Miter Bar Washer Issue

algale · Post by **algale** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:52 pm

The washer on the end of my miter bar came off. When I attempted to re-tighten the machine screw holding the washer on, the machine screw just spun. Inspection suggests that the problem is that some of the mystery material (nylon? epoxy?) in the miter bar that the machine screw threads into has worn/chipped out, leaving no internal threads. This mystery material is not a service part. Has anybody had this issue or developed a solution.

Best,

Al

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 2:02 pm

The existence of 'mystery material' is a puzzlment to me!

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 2:37 pm

JPG40504 wrote:The existence of 'mystery material' is a puzzlment to me!

After all these many years?

There just might be something in that screw hole other than the hole. I had never noticed but then in twenty five years I think this is only the second time that I have taken that screw out. I needed to use the miter gauge on the belt sander which has no t-slot.

There appears to be an insert in that hole and the mystery material of which you speak may be that insert. If Shopsmith does not sell the insert, I am afraid you are doomed to either operate without the benefit of the nickel or buy a new miter gauge.

Does Shopsmith sell the miter bar? Yup. It is 518104 and is listed in the PDF Catalog at $29.46 plus shipping.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:00 pm

I'd try some JB Weld and then drill and tap it.

algale · Post by **algale** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:06 pm

There's clearly something in the miter bar. It can be seen and felt from the top of miter bar. Take out the screw and washer and hold the miter bar up to a light. The material is translucent. The threads appear to be tapped into this material and not the steel of the miter bar itself. This can be confirmed by comparing the diameter of the machine screw to the diameter of the plug of the mystery material visible from the top. The plug is wider than the screw hence the threads are in the mystery material.

When I inspected the machine screw under a 10x loupe, I could see bits of this mystery material embedded in the threads of the machine screw. I have cleaned these out. But it appears that I am machine screwed unless I buy another bar!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:08 pm

All(3) my miter gauge bars that were made with that washer(we are speaking of the washer near the end opposite the actual miter gauge/segment) have an 8-32 threaded hole. No mystery material!

I was referring only to that hole Dusty!:D

The miter gauge bar is available - http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/itemfind.htm?item=504300&Submit=Find+Item

Costs more here!

algale · Post by **algale** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:23 pm

Here are a couple of photos. The material, circled in red,as viewed from the top. It is translucent.[ATTACH]16330[/ATTACH][ATTACH]16329[/ATTACH]

reible · Post by **reible** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 5:57 pm

I wonder if that is a repair? Mine (qty 3) are all just a tapped hole in the bar.

[ATTACH]16333[/ATTACH]

Dusty here is something I posted here a very long time ago that makes the washer/non-washer miter gauges interchangeable. The washer is trimmed then you either turn it so you have no protrusion ie belt sander/500 table/cast iron bandsaw or turn it so you have the protrusion for use on the newer equipment.

[ATTACH]16334[/ATTACH]

Ed

algale · Post by **algale** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:04 pm

reible wrote:I wonder if that is a repair? Mine (qty 3) are all just a tapped hole in the bar.

[ATTACH]16333[/ATTACH]

Dusty here is something I posted here a very long time ago that makes the washer/non-washer miter gauges interchangeable. The washer is trimmed then you either turn it so you have no protrusion ie belt sander/500 table/cast iron bandsaw or turn it so you have the protrusion for use on the newer equipment.

[ATTACH]16334[/ATTACH]

Ed

Interesting, Ed. But I think Dusty said his had an insert as well. My 520 was made Jan. 2001. How old/new are your miter bars?

Al

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:06 pm

reible wrote:I wonder if that is a repair? Mine (qty 3) are all just a tapped hole in the bar.

[ATTACH]16333[/ATTACH]

Dusty here is something I posted here a very long time ago that makes the washer/non-washer miter gauges interchangeable. The washer is trimmed then you either turn it so you have no protrusion ie belt sander/500 table/cast iron bandsaw or turn it so you have the protrusion for use on the newer equipment.

[ATTACH]16334[/ATTACH]

Ed

That is a neat solution to a possible irritant. I may have to do the same thing for the miter gauge that I use on the belt sander. Thanks Ed.

My miter gauges are a bit over twenty years old. This may be a difference introduced over time. However, what appears to be an insert in mine does not seem to be translucent. It looks vaguely like a small helicoil but there is no tang.