Shopsmith Forums

I bought my 510 in Sept. of 08 and the guy at the fair told me the 510 was a great place to start, I just got an E-Mail with the offer to up-grade to the 520 for $340. and change and wanted to get some input from you guys .....Is this an up grade worth doing for someone who is just getting use to using his machine , and what is the most benefit of up-grading to the 520.

Welcome to the forum.

In my opinion, the upgrade is well worth the $340.00.

There are many 510 users who are very, very satisfied with the 510 so I believe this is a very personal decision. I have a 510 that has been upgraded. I am equally satisfied. I believe the new fence system is worth every penny of your cost to upgrade.

The details of the upgrade are covered here:

http://www.shopsmith.com/markvsite/purchaseNB.htm

The MARK V with Model 520 Pro Fence Table System starts with the same components as the Model 510 System above and delivers the same 98” rip capacity.
To this, it adds Adjustable Direct Reading Rip Scales that indicate ripping widths at a glance; new, more rigid extruded aluminum Work Table and Extension Table Rails with quick locking Knobs; and a different Rip Fence, featuring dual fast-acting Locking Levers (instead of one Lever and one Knob) and a T-Slot in each face, allowing the use of standard Shopsmith Featherboards as hold-downs.

Randy

I got my 510 around 1994 and have since upgraded to the 520 and have not regretted it. The fence and the rail system make it so much nicer in my opinion. Also the way the fence is made, it is much easier to mount jigs to it. If you do a search for 520 upgrade on this forum you will find many opinions. Some folks love their 510 and are content with them. To each their own. Also if you got an email offer to upgrade for $340, that's a deal as in the accessory catalog, the upgrade costs $425. Hope this helps with your decision.

I upgraded my 510 when the 520 package first came out. It corrected the only part of the 510 I didn't like..the fence. It's well worth the money to upgrade. I have also heard good things about the Jointech Saw Train.The SawTrain is a little pricey. If i were upgrading today I would give that a look too.

I bought my 510 - 520 during the last sale.
I was perfectly happy with the 510 but like any tool junkie ...... also as a comination of supporting SS and figuring I would get it not knowing what the future will hold.

Looking at the 520 fence at open house this past summer, thought it will be a good platform for possible future fixtures with all the t-slots.

I literally just finished installing and aligning it.
So put me in the group that recommends it.

I concure with all the statements above as the 520 fence and rail system is superior.. for quick alighments and "jig work" ...Only real draw back is the weight of the 520 fence, twice as heavy and the the double lockdown feature is sometimes bothersome.

Cost for this upgrade is really justified in how much ripping you intend to do as there is no other benifit to be had between the 510 and 520.

General ripping and crosscuts can be accomplished just fine without the 520 upgrade...

In actuality all you really gain is a few more "t" slots and quicker alignment of the rip fence itself.. so ask yourself if you need to upgrade.

Yes I upgraded my 510 to the 520 several years back and find the newer features nice but if I were to be honest with "myself" and for my needs, I wouldn't do it again! Just my opnion..

doug45601 wrote:I concure with all the statements above as the 520 fence and rail system is superior.. for quick alighments and "jig work" ...Only real draw back is the weight of the 520 fence, twice as heavy and the the double lockdown feature is sometimes bothersome.

Cost for this upgrade is really justified in how much ripping you intend to do as there is no other benifit to be had between the 510 and 520.

General ripping and crosscuts can be accomplished just fine without the 520 upgrade...

In actuality all you really gain is a few more "t" slots and quicker alignment of the rip fence itself.. so ask yourself if you need to upgrade.

Yes I upgraded my 510 to the 520 several years back and find the newer features nice but if I were to be honest with "myself" and for my needs, I wouldn't do it again! Just my opnion..

Doug45601 et al;

I have a full set of 510 rails (main/extension/floating both front and rear) that I will trade with anyone who is truly dissatisfied with their 510 to 520 upgrade. I will pay for shipping. I also have a 510 rip fence that can be negotiated.

Kinda figures that Dusty would have some follow up as the forum sacred cow

[quote="dusty"]Doug45601 et al]

I will even pay for packing and handling plus shipping both ways for anyone dissatified with the 520 upgrade and want to go back to the 510 upgrade. I have 510 upgrade kits including fence (sorry Dusty, I could not resist answering) available.

Since I have the room (normally) and a Craftsman 3HP 10" 7' table saw with an upgraded fence, I has gone back to using all Greenie (Gilmer Drive) Shopsmiths in my shop. The Greenies does an excellant job for all the functions I need and use. I use the Greenie headstocks for most of the MINIs and SHORTYs Shopsmiths I use and sell. I like the Greenies so well that I take Greenie headstocks and internal Gilmer Drive parts in trade on later Poly-V drive headstocks and internal Poly-V parts.

Might as well throw my $.02 in here.

I drive a 510 and am one of those completely satisfied with it. I truly have not had any big issues with the 510 fence, however there are quite a few folks that have had problems with it. Mine works perfectly well. NOTE:--I have yet to hear from anyone having a problem with a 520 fence.

There have been some problems in getting the 520 rails correctly aligned. It has been noted here (in the Forum) that once properly aligned the 520 rail and fence system are wonderful and can't be beat --unless you want to add one of those systems that can be tuned to the nearest .001".

If, one of these days, I come across a big Shopsmith Gift card, or come into some cash I don't need for something else, I will buy a 520 upgrade. Right now I'm awaiting a back order on a strip sander. After that is received, my shop is about as well equipped as needed. Barring breakdowns, the 520 upgrade is probably my next big purchase.