Shopsmith Forums

Do only SS blades fit the SS?

I have a Power Pro, if that makes a difference..

Thanks!

Morgan

With the correct SS arbor, any blade will do.

However only the SS blades fit the 1 1/4" arbors and result in automatic blade alignment to the table slot.

Ok, thank you!

JPG wrote:With the correct SS arbor, any blade will do.

However only the SS blades fit the 1 1/4" arbors and result in automatic blade alignment to the table slot.

I have to disagree with JPG.

1. You can get blades with 1 1/4" holes drilled, including from Forest and they will align with the table slot using the Shopsmith 1 1/4" arbor on the Power Pro, 520 or 510. However, in my experience, Shopsmith's current generation of 1 1/4"-drilled saw blades is excellent and relatively inexpensive.

2. With the current Shopsmith 5/8" saw blade arbor on a Power Pro or 520 or 510 you can use any 10" table saw blade with a standard 5/8" drilled hole and you will get automatic alignment to the table slot.

3. Be aware that there are numerous prior generations of both the 5/8" and 1 1/4" arbors and they won't necessarily give you automatic slot alignment with the Power Pro, 520 or 510.

algale wrote:

JPG wrote:With the correct SS arbor, any blade will do.

However only the SS blades fit the 1 1/4" arbors and result in automatic blade alignment to the table slot.

I have to disagree with JPG.

1. You can get blades with 1 1/4" holes drilled, including from Forest and they will align with the table slot using the Shopsmith 1 1/4" arbor on the Power Pro, 520 or 510. However, in my experience, Shopsmith's current generation of 1 1/4"-drilled saw blades is excellent and relatively inexpensive.

2. With the current Shopsmith 5/8" saw blade arbor on a Power Pro or 520 or 510 you can use any 10" table saw blade with a standard 5/8" drilled hole and you will get automatic alignment to the table slot.

3. Be aware that there are numerous prior generations of both the 5/8" and 1 1/4" arbors and they won't necessarily give you automatic slot alignment with the Power Pro, 520 or 510.

But but they do not come with that size arbor hole unless modified.

I had Forrest drill me a 1 1/4" arbor hole in a Forrest combo blade years ago and still have the blade. I moved to the new generation 5/8" arbors from SS a long time ago and use standard blades now. My go to blade is the Forrest combo blade but I also have a glue line thin Freud blade for ripping thick stock etc. I have the 520 PowerPro.

Jack

As has been already said you can use blades other than the Shopsmith Saw Blades. You said you have a Power Pro but not which Table System you have. That is where the Arbors make a difference. The original table system now known as the 500 uses shorter arbors. The 505551 is the 1-1/4" Saw Blade Arbor and the 555321 is the 5/8" Saw Blade Arbor for the 500. The 510/520 & Mark 7 table systems use a longer Arbor because of the Lower Blade Guard design. They use 555130 for the 1-1/4" Saw Blade Arbor and 555608 for the current 5/8" Saw Blade Arbor. These two Arbors set the blade at the same position so they always align the blade to the upper blade guard/splitter. The Arbors for the 500 (505551 & 555321) are different lengths so the upper blade guard/splitter must be reset between changes from the 1-1/4" Arbor to the 5/8" Arbor.

Thank you Chapmanruss. I needed the number to order one. If I ever get my last two orders.

I don’t think it matters which arbor you use. They all seem to work but as said the alignment to the table varies. Just be aware and don’t lower the table till you have aligned it to the blade insert slot. If you want the consistency between blades pick one style arbor and stay with it. All blade manufacturers will custom bore their blades to any size you want. There are also blade sharpening services that will rebore your blades if needed. Be careful on that one. Always get a reference from someone who has used them before with good results. If you have any doubts ask a local retailer that has a sharpening service they use ( Woodcraft etc ). They will have had lots of experience with that issue. As far as blade quality or brand I think everyone has their favorites. The top three for me are Freud, Amana and Forrest. At their upper end they all make excellent blades. I don’t know who makes the SS blades but they excellent blades also. I have one permanently mounted on a SS with a crosscut sled and it performs very well. All of my SS blades date to the 80’s and 90’s so I am not sure about the new ones.
Paul