Shopsmith Forums

I've owned a Mark V for a long time, and upgraded the original 1958 machine with a new headstock (c. 1985), newer style ripfence/sawguards, etc. I use a self-made sled to crosscut - works a treat. But ripping is another matter.

I don't do a lot of ripping on this machine as I've never been able to find a way to get the rip fence to lock down parallel to the blade. No matter what I do, when I tighten the fence handle and lock down the lever, the fence is NEVER even close to being parallel to the blade.

I went to a SS travelling academy a number of years ago, and brought in my fence. The SS staffer running the sessions advised me to remove the two adjustment setscrews from the sides of the fence base. I did that, but still the fence never locked in a parallel position.

What am I missing?

TIA for your collective wisdom!

sawdust271 wrote:I've owned a Mark V for a long time, and upgraded the original 1958 machine with a new headstock (c. 1985), newer style ripfence/sawguards, etc. I use a self-made sled to crosscut - works a treat. But ripping is another matter.

I don't do a lot of ripping on this machine as I've never been able to find a way to get the rip fence to lock down parallel to the blade. No matter what I do, when I tighten the fence handle and lock down the lever, the fence is NEVER even close to being parallel to the blade.

I went to a SS travelling academy a number of years ago, and brought in my fence. The SS staffer running the sessions advised me to remove the two adjustment setscrews from the sides of the fence base. I did that, but still the fence never locked in a parallel position.

What am I missing?

TIA for your collective wisdom!

The two 'adjustment set screws' are not intended to align the fence to the blade. They are to allow intentional mis-alignment for operations requiring it(using the flat sanding disk for thickness sanding). They must be backed away from any possibility of contacting the front of the table otherwise. Removing them will assure that.

The actual alignment is accomplished by loosening the two(see last paragraph) screws which attach the casting that rides along the front of the table to the fence itself. This allows rotating the casting relative to the sides of the fence.

Loosen the screws, barely snug them up, mount on the table and align the fence to the miter gauge slots(you have aligned them to the blade have you not?). The clamp should be tightened enough to seat the casting against the table front, but not so tight as to secure the rear clamp. You should be able to nudge the fence so as to align it with the miter gauge slot. Once it is aligned, tighten further so as to seat the rear clamp. Then tighten incrementally and alternately the two screws securing the front casting to the fence. Remove the fence from the table, remount it and check for proper alignment. Repeat if not now correctly aligned, and make sure it doesn't move when tightening the screws.

Since the miter gauge slots are aligned to the blade, the fence will now also be so aligned!


Did I mention the miter gauge slots MUST be properly adjusted parallel to the blade first!!!

If you have a board that has been sanded down to snugly fit into the miter gauge slot it can aid the alignment. Loosen the screws, mount fence to table pull the sides of the fence tightly against the board(already inserted in the miter gauge slot), THEN tighten the clamp and finally tighten the screws.

If by 'upgrading the fence' you are referring to the 500 fence with a t-slot on top, a long black handle knob that tightens the front clamp and a lever that seats the rear clamp, alter the above - Four screws not two, The rear clamp is independent.

Thanks for your suggestions! I reset the fence last night per your instructions. I am still looking it over, as there seems to be a very small gap between the fence and the table at the front (i.e. closer to the locking handle) end. It's as if the front end is not quite flat on the table.

I'll have another go tonight.

sawdust271 wrote:Thanks for your suggestions! I reset the fence last night per your instructions. I am still looking it over, as there seems to be a very small gap between the fence and the table at the front (i.e. closer to the locking handle) end. It's as if the front end is not quite flat on the table.

I'll have another go tonight.

That appears to be 'normal'. The rear end does ride the table top.