edge needs to be spot on.

I am counting on with the tubes connecting the tables together on the 510 system to be more stable compared to the 500?

Or am I wasting my money on the up grade?



Hobbyman2

I do have the 500 table and used to use it for tablesaw functions until I bought a Delta contractors saw. I do like the larger table surface, but, more than anything, I like the way the balde tilts on the Delta for bevel cuts.
On the other hand, I really had no problem with the size of the 500 table, and certainly do not for the horizontal bore, drill press and disc sander modes.

am counting on with the tubes connecting the tables together on the 510 system to be more stable compared to the 500?

Or am I wasting my money on the up grade?

Hobbyman2

No, I don't think you're wasting your money.

With my 510, I normally cut just using the main table. But, when I want maximum accuracy, or if I'll be pushing the piece against the fence with any serious force, then I connect the two tables together. It really makes a difference.

If you are ripping an six inch wide board, the small table is fine and almost dandy. The larger 510/520 table is even better. It fits lager sleds and makes wider cuts that much easier. I have both and never use the 500 table if for no ther reason than you can't beat the 520 fence. Possibly one of the best fences out there. Square every time!

Hobbyman:

No I do not think upgrading to the larger table system is $ wasted. No question it is better on several fronts.

Now were you referring to 'play' between the table mount tubes or the way tubes and the carriage, or both? You may have a clamp adjustment issue(no neither can be made 'perfect'). The 5xx connecting tubes would minimize that.

The movement I am seeing is coming from above the carriage , below the table ,,,the clamps seem to be tight. by that I mean if I push on either side of the carriage it doesn't move , ... all of the the mounting bolts are tight.

Hobbyman2