The slipping safety grip

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Tue May 25, 2010 10:20 am

I have had the problem of having to continuously retighten and adjust the newer style safety miter, the older one with the threaded rod is of course fine.

I did a search in the forums and found I was not alone. It occurred to me that filing a flat on one side of the vertical bar would provide more surface area for the adjusting screw, and provide better holding.

Has anyone tried this? Did it help?

If no one has done this before, I'll go ahead with my experiment. I figure the flat needs to be deep enough to prevent the post from spinning when the knob is loosened, but shallow enough to preserve sufficient strength and stability.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue May 25, 2010 12:09 pm

paulrussell wrote:I have had the problem of having to continuously retighten and adjust the newer style safety miter, the older one with the threaded rod is of course fine.

I did a search in the forums and found I was not alone. It occurred to me that filing a flat on one side of the vertical bar would provide more surface area for the adjusting screw, and provide better holding.

Has anyone tried this? Did it help?

If no one has done this before, I'll go ahead with my experiment. I figure the flat needs to be deep enough to prevent the post from spinning when the knob is loosened, but shallow enough to preserve sufficient strength and stability.

B4 putting a 'flat' on the rod, check the profile of the screw that clamps onto it. The two that I have have a ridge created by the threading process. Me thinks a flat(square) end would clamp more gooder! I have not used them much so I have not experienced the 'slipping' problem.

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Tue May 25, 2010 1:01 pm

JPG40504 wrote:B4 putting a 'flat' on the rod, check the profile of the screw that clamps onto it. The two that I have have a ridge created by the threading process. Me thinks a flat(square) end would clamp more gooder! I have not used them much so I have not experienced the 'slipping' problem.

I'll take a good look before doing any major surgery.

Speaking of which -- my dad gave me a box of old tools, and in that box was a very new looking 3/4" bit of some sort. It if four-fluted and has a 1/2 fluted center section that can turn 1/8th of a turn or so with relation to the outer flutes. The drive spindle does not engage the cutters until the center section is depressed into the outer by about 3/16".

I called him to ask what the heck it is and he said he got it from a friend in the medical business, and it is designed for brain surgery. It is a skull bore.
When it cuts through, the center is no longer mates with the drive, and it stops cutting so you don't start mixing up the grey matter.

It is really interesting. I'm gonna try it out later. Should I use horizontal boring mode, or regular drill press? (The tough part is gonna be holding my head still while reaching for the quill feed.)

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue May 25, 2010 1:52 pm

Go with the drill press mode. I wood think it wood be more comfortable.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Tue May 25, 2010 3:30 pm

I'd go with horizontal mode. With your 520 upgrade, you can put the headstock all the way to the left and, with the extension and floating tables, have a nice little bed to lay on. Tie a rope to the quill handle so you can pull it without having to stretch and reach for it.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue May 25, 2010 5:37 pm

heathicus wrote:I'd go with horizontal mode. With your 520 upgrade, you can put the headstock all the way to the left and, with the extension and floating tables, have a nice little bed to lay on. Tie a rope to the quill handle so you can pull it without having to stretch and reach for it.

And 'BP' thinks they have a problem!:rolleyes:

mikelst · Post by **mikelst** » Tue May 25, 2010 10:30 pm

you guys are sick....

I love it...

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Wed May 26, 2010 12:53 am

heathicus wrote:I'd go with horizontal mode. With your 520 upgrade, you can put the headstock all the way to the left and, with the extension and floating tables, have a nice little bed to lay on. Tie a rope to the quill handle so you can pull it without having to stretch and reach for it.

He he he he he.

wannabewoodworker · Post by **wannabewoodworker** » Wed May 26, 2010 8:54 am

I think in drill press mode with the headstock all the way at the top and the table all the way at the bottom it might act like a seat and you could sit down on it and then reach up and use the quill feed handle to BORE your brains out...............

mmorris · Post by **mmorris** » Wed May 26, 2010 9:03 am

I'd vote for horizontal; this is how ShopSmith got the name "headstock":). I think your butt would mount on the "tailstock".