Shopsmith Forums

This is the post that fits in the mortise hold down. Isn't this supposed to thread on? This is as far as it goes. I just got it today. This issue as far as it goes....amazing I supposed to be expected to rethread it?
Sorry if this sounds stupid.

Thanks

Yes the post should screw in until it is about 1/8" from the top of the t-nut as seen in this photo:
At this point it is about flush with the bottom of the t-nut.
Also note the thickness of the washer, the one you have there looks like a standard thickness which will not work.

Do you have other t-nuts to try? It could be that this one is not made correctly? You can also try a nut on the hold down, they are standard 3/8-16 threads.

Ed

This nut is for the hold down. The washer is the one SS sells for this purpose.

So it appears I was sent bad parts? Or at least a bad part being the nut?

From what you have said it could be the t-nut is bad or the hold down rod or even the remote possibility of them both being wrong. With out some way of testing you will not know. If you have a 3/8-16 nut see if it fits the hold down rod, like wise a 3/8-16 bolt can be used to test the t-nut. If you don't have access to them then a trip to the hardware can solve that and then you will know which one is bad.

On the washer, what you see is also from shopsmith but a while ago. They may have discontinued the thicker washer but if so then you need a stack of the washers to take up that space. The stack needs to be more then 1/8" thick to function correctly. While at the hardware pick up a few washers they will be cheaper then getting them from shopsmith.

My guess is that it will take either 3 or 4 washers but if you wish I can check that tomorrow.

Ed

ibskot wrote:This nut is for the hold down. The washer is the one SS sells for this purpose.

So it appears I was sent bad parts? Or at least a bad part being the nut?

Talked to SS today and they are gonna send me a new washer and t nut. My premium casters are still on back order.

ibskot wrote:Talked to SS today and they are gonna send me a new washer and t nut. My premium casters are still on back order.

Whatca gonna do with the "bad" t nut? I be curious what makes it "bad".

ibskot wrote:Talked to SS today and they are gonna send me a new washer and t nut. My premium casters are still on back order.

Sorry about the casters...but, I am not at all surprised by the status report.

If you find that a new t-nut solves the problem, just run a tap (proper size of course) through the hole and you'll have one more t-nut than you planned.

Someone suggested that you screw a bolt into the hole to verify that the problem was the t-nut and not the threaded post. What happened when you did that?

If you don't have a bolt that size and don't want to buy one just stick the t-nut in your pocket and take a "test trip" to the nearest hardware store. You are safe doing this! There is no way that you will be accused of "shop lifting" a Shopsmith t-nut.

I didn't do it. Why? Time to go get a proper bolt and time to check. I do things when I can and when I think of it. What is the probability of the threaded post being wrong? Much lower then the nut. A non forum SS friend showed me 3 different ones...at least a pic. I am confident this will fix and especially since the washer included wouldn't fit the slot at all.

Thanks a lot for the assistance folks.

I didn't do it. Why? Time to go get a proper bolt and time to check. I do things when I can and when I think of it. What is the probability of the threaded post being wrong? Much lower then the nut. A non forum SS friend showed me 3 different ones...at least a pic. I am confident this will fix and especially since the washer included wouldn't fit the slot at all.

Thanks a lot for the assistance folks.

ibskot wrote:I didn't do it. Why? Time to go get a proper bolt and time to check. I do things when I can and when I think of it. What is the probability of the threaded post being wrong? Much lower then the nut. A non forum SS friend showed me 3 different ones...at least a pic. I am confident this will fix and especially since the washer included wouldn't fit the slot at all.

Thanks a lot for the assistance folks.

Good Luck

I would have bet on the exposed threads on the post unless you have a t-nut that was not threaded at all.