Questions about my old 1955 Greenie

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gatownsend
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Questions about my old 1955 Greenie

Post by gatownsend »

I posted recently about a 1955 Greenie (serial #290705) I inherited from my Dad. I'm looking to upgrade/add to the table saw, and I want to be sure what I get will work. Is this unit I have considered a Mark V 500? I called customer service to ask whether the items I was looking to purchase would work on my machine, and I wasn't convinced I got the right answer (the person I spoke with never gave me a definitive 'yes').

The items I'm interested in purchasing are:
  • 505875 MARK V 500 Upper & Lower Saw Guard (there are no guards at all on my machine other than a dust collector my Dad made out of wood)
  • 555084 Model 500 Extention Table Upgrade
  • 505626 Front Table Extension
  • 555306 MARK V Support Table -- For Model 500
  • 555646 Model 500 Rip Fence Upgrade (maybe down the road - don't need it yet)
The table on my machine is woefully small (14" x 18.25"), and I just about passed out when I saw the price of the Model 510 table system upgrade. I would really like to get guards first of all - I've seen what this thing can do when it kicks a piece of wood back.

My plan is to watch for some of these on eBay and pick them up used if I can. The saw guards are on sale for another day or two, but I want to be sure I'm getting the right parts before I order anything.

Thanks for any assistance!

Best regards,

Gary
jimthej
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Safety upgrade

Post by jimthej »

The part you need is here. it requires some crareful drilling and some sort of careful cutting, but works very well. If you can't afford the entire table, this is an important step. I used one for about 3 years.
Jim in Bakersfield:D
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fiatben
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I've got a '55 greenie too

Post by fiatben »

Unless you are going to be cutting large sheets or really big boards or trying to trim up a door (like I did recently), you may find the table isn't really too small. Especially with the extension table and good shop-made jigs. But then, I've never had a larger table so I guess I'm not missing what I've never had. :p

Congrats on inheriting the '55. I love my greenie.
'55 Greenie #292284 (Mar-55), '89 SS 510 #020989, Mark VII #408551 (sold 10/14/12), SS Band Saw, (SS 500 #36063 (May-79) now gone to son-in-law as of 11-11), Magna bandsaw, Magna jointer 16185 (May-54), Magna belt sander SS28712 (Dec-82), Magna jigsaw SS4397 (Dec-78), SS biscuit joiner, Zyliss (knockoff) vise, 20+ hand planes, 60s Craftsman tablesaw, CarbaTec mini-lathe, and the usual pile of tools. Hermit of the Hills Woodworks, a hillbilly in the foothills of the Ozarks, scraping by.
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JPG
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Post by JPG »

gatownsend wrote:I posted recently about a 1955 Greenie (serial #290705) I inherited from my Dad. I'm looking to upgrade/add to the table saw, and I want to be sure what I get will work. Is this unit I have considered a Mark V 500? I called customer service to ask whether the items I was looking to purchase would work on my machine, and I wasn't convinced I got the right answer (the person I spoke with never gave me a definitive 'yes').

The items I'm interested in purchasing are:
  • 505875 MARK V 500 Upper & Lower Saw Guard (there are no guards at all on my machine other than a dust collector my Dad made out of wood) I believe YES (note drilling/tapping required)
  • 555084 Model 500 Extention Table Upgrade YES
  • 505626 Front Table Extension Possible problem(front rail different)
  • 555306 MARK V Support Table -- For Model 500 YES
  • 555646 Model 500 Rip Fence Upgrade (maybe down the road - don't need it yet) Yes
The table on my machine is woefully small (14" x 18.25"), and I just about passed out when I saw the price of the Model 510 table system upgrade. I would really like to get guards first of all - I've seen what this thing can do when it kicks a piece of wood back. Proper alignment and proper procedure will minimize kick back.

My plan is to watch for some of these on eBay and pick them up used if I can. The saw guards are on sale for another day or two, but I want to be sure I'm getting the right parts before I order anything.

Thanks for any assistance!

Best regards,

Gary

The Greenie table has a cast in front rail that the fence clamps to. The profile is different and the OLDER front table extension will not fit correctly on the newer extruded rails. The new table extension will work with either version. I believe the new fence will work correctly.

EDIT: Corrected statement re front table extension fitting table rails. Only the older version extension is a 'problem'.
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╟JPG ╢
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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RobertTaylor
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Post by RobertTaylor »

if you are planning to upgrade to a 510, the 500 saw guards will not fit. you should decide before acquiring the guards.
Bob
1954 greenie, 1963 anniversary edition now a mini,
1984 500, 1985 510, 1987 510, pro-planer, bandsaw, dust collector
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gatownsend
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Post by gatownsend »

jimthej wrote:The part you need is here. it requires some crareful drilling and some sort of careful cutting, but works very well. If you can't afford the entire table, this is an important step. I used one for about 3 years.
I noticed the "Some drilling and Tie Bar modification required." note on that item. Do you know exactly what I would need to drill? I would just like to know what I'm getting into before I jump.

Thanks,

Gary
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JPG
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Post by JPG »

gatownsend wrote:I noticed the "Some drilling and Tie Bar modification required." note on that item. Do you know exactly what I would need to drill? I would just like to know what I'm getting into before I jump.

Thanks,

Gary

At least a couple of small tapped holes in the trunion to secure the baffle on the side away from the headstock.
╔═══╗
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝

Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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SDSSmith
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Post by SDSSmith »

JPG40504 wrote:The Greenie table has a cast in front rail that the fence clamps to. The profile is different and I believe the new(current) version front table extension will not fit correctly. I believe the new fence will work correctly.
FWIW, the new style front table extension works with all versions of the model 500 tables (cast rails and extruded rails). It is the older style front table extension that needs to be modified to work on the newer style tables.
Rob in San Diego
Email: SDSSmith51 AT gmail.com
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JPG
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Post by JPG »

SDSSmith wrote:FWIW, the new style front table extension works with all versions of the model 500 tables (cast rails and extruded rails). It is the older style front table extension that needs to be modified to work on the newer style tables.

Thank YOU for that clarification!!! I did not fully understand the 'problem' since the 'new' version does fit the narrow (cast in) extension table.

My post above has been corrected!(#4)
╔═══╗
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝

Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
jimthej
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Saw Guards

Post by jimthej »

gatownsend wrote:I noticed the "Some drilling and Tie Bar modification required." note on that item. Do you know exactly what I would need to drill? I would just like to know what I'm getting into before I jump.

Thanks,

Gary
Templates come with the kit. My problem was drilling the holes on the back side of the casting at the top of the rear leg of the table. IIRC the top hole is easier because the boss is flat. The lower hole is very difficult to get right as it is on a curved surface in a different plane than the top hole.
The secret to quick setup after install is to take a piece of scrap about 3" x18". Before mounting anything, make a line lengthwise down the center of the scrap. Make a saw cut about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way down this line with the widest blade you have. After mounting everything, slide this jig down the blade to align the splitter, which adjusts side to side in a dovetail in the rear mounting block.
Jim in Bakersfield:D
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