Trunion pivot bolt sheered

algale · Post by **algale** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 10:12 pm

algale wrote:Now I'm totally confused. Are we all talking the same part for the same model?

When I recently removed my rear trunnion to re-drill it for larger clearance holes in the bolts that attach to the table, the pivot pin just slipped out nice and easy when I removed the trunnion. It wasn't sheared off and it wasn't threaded, IIRC. I assumed it was designed as a loose piece that spun freely in the casting of the table bar and that the trunnion spun freely around the pin. I assumed the pin was captured (held in place) in the table bar by the trunnion casting when the trunnion was attached to the table.

When I reassembled my trunnions, I slipped the pin back into position and have had no problems or complaints. The table is entirely stable. Can someone post a photo of the pin?

Al

Am I ever embarrassed. I would have sworn that the rear trunnion pin was loose and simply slid into the table bar. I was so sure that to prove it to myself I went ahead and removed both my trunnions. Was I ever wrong. Both trunnion pins are indeed firmly attached to the table bar. What a waste of time. Had to go through the entire table alignment dance again. Funny how the mind can play tricks on you.

bduemig · Post by **bduemig** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:13 am

Someone at shopsmith must be paying attention.

I just got an email that the part is available. Hindge Pin Part #514741 for $2.45 ea.

I ordered two and will replace the rear one as well since I have no idea why the front one sheared. If the movers damaged it during the move, the rear one may be affected as well.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:42 am

bduemig wrote:Someone at shopsmith must be paying attention.

I just got an email that the part is available. Hindge Pin Part #514741 for $2.45 ea.

I ordered two and will replace the rear one as well since I have no idea why the front one sheared. If the movers damaged it during the move, the rear one may be affected as well.

Now that is what I would call "Extreme Customer Service". Not only does it resolve the parts problem in a very timely manner but it also proves that there is email available to Shopsmith Customer Service.

Way to go, whoever. Good Job.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:51 am

I had the trunnions off of one of my tables today. I just could not resist seeing this pin for myself. Sure enough, it is removable or is suppose to be. I tried taking one out (just to look at it and take a picture of it) but did not do that. It began to unscrew but then got hard to move so I quit. I am convinced though, after all these years, that the pin is removable.

The Main Table on that Mark V needed alignment anyhow.

Off Topic Comment: When Nick does a table alignment, he uses a dollar bill as a spacer behind the trunnion. Works great but I have torn two dollar bills doing this. This time I used the aluminum foil seal from the top of a 1 pound can of Folgers coffee. You have to fold it to get the thickness but when it comes time to pull it out, it does not tear.

bduemig · Post by **bduemig** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 10:52 am

dusty wrote:Now that is what I would call "Extreme Customer Service". Not only does it resolve the parts problem in a very timely manner but it also proves that there is email available to Shopsmith Customer Service.

Way to go, whoever. Good Job.

Ditto!! My faith has been restored in Shopsmith!

algale · Post by **algale** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:02 am

dusty wrote: Off Topic Comment: When Nick does a table alignment, he uses a dollar bill as a spacer behind the trunnion. Works great but I have torn two dollar bills doing this. This time I used the aluminum foil seal from the top of a 1 pound can of Folgers coffee. You have to fold it to get the thickness but when it comes time to pull it out, it does not tear.

Yup, my curiosity got the better of me too (alas, my table did not need realignment but it does now!). As for the dollar bill trick, does it go between the table bar and the front trunnion (as I've been doing) or between the table bar and the rear trunnion? Or does it not make any difference? Also, has anyone tried putting a temporary shim between the table bar and both trunnions (using a material half the thickness of a dollar bill for the two shims)?

wiredone · Post by **wiredone** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 11:28 am

I was (and am) impressed with ShopSmith getting in touch with you. I have always been a fan of them, but was dreading the day they fell into the same cesspool that many companies have jumped into blindly in the last few years.
You know, outsourcing customer service, hiring people that don't know or care about the product they represent, etc etc ad nauseum.
But it appears they aren't going down that road at this time. Praise be.
What I would like to know though, is this going to be a constant occurrence when we have a need or concern that isn't easily defined?
Start a thread here and hope they read it and someone there who cares addresses the issue?
This shouldn't have been such a problem. Find out who those bad reps were so we can avoid them. Get an email address from the guy who cared enough to fix the problem, share it for all to see. that kind of thing.
Just a thought or two.
I used to be the guy behind the scenes at a large mail-order parts business, (retired) and prided myself on a strong crew who knew the answers to most of the hard to answer questions. When one of the staff didn't know the answer or couldn't find a part, It would land on my desk and we would take care of the issue and land a new happy customer.
Not that hard to do, you just have to be committed to doing a good job.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:07 pm

algale wrote:Yup, my curiosity got the better of me too (alas, my table did not need realignment but it does now!). As for the dollar bill trick, does it go between the table bar and the front trunnion (as I've been doing) or between the table bar and the rear trunnion? Or does it not make any difference? Also, has anyone tried putting a temporary shim between the table bar and both trunnions (using a material half the thickness of a dollar bill for the two shims)?

I put the dollar bill (or whatever) between the table bar and the inside of the front trunnion. It seems that it should work the same way if done on the rear trunnion.

Using shims was discussed by Nick and was nixed but I don't remember why. I think it is a discussion on the forum.

I guess I was lucky. The machine that I did this on today is the machine that I use mostly for the drill press and for sanding. The table was off significantly.

As a side note: With the four trunnion bolts loose, if the trunnions are both drilled to 1/2" the table moves freely 1/8" in all directions. That should be no surprise as the bolts are 3/8" in a 1/2" hole but I had to check.

This readily explains why my centerline did not line up with the quill shaft like it should. With the holes drilled, this too can be corrected. It is just an additional check in the procedure for Main Table Alignment.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:09 pm

bduemig wrote:Ditto!! My faith has been restored in Shopsmith!

Did everyone remember to make a notation in their Illustrated Parts List of the P/N (514741)for the Hinge Pin.?

algale · Post by **algale** » Tue Mar 13, 2012 12:44 pm

dusty wrote: Using shims was discussed by Nick and was nixed but I don't remember why. I think it is a discussion on the forum.

Maybe I shouldn't have used the word "shim." My question is whether there would be any reason to put a piece of paper or other material that is one half the thickness of a dollar bill between the table bar and both of the trunnions during the alignment procedure (as opposed to using a dollar bill between the table bar and only one of the trunnions). I guess I'm not sure why dollar bill trick works in the first place.