Saw guards and arbors Mark V 500

[Bbcamillo]

Hi all

I am a newbie and just acquired a 1981 Mark V 500 for free

I am in need of completing a saw guard setup buy adding an upper to my lower or finding a newer upgraded style on eBay. I am willing to give the older version lower guard I have a shot, but I am concerned about saw blade clearances.

Can anyone help me understand what is going on with my setup.....posting pictures. I am assuming I have the correct shorter length arbor for the 500? I’m not liking how close the blade is to the right side of the saw guard.

Thanks
Bill

BF46ACF9-2A98-460E-A1E0-5DE1FFF7A6F8.jpeg (186.7 KiB) Viewed 16413 times

[br549]

Welcome to the forum! I will give you my 2 cents worth, and I'm sure others will too.

I have about the same vintage machine (1980). What you have appears correct - arbor length appears correct, and clearance from blade to lower guard also. Tightening the screw on the front of the lower guard will give you a little more clearance.

Shopsmith came out with a spacer after I got my machine, which gives you more clearance to the blade. I think it is still available from Shopsmith, but fairly expensive for what it is. One advantage of the spacer is that you don't have to open up the side of the lower guard to change blades mounted on the typical 1-1/4" arbor. I tried making a slightly wider version of the spacer, and quickly learned why it is the width it is. Here is the post with more detail. https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/view ... 75#p181075

Dust collection efficiency with an upgraded lower guard might be better than the standard lower guard, but for me the original lower guard is all I have ever had so can't say for sure and what I have works OK. I am trying some modifications to make dust collection more effective.

The original upper guard I replaced with the clear upgrade version. It mounts to the table trunion, so you can keep the same lower guard if you want (just remove it's bracket meant for attaching the original upper guard.

[Bbcamillo]

Very nice spacer!

There is an original on eBay I think, but yours looks better. And theiy want $70 for there’s.

A9C18248-129C-4F19-B3A9-C2E8DAE81F91.jpeg (135.96 KiB) Viewed 16381 times

Thanks for the info.
Especially the option of just replacing the upper guard


Thanks
Bill

[reible]

When I got my shopsmith new in 1976 it came with the guard you are talking about. The bottom part was less then wonderful and top was worse.

In the early 80's shopsmith came out with the first improved guard. I got one and started using the system. (The old metal top was so bad I did not use it after a couple of goes.........) How ever the new version had a few problems getting rid of saw dust so a second version came out with dual ports. I upgraded to that and used it until I upgraded the machine to a 520.

To me the 510/520 system was a major improvement and that included the new upper and lower guards.

If you have to go with the 500 system it is quite expensive to buy the newer dust guards so if you have the money the 520 upgrade gives you an all around better machine and comes with the new guards. I went the path of buying things piecemeal and if I had to do it again I would have just upgraded to the 520 sooner and not went with all the steps between and save myself a lot of aggravation and money.

Ed

[br549]

Very nice spacer!

There is an original on eBay I think, but yours looks better. And theiy want $70 for there’s.

A9C18248-129C-4F19-B3A9-C2E8DAE81F91.jpeg

Thanks for the info.
Especially the option of just replacing the upper guard


Thanks
Bill

You're welcome. The clear upper guards sometimes show up on ebay (that's where I found mine).

Since you have apparently done some research into Shopsmiths to know as much as you do, if you haven't already browsed the "sticky" posts at the top of this forum you may want to, as they are chock full of useful information. I have learned quite a bit just by reading about others' experiences on maintenance and repair issues.

Good luck with your future woodworking!

[br549]

I was unable to find the Shopsmith version of the aluminum spacer for the lower guard the other day, but today I did a search in the forum for "aluminum spacer for lower saw guard" and found an old post in which reible listed its part number ... 555070.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/item ... tem=555070

Almost $17 for a thin piece of bent aluminum. At the time, Shopsmith sent me one for free, I think as part of safety issue. No picture on the website of the current part, but attached is what mine looks like.

I made my replacement out of 1/8" thick aluminum, because I had a piece and it was handy, but any workable gauge metal should work if you want to try to make your own version.

As far as how much you want to invest in upgrades such as reible suggested, that is a matter of personal habits and level of woodworking you hope to achieve. For me, the Shopsmith I bought 37 years ago gives me the level of safety, convenience, versatility and precision that matches my needs. I have made minor tweaks and upgrades over the years, but am still in the amateur ranks.

If you decide to try to find the clear upper guard alone, its part number is 513483 (currently new from Shopsmith for $155.39) and you will also need the mounting block ($7.55) and knob ($6.09)

http://www.shopsmith.com/service/mark/5 ... s_list.htm
http://www.shopsmith.com/service/mark/5 ... iagram.htm

I had to wait a while to find one on ebay, but finally did, with the mounting block and knob, for about $50 including shipping.

Again, welcome to the forum and hope you enjoy getting to know your new machine.

[Bbcamillo]

Great info....thank you.

I called Shopsmith the other day and they couldn’t find it.

I typed in that part number you stated and it showed this result

8DB07C8F-2164-4424-ADEE-226B0FEEB808.jpeg (418.79 KiB) Viewed 16232 times

I may go ahead and order it , then look for a an upper on eBay for now. The main goal temporarily for me at the moment is to not cut my fingers off.

I have contemplated the upgrade to 520 , especially seeing decent pricing on all the components on eBay. After I added up all the components I would need to buy , the total would come to close to around a $1000, for a full upgrade that Shopsmith sells for $1500. Doesn’t seem worth it to me, for a bunch of used parts. I would rather almost save up over time and buy new I think.

Thanks again
Bill

[chapmanruss]

The Lower Saw Guard is part number 505628 and uses Upper Saw Guard part number 505627. When looking for these at online auctions make sure it has the part called the "Shoe" which is a heavy wire loop the mounts into the two holes on the front of the guard to lift it over the material you are cutting. Without it the guard is useless and it is the most common part missing on the ones for sale online. It may help you to find a copy of the guard instructions.

[br549]

... then look for a an upper on eBay for now.

In case you are still looking, saw one on ebay that ends soon.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Table-Saw-Blad ... SwjlBaTBhI

It is mis-titled as for a Mark 7, and may be missing a couple of pieces, but still looks like it might be what you need.

[JPG]

... then look for a an upper on eBay for now.

In case you are still looking, saw one on ebay that ends soon.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Table-Saw-Blad ... SwjlBaTBhI

It is mis-titled as for a Mark 7, and may be missing a couple of pieces, but still looks like it might be what you need.

Sure, like the bottom half. Hopefully the half you already have.*

Consider this'un from a reliable seller. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Shopsmith-Comp ... SwD39aUv63

* look for the grooves the upper guard attaches to.