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Three Different 520 Front Rails
Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 5:28 pm
by rlkeeney
Re: Three Different 500 Front Rails
Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 6:08 pm
by thunderbirdbat
The magnet on the 520 rails is used for a metal ruler for adjusting the fence. The ruler is removable and has to aligned each time it is placed back on the rail. It was an upgrade to the 520 rail system after it was released.
Re: Three Different 500 Front Rails
Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 9:05 pm
by DLB
rlkeeney wrote: Fri May 20, 2022 5:28 pm
...Other than the obvious alignment issues should I be concerned? ...
I'm not certain, but it looks to me that the second pic is the magnet type but is missing the magnet. I only know of two types. If that is indeed new and from SS, as I'm thinking from the pic labels, I think you got a 'bad' one. Personally I don't use the scales, so the absence of the magnet wouldn't trouble me.
Raising the alignment question has me wondering. I've noticed the rear lock adjustment on my rip fence being sensitive to which table it is on. Like you I have a mix of old/new front rails. I've never noted the rear lock relating to the rail, but will watch for that. Outside of that I don't see an alignment issue with comingling the rail types.
I prefer the algale signature direct read system because it works whether I move the rail or the quill or even the headstock. In essence, it is a metal ruler thin enough to slide under the rip fence. Measure/adjust distance from blade to rip fence. I'm accustomed to micro-adjusting rip width using the quill on the Mark, so this method works and the magnetic direct read scale does not work (for me). To be fair, this probably depends on the accuracy needs of whatever you are working on.
- David
Re: Three Different 500 Front Rails
Posted: Fri May 20, 2022 9:20 pm
by rlkeeney
DLB wrote: Fri May 20, 2022 9:05 pm
rlkeeney wrote: Fri May 20, 2022 5:28 pm
...Other than the obvious alignment issues should I be concerned? ...
I'm not certain, but it looks to me that the second pic is the magnet type but is missing the magnet. I only know of two types. If that is indeed new and from SS, as I'm thinking from the pic labels, I think you got a 'bad' one. Personally I don't use the scales, so the absence of the magnet wouldn't trouble me.
Raising the alignment question has me wondering. I've noticed the rear lock adjustment on my rip fence being sensitive to which table it is on. Like you I have a mix of old/new front rails. I've never noted the rear lock relating to the rail, but will watch for that. Outside of that I don't see an alignment issue with comingling the rail types.
I prefer the algale signature direct read system because it works whether I move the rail or the quill or even the headstock. In essence, it is a metal ruler thin enough to slide under the rip fence. Measure/adjust distance from blade to rip fence. I'm accustomed to micro-adjusting rip width using the quill on the Mark, so this method works and the magnetic direct read scale does not work (for me). To be fair, this probably depends on the accuracy needs of whatever you are working on.
- David
The one with the magnet missing is new. I ordered it to replace a bent rail. I just looked and you can order the rail with a magnet or without. The rail with the magnet is currently not available or the price is crazy. $9999.99.
I have my extra tables for a support system and have plenty of the early style rails so I don't think that will be an issue. All of the tables were purchased and used and I never thought that there might be different types. I only noticed they were different when I went to install the new rail.
Re: Three Different 500 Front Rails
Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 9:46 am
by JPG
Being a picky old curmudgen(sp?) here, but a 520 rail is not a 500 rail.
Re: Three Different 500 Front Rails
Posted: Fri May 27, 2022 11:21 am
by rlkeeney
JPG wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 9:46 am
Being a picky old curmudgen(sp?) here, but a 520 rail is not a 500 rail.
Fixed, Thanks.