Model 500 extension table on studs
Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 5:06 pm
Now that I have a vested interest in the 500 version again you will be seeing a few related posts. This is nothing new but still with new people coming here all the time it could be we have some that have missed this before... and besides this one is with pictures.
The extension table for the 500 uses spacers to get it lined up with the main table. You add/remove washers until you get it right. Do some adjusting to the main table and it is back to the extension table to align it again. Since the spacer/washers only come in certain thickness it can become difficult to get it "perfect".
When shopsmith introduced the 505/510 models they went with a new system using studs mounted in the extension table and a system of nuts and washers for a better alignment experence. Not wanted to be left behind it was clear that this system could be adapted to the 500 and adapt we did. Well some of us anyhow.
When I upgraded my 500 to a 520 I stuck some of the old 500 parts in a box and figured maybe some day I'd part with it but being the saver I am that was never going to happen. So not tooooo long ago I decided to put together a 500 for the shop and collected what I needed to fill out the rest of the parts to get one running again. Then I decided to get another shopsmith to take up to the UP of MI so I could get some hours in while we were up there.
Now I'm trying to get some jig/fixtures and updates done for the two machines. This update is the the one in the UP, it came with the original narrow extension table. I have a spare wide table so the plan was to get it updated to the studs and take it along on the next trip.
Now on with the project.
In this first image you see the table top and "legs" after then have been separated. (In my case this happen a few years ago and the spacer/washers have since vanished in to a drawer so they are not pictured).
[ATTACH]9933[/ATTACH]
In better times I would have purchased studs but at a couple of $$ per each 3/8"-16 x 3" stud I opted to cut a threaded bar. A 3 foot section of threaded rod was about $4.50ish and you can get the 4 you need and and still pay less then four studs would cost and have material left for another project.
In this next picture you can see the 4 studs with two hex nuts in a jam nut configuration. As a bonus I'll show you how I cut the studs to length later in the thread.
[ATTACH]9934[/ATTACH]
Putting the studs in is not a big deal as long as you have used a grinder/file/tool you like to use to clean up the threads where they were cut. I like to do it at a grinder and then follow up with a wire brush to make sure all the little wire bits are removed. In this photo you can see it just threads in until you can't get it any farther with your fingers.
[ATTACH]9935[/ATTACH]
To go the rest of the way you simple use a wrench on the top jam nut and snug up. I don't try to get it too tight as I always use a washer and nut to lock it in place anyway.
[ATTACH]9936[/ATTACH]
Un-jam the nuts and remove them. When all 4 are done you are ready to to do a bunch of fun stuff with the remaining parts.
[ATTACH]9937[/ATTACH]
We now go to the next post to see about that fun....
Ed
The extension table for the 500 uses spacers to get it lined up with the main table. You add/remove washers until you get it right. Do some adjusting to the main table and it is back to the extension table to align it again. Since the spacer/washers only come in certain thickness it can become difficult to get it "perfect".
When shopsmith introduced the 505/510 models they went with a new system using studs mounted in the extension table and a system of nuts and washers for a better alignment experence. Not wanted to be left behind it was clear that this system could be adapted to the 500 and adapt we did. Well some of us anyhow.
When I upgraded my 500 to a 520 I stuck some of the old 500 parts in a box and figured maybe some day I'd part with it but being the saver I am that was never going to happen. So not tooooo long ago I decided to put together a 500 for the shop and collected what I needed to fill out the rest of the parts to get one running again. Then I decided to get another shopsmith to take up to the UP of MI so I could get some hours in while we were up there.
Now I'm trying to get some jig/fixtures and updates done for the two machines. This update is the the one in the UP, it came with the original narrow extension table. I have a spare wide table so the plan was to get it updated to the studs and take it along on the next trip.
Now on with the project.
In this first image you see the table top and "legs" after then have been separated. (In my case this happen a few years ago and the spacer/washers have since vanished in to a drawer so they are not pictured).
[ATTACH]9933[/ATTACH]
In better times I would have purchased studs but at a couple of $$ per each 3/8"-16 x 3" stud I opted to cut a threaded bar. A 3 foot section of threaded rod was about $4.50ish and you can get the 4 you need and and still pay less then four studs would cost and have material left for another project.
In this next picture you can see the 4 studs with two hex nuts in a jam nut configuration. As a bonus I'll show you how I cut the studs to length later in the thread.
[ATTACH]9934[/ATTACH]
Putting the studs in is not a big deal as long as you have used a grinder/file/tool you like to use to clean up the threads where they were cut. I like to do it at a grinder and then follow up with a wire brush to make sure all the little wire bits are removed. In this photo you can see it just threads in until you can't get it any farther with your fingers.
[ATTACH]9935[/ATTACH]
To go the rest of the way you simple use a wrench on the top jam nut and snug up. I don't try to get it too tight as I always use a washer and nut to lock it in place anyway.
[ATTACH]9936[/ATTACH]
Un-jam the nuts and remove them. When all 4 are done you are ready to to do a bunch of fun stuff with the remaining parts.
[ATTACH]9937[/ATTACH]
We now go to the next post to see about that fun....
Ed