Shopsmith Forums

I spent some time this morning going over my 520 and double checking alignments and doing some maintenance. I checked the rails on all of my tables to insure they were set exactly the same.

When I reassembled, I noticed that my floating table was slightly higher than the main and auxilary table. The floating table was mounted between them using SS connector tubes. I had marked the tubes to indicate the slight crown in the tube and had positioned them with the crown up. Since I needed to slightly lower the floating table I loosened the connector tubes and rotated them so the crown was about halfway between the top and bottom. I tightened them back up and checked the tables for level. They were now level!!

This might be a trick if you notice your floating tables aren't level. I haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere but it may be commonplace for the 520 old timers. Mine was just upgraded a couple of weeks ago.

tdubnik wrote:I spent some time this morning going over my 520 and double checking alignments and doing some maintenance. I checked the rails on all of my tables to insure they were set exactly the same.

When I reassembled, I noticed that my floating table was slightly higher than the main and auxilary table. The floating table was mounted between them using SS connector tubes. I had marked the tubes to indicate the slight crown in the tube and had positioned them with the crown up. Since I needed to slightly lower the floating table I loosened the connector tubes and rotated them so the crown was about halfway between the top and bottom. I tightened them back up and checked the tables for level. They were now level!!

This might be a trick if you notice your floating tables aren't level. I haven't seen this mentioned elsewhere but it may be commonplace for the 520 old timers. Mine was just upgraded a couple of weeks ago.

I wouldn't call it commonplace but if your extension tubes are not straight they certainly will effect that alignment criteria.

What to do? If I am working on a task that demands that sort of accuracy, I pay particular attention. Otherwise, the changes in alignment are simply tolerated.

I have now bent two sets of tubes and finally I know how. I often setup with my router table to the left of the left extension table. When I do this the main table is to the right of the extension table and holds one end on the extension tubes. If I hang the router table on the tubes without supporting them with the telescopic legs (at least one) the extension tubes get bent. I never operate without the telescopic legs but the router table is heavy enough to bend the tubes.

Keep the telescopic legs handle and try to never let the extension tubes support any weight without them in place. OR, buy another set of 5' tubes.