Shopsmith Forums

i recently purchased an used 510, novice woodworker here

when the table is lowered all the way down, the left edge hit the top of headstock first , then it effectively keeps making the table tilted (right side lowered).

of course, i could have tight table tilt lock harder, but i do not want to overtighten it, or could stop lowering before the table hit the headstock. However, i'd like to hear from expert.

is there any stopping mechanism missing in my setup? or others are just dealing with it?

2nd question:
when you adjust the table height, how do you handle the floater and extended table connected the main table and maintain the level? let alone, it is very difficult to raise/down the main table using the crank when the extra tables are connected with the tubes. i have cleaned it and waxed the table post and holes using johnson paste wax throughly.

needs some advices and tips from expert.

There is nothing missing however your table tilt lock may not be fully functional. If the table tilt is locked it should take more than normal cranking effort on the table height control (depth of cut). But once the table contacts the headstock why would you continue cranking it down. The left side IS NOT going to go any lower.

I remove the extension extension table when I change table height. Then, after the main table is at the desired height I re-position the extension table.

Floating tables should travel with the main table unless they are removed a significant distance from the main table. If they get moved a significant distance away, the weigh tends to cause binding and table height adjustment becomes difficult. I try not to do this.

Bottom Line: The Main Table and the Extension Table(s) can not be handled as a unit when doing table height adjustments.

dusty, thank you very much for the clarification.

I do hope this helped but even more I hope to see/hear a lot more from you here on the forum.