Shopsmith Forums

I bought an old mortising system that was designed for the 500. I have a 520. The only difference I see is the Rod (514487) is different. It is threaded on the end to attach a T-Nut. Is this a correct assumption? Did the foot (or anything else) change any? The replacement rod is 16.43. Not a big expense but I don't want to order it until I am sure that is all I will need. I imagine I could get the current rod threaded but that would proably cost more than just buying a new one.

Any words of advice?

dynabase wrote:I bought an old mortising system that was designed for the 500. I have a 520. The only difference I see is the Rod (514487) is different. It is threaded on the end to attach a T-Nut. Is this a correct assumption? Did the foot (or anything else) change any? The replacement rod is 16.43. Not a big expense but I don't want to order it until I am sure that is all I will need. I imagine I could get the current rod threaded but that would proably cost more than just buying a new one.

Any words of advice?

I believe that is the only difference but I could be wrong. Others will chime in with a more definitive answer.

IIWM, I would drill/tap the 500 post,add a stud and a t-nut.

JPG wrote:IIWM, I would drill/tap the 500 post,add a stud and a t-nut.

Great idea but I don't have any metal working tools so that's not an option for me.

You have a Shopsmith. It will handle that task.

Additional(non-SS) thingies are a 5/8" shaft coupling, a tap and some twist drill bits.

SS thingies needed are a tailstock adapter and drill chuck.