Saw Guard Help needed

[vzandt]

I am reviving a 1983 Mark V that had seen its better days. I got it in a big box and 2-3 5 gallon buckets. (one for assorted nuts/bolts and springs)
Anyway, the machine is now up and running and able to make sawdust; however, I have found that I do not have a full blade guard set. What I have appears to be an older (probably original) bottom guard that has a smaller dust port on the back and a larger newer looking bottom guard which fits with the sanding disk on. I have a top guard which is metal, but not "guts for it" and no knife to connect it to the lower guard. The other upper guard I have is way too big to be a shopsmith guard, I think. I believe it came off a standard table saw.
I guess the real question is what is my bet path to an end. The smaller guard works if I use the 1 1/4 original arbor and blade, but the 2 5/8 arbors are slightly long for it. The larger plastic one works with all blades and arbors, but it is too big around to get the table into position. I thought this was the lower guard I see currently on sale at shopmith.com, but I am now thinking it is specific to the sanding disk. Is there a sanding disk dust collector that looks like the newer lower guard just bigger? Should I buy a complete old style metal guard off ebay, or should I buy a new upper see through guard for the plastic lower. Have I missed something about getting the table on far enough to use the blade slot?
Thanks,
Scott

[nuhobby]

Hi,

If you get this sanding chute for the 500 & 12" disc...
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... tchute.htm
Then you'll note it has no clamp to grab a knife of any upper saw-guard. So it really is just for sanding.

If you choose from the following....
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... pgrade.htm
Then first note that very recently they were on sale, so try to get that sale price if you can, by talking nice to the people at Customer Service.
I can attest that they work perfectly with standard model-500 Saw Arbors. But I'm not sure if they work with longer dado/universal Arbors, which I guess potentially could hit either parts of the lower guards or the table tie-bar itself (?). To be honest I hocked my Dado system after I started using the Overarm Pin Router system.
These latest ones for the 500 have 2 dust ports, one which basically rides with the table height, and one which rides with the blade height. Depending on your setup, they have different respective "pulls" on the dust.

My personal opinion is to go for the best guard system you can afford. That could either be the 500 Upgrades, or the big-step conversion to 510/520systems. If you watch the online auctions long enough, you might find what you want. But they do pull top dollar.

Good luck!

[vzandt]

The larger plastic one I have is definitely not the Sanding Dust Collector pictured in the link. Mine has the gear like place where the know would go to mount a top guard. Problem with it is that it hits the mounting poles on the table before the table gets close enough to get the blade in the slot. I see a 500 upgrade guard which appears to use this lower guard, but I can't see how. If I can get away with just buying an upper guard and a couple pieces of moutning hardware, that wouldn't be nearly as bad as the whole guard system at nearly $200.

[nuhobby]

The larger plastic one I have is definitely not the Sanding Dust Collector pictured in the link. Mine has the gear like place where the know would go to mount a top guard. Problem with it is that it hits the mounting poles on the table before the table gets close enough to get the blade in the slot. I see a 500 upgrade guard which appears to use this lower guard, but I can't see how. If I can get away with just buying an upper guard and a couple pieces of moutning hardware, that wouldn't be nearly as bad as the whole guard system at nearly $200.

It does sound like you've got a mixed bag of old parts. The space under the 500 table is limited and it's pretty tight even fitting the 500-style 10" guard in there. Matter of fact the 500 upgrade involves hacksawing a small facet on one of the post/tie-bar castings under the table, to enable the lower guard to fit in close enough during the full span of table heights. It also involves tapping some holes on the rear-side tie-bar casting to install a dovetail mounting block for the plastic upper guard & knife.

I think the plastic chute (allowing 12" diameter disc or 10" blade) you have is only going to be usable on the 500 model as an edge dust collector for sanding.

The other system that is out there -- used -- is the metal lower & upper saw guards that was the earlier 500 system. In that case everything links together and rides on the Quill; nothing mounts directly to the table tie-bar. I suspect it's not originally as versatile since I've seen upgrades sold for it such as a piece of sheet-metal or aluminum insert that makes the whole thing wider (for dado blade, probably).

[michaeltoc]

The smaller guard works if I use the 1 1/4 original arbor and blade, but the 2 5/8 arbors are slightly long for it.

Sounds like you may have the model 510 arbors, which are longer than the 5/8" arbors for the 500

[JPG]

What model Mark V do you have? Describe the table(size, rails(round/square)).

pix of table, guards, arbors would be very helpful.

[vzandt]

Here are a few shots of the finished project. I was particularly happy with the results on the accessory tables. These were REALY ugly when I got them and after cleaning, and even walnut blasting one, the didn't look too much better. I decided to try a coat of hammer finish paint on them and it worked like a charm. Once they cured I waxed them with paste wax just for that little extra slip. Anyway, you can see the assortment of guard parts I have left after discarding the obviously wrong upper that was bigger that the whole rest of the tables combined. Also, you can see the arbors I have. I believe them to be a standard 1 1/4, 2 X 5/8, 1 X 1/2 Router, and a 1/2 Shaper arbor. Right? I guess this is as good as any time to ask, what order all these spacers/washers go on the arbors?

[vzandt]

A couple last pictures

[8iowa]

I agree with Chris, upgrade to the latest and best upper and lower saw guards. Also get a set of the new thin kerf carbide blades, this improves performance greatly.

You've done a fantastic job of bringing this old 500 "back to life". It will give you many years of enjoyment and usefulness.

Shame on who-ever it was that let this machine become so deteriorated.

[beeg]

Hey it looks GOOD now, ya got any BEFORE pics?