Model 500 Main Table Alignment

[cousinwill]

My problem is that the main work table is not level on my 47 year old shopsmith. I inherited it several years ago and have mostly used the lathe until recently when I needed to use the table saw. The left side of the table is approx.. 1/8 of an inch lower than the right side. The front to back is a little off but nothing like the side to side. I am not sure what to do or what can be done to correct this problem. On the bottom side of the table there are 4 screws, I loosen them but there is not enough play to correct the alignment problem. I would appreciate any help or advise !!

[JPG40504]

My problem is that the main work table is not level on my 47 year old shopsmith. I inherited it several years ago and have mostly used the lathe until recently when I needed to use the table saw. The left side of the table is approx.. 1/8 of an inch lower than the right side. The front to back is a little off but nothing like the side to side. I am not sure what to do or what can be done to correct this problem. On the bottom side of the table there are 4 screws, I loosen them but there is not enough play to correct the alignment problem. I would appreciate any help or advise !!
1) Is the top of the table 'flat'?

2)Assuming it is flat, the following must be understood.

3)The four screws attaching the table to the trunion may be loosened to allow aligning the miter slots parallel to the blade(front to rear).

4) The 'front to rear' height is only adjustable by shimming under the bolts.

5) The side to side 'height' is relevant only as to its being at a 90 degree angle to the blade(when the trunion is set to 'zero' degrees).

6)Everything is adjusted to the saw blade(and therefore to the quill shaft).

7)The front to rear 'height' is only relevant when used as a drill press or for horizontal boring.



Have you ever 'aligned' the table???

[dusty]

cousinwill, welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place. We can have that puppy fine tuned for you in no time.

You have a couple things that need to be dealt with.

1. First you have loosened the trunnion bolts so table alignment (miter track) to the blade is important.
2. You started with the main table out of alignment height wise (not level).
3. You seem to have insufficient movement of the table to achieve alignment.

To deal with most of this, I suggest that you first review the data that is available to you in the Sawdust Sessions. Then in separate input, we deal with the insufficient movement of the table.

The Sawdust Sessions can be viewed by going here (http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Sawdust_Sessions.htmhttp://).

This (http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS101/SS101_Index.htm) is the one that deals specifically with table alignments.

After browsing around in those videos, you might want to search through the forum threads for information about the trunnion. It seems that some tables were built with trunnion bolt holes that were too small to allow sufficient movement. You may have one of those.

This thread (http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthread.htm?t=1769&highlight=trunnion) discusses that problem and offers a solution.

If these are insufficient to help you resolve your problem, come back. If it does solve your problem, come back anyway. Good Luck