Can You Change the Position of the Headstock Lock Wing Nut?

[robinson46176]

OK, I'm not really obsessed with Mark VII's. It's just that stuff keeps coming up and I happen to be working on mine lately...

One of the down sides to the Mark VII is that the lock knobs are all pretty sharp edged and pointy. I prefer to keep it kind of original and don't want to cut them down but I have said ouch a time or two from banging the back of my hand on the points. I assume that the pointy locks were to look rocket like. It was such a time...

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[mountainbreeze]

However, I just changed the position at which mine lock. I did this by unlockimg the wedges completely. I then grasp the locking handle and pulled it toward me and then pushed it away (three or four times). This alternately engages and releases the wedges from contact with the tubes.

When I locked the headstock, it now becomes secure at 3:00/9:00. I have no explanation - just observation.

I tried this (several times) and it did not work for me. Still tightens in the 10:00 / 4:00 position.

[JPG]

I tried this (several times) and it did not work for me. Still tightens in the 10:00 / 4:00 position.

Go back to post 4.

[dusty]

I tried this (several times) and it did not work for me. Still tightens in the 10:00 / 4:00 position.

Bill: It did not work for me either. The first time I had to go vertical the extra weight was too much. I had to tighten down on the lock thus changing the position.

I suspect that the only reliable way to change this is to install new wedges and even then it is a matter of chance. Then, even if that would work, it is only a matter of time and the wedges will be back to what they are now.

Truthfully, I don't know if this condition has changed over time or not. I simply do not know where the lock was positioned when the machine was new.

[JPG]

Methinks it is time to give up on a quick and dirty simple easy 'fix' and get out a pin punch, hammer, and file. 20/1000 is not very much to remove. Getting it flat will probably do at least that much.

Do pay attention to how the wedges are repositioned on the threaded rod.

[trainguytom]

I went down to the shop & looked at my machines & note that I don't have an issue with the tube lock levers, (thanks goodness) but an earlier post mentioned cutting off the ends (wings) of the lever & judging from the amount of leverage I was able to put on the lever without using the end 1/2" to 3/4" of each wing (and I don't consider that I'm any stronger than the next guy) That seems to be a simple solution to the issue. At the very least, how about rounding off the levers?

[shipwright]

After reading the last few posts I started to doubt what I had done yesterday so I just went out to the shop and cranked the wing as tight as she goes. No problem, still well out of the way. Maybe I'm just lucky. anyway, Thanks Dusty

Paul M

[trubio]

It's really not such a big deal.

You can get brand new lock nuts for less than $10.00 right from Shopsmith and probably used ones for 50 cents

If you're scared to cut them off, you can just cut a little bit at a time and if you mess-up or don't like them, they're easy to replace. I really find that mine are much more useable because I can now get my hand around them.

If you have a sentimental attachment to a certain style, you can take them off and save them and then put on some others that are more user friendly and comfortable.

I like to take care of my tools and keep things stock up to a point, but a tool is supposed to be something that helps me, not hinders me or frustrates me.

[shipwright]

Don't give up. This is a photo I just posted in another thread. It was taken today. The powerhead is clearly in the drill press position and the wing nut is out of the way. If you've tried Dusty's trick with no success, try again. It worked for me. Hmmm... looking at the photo, maybe I should try it with the quill lock too.

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Paul M

[trainguytom]

Here's a couple of pics of my new "ILL LO". As you can see, the name is on it for ID purposes. This discussion has prompted me to take action on something that has irritated me for a while now. I've thought about an extra washer, tried it, & what I used changed the position 1/2 turn, which didn't help, so tonight I just cut off the wings about 1/2" so it's out of the way when I change speeds.
Works great, looks fine, cost nothing. It's done, and (as my wife says, " you've earned the right to forget about it", which I can now actually do since I don't hit my knuckles on it anymore)
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