520 fence lock adjustment

[Bruce]

I just installed my 520 fence upgrade and noticed that in the instructions there is no mention of how to adjust the tension on the fence locks. The front lock seems very tight and the rear lock kind of loose on mine. Is that normal? I don't want the fence to move on me but the front lock (lower handle) is so tight that it lifts the rear of the fence off the table a bit when I lock it. Has anyone seen instructions on how the locks should be adjusted?

[dusty]

I looked through all of the paper work that I received with my upgrade kit and there are no instructions (that I have found) for adjusting the tension on the fence locks.

When I first got my fence, it worked great and didn't need adjustment. Them about two weeks ago, the lower lock got so stiff I couldn't lock it all the way.

I blew out the dust, wiped the cams clean with a swab on a stick and they were still stiff. I then got out the wrenches and loosened the two nuts on the outfeed end of the fence.

Starting with the lower nut, which I believe is associated with fence alignment, I tightened it until the locking lever felt like I wanted it. Then I adjusted the upper nut the same way. Once the upper locking lever felt like I wanted it, I check to make certain that the fence was secured so that it would NOT move laterally under pressure from the side of the fence.

I'm not prepared to offer this as an approved procedure but it worked for me.

p.s. I used a little wax on the locking cams (under the levers) also. This might be a no no.

[Bruce]

Let me just say that I am not at all displeased with the upgrade, so don't let my little problem with fence adjustment steer you away from upgrading. I am sure that there is a way to adjust the cams and I will do just that. And I'm also sure that Shopsmith will see these comments and address them with updated instructions. They haven't let me down yet. What came with the upgrade was an installation guide. Perhaps there is a maintenance and adjustment guide that for some reason did not make it in to my package.

[Bruce]

I got the lock adjusted with no problems. I also love the rip fence scale. I know some of you don't want to trust it, but I have used it and so far it is very accurate. I will still check it once in a while to be sure I haven't bumped it out of alignment.