Stop Collars - the accessory I should have bought years ago

[algale]

I was inspired by the Shopsmith free-shipping on cyber Monday to finally buy some extra stop collars. These are the simple ones like you find on your tail stock, not the adjustable ones (I own one of those as well.

Long time forum members have been singing the praises and uses of these for years but I never got around to buying them because they seemed pretty boring.

I put one stop collar on each leg of the main table and one on each leg of my extension table of my 520. It may be overkill to have a stop collar on each leg, but that's what I did.

I've always found it fussy to use the extension table with the main table. The bores for the extension table legs have some play, so one end or the other of the table can sag slightly (and the table can pitch left or right slightly) until clamped. Thus, when the front edge of the extension table is level to the main table, the rear edge of the extension table isn't necessarily dead level with the main table. Normally, I use two levels simultaneously and futz with the extension table until both side are level to the main table, holding the table with one hand while I tighten the clamp. With the stop collars now installed and adjusted it's just drop the main table in, drop the extension table in, tighten the clamps and everything is dead on. No fuss, no muss.

Count me among the converted. I should have bought these a long time ago. I can see they will make my most common sawing operations much easier to set up.

[edflorence]

100% in agreement...they are extremely useful. And, when combined with feeler gauges, can in some situations also be used to make precise adjustments almost as easily as the adjustable collar. Which I also own...

[algale]

100% in agreement...they are extremely useful. And, when combined with feeler gauges, can in some situations also be used to make precise adjustments almost as easily as the adjustable collar. Which I also own...

Good idea. I have some metal automotive body shims from Horrible Freight that should play well. Otherwise I'll make some wood shims.

[edma194]

In a pinch you can make a stop collar from a 1/2" long piece of PVC pipe and a band clamp.

[CreekWood]

In a pinch you can make a stop collar from a 1/2" long piece of PVC pipe and a band clamp.

If you took two of these improvised stop collars, but cut from one scrap of PVC at a sight angle, would you have an adjustable stop collar?

And with this discussion, I'm realizing I missed a free shipping opportunity. I did grab a band saw bearing upgrade, though.

[edma194]

If you took two of these improvised stop collars, but cut from one scrap of PVC at a sight angle, would you have an adjustable stop collar?

You have some sort of adjustable collar but I think just one collar with a set of auto shims will do the job better.

[pngeezer]

100% in agreement...they are extremely useful. And, when combined with feeler gauges, can in some situations also be used to make precise adjustments almost as easily as the adjustable collar. Which I also own...

Great tip about using a feeler gauge!! I’m making new kitchen cabinet doors and really having trouble getting the thickness of the tenons cut consistently. When I saw your tip I tried it today and it really works great! I do have an adjustable stop collar coming but this is a big help.

Thanks, Jim

[SteveMaryland]

I understand why we would want to use stop collars in pairs - to prevent cocking of the table due to slop - of which a Shopsmith has plenty.

So I also recently bought a few extra stop collars (PN 501439) from Shopsmith. They arrived yesterday. To my chagrin, these collars are missing setscrews.

How do you like that, selling a setscrew collar without the setscrew! I guess I "forgot" to buy the setscrews from Shopsmith also, shame on me...

Yes, I now see that the setscrew itself (item 292, PN 222458) is listed separately, but sheesh...

The thread is 5/16-18. Another trip to the bigbox.

[dusty]

I can understand selling the set screws as a separate item ...BUT...selling the stop collar without the set screw is a different matter and especially at the price SS has on items like set screws ($3.99 each). I would be on the phone to customer service immediately.

[algale]

I understand why we would want to use stop collars in pairs - to prevent cocking of the table due to slop - of which a Shopsmith has plenty.

So I also recently bought a few extra stop collars (PN 501439) from Shopsmith. They arrived yesterday. To my chagrin, these collars are missing setscrews.

How do you like that, selling a setscrew collar without the setscrew! I guess I "forgot" to buy the setscrews from Shopsmith also, shame on me...

Yes, I now see that the setscrew itself (item 292, PN 222458) is listed separately, but sheesh...

The thread is 5/16-18. Another trip to the bigbox.

My recent purchase come with the set screws. I believe this is probably just an unfortunate oversight on their part. Agree with dusty -- call customer service.