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Although my main 520 work table is aligned with the saw blade, it is not level side to side. The back right corner is up slightly so that side of the table does not line up evenly with the stationary table or a floating table. The fence catches on the uneven space between the tables. I aligned all of the side rails again with the rail install guages to be sure that wasn't part of the problem.

What is/are the best way(s) to align the main work table side to side? Do I need shims, etc. Is there a previous forum discussion about this or a video segment on this. I searched both but didn't find this specific topic.

jmilligan wrote:Although my main 520 work table is aligned with the saw blade, it is not level side to side. The back right corner is up slightly so that side of the table does not line up evenly with the stationary table or a floating table. The fence catches on the uneven space between the tables. I aligned all of the side rails again with the rail install guages to be sure that wasn't part of the problem.

What is/are the best way(s) to align the main work table side to side? Do I need shims, etc. Is there a previous forum discussion about this or a video segment on this. I searched both but didn't find this specific topic.

After aligning the main table, don't make any changes to the main table or the rails on the main table.

Position the Carriage so that the extension table AND the main table can be tied together using the short tubes. Loosen the nuts on the four studs that secure the extension table to the extension table base.

Lock the carriage lock and the headstock lock (even though the headstock is not involved right now. Secure the tubes to the rails. Clamp a level(s) across the main table and the extension table. I use two four foot levels when I do this. One at the in feed edge of the table, the other at the out feed edge. Now secure the 8 nuts on the four studs, FINGER TIGHT. This should position the table tops so that they are perfectly level.

If it does not, loosen the offending rail (from the table). Now by repositioning the table with respect to the rail(s), you should be able to resolve the problem. When everything aligns, securely tighten all the nuts and screws that were loosened and you should be done.

I hope this helps.

beeg wrote:Look at the bottom of this page and see if any of those 3 links help.

What links, where?

JPG40504 wrote:What links, where?

Bob is talking about the links listed below about similar threads. Scroll down.

FYI, You also may want to review Sawdust Session #22 (Topic #2) for more info on verifying side-to-side and front-to-back table alignment.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm

John McCrossen

jmilligan wrote:Although my main 520 work table is aligned with the saw blade, it is not level side to side. The back right corner is up slightly so that side of the table does not line up evenly with the stationary table or a floating table. The fence catches on the uneven space between the tables. I aligned all of the side rails again with the rail install guages to be sure that wasn't part of the problem.

What is/are the best way(s) to align the main work table side to side? Do I need shims, etc. Is there a previous forum discussion about this or a video segment on this. I searched both but didn't find this specific topic.

The table may not be flat. I'd check that first (it's also the easiset thing to check).