Jointer guard upgrade

reluctant43 · Post by **reluctant43** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:30 pm

The instructions that came with the guard upgrade for my Shopsmith jointer provide templates for drilling and then tapping the jointer at specific locations to mount the guards. The instructions suggest you drill with a #26 bit then tap with a #10-24 tap but then I noticed when you buy a #10-24 tap it is paired with a #25 bit, not #26. I don't do much (any) tapping in cast iron. Has anyone installed the guard upgrade and what was your experience with the drill bit size?

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:50 pm

If those are the instructions that SS now provides then they are different from mine. When I bought mine the tap was 1/4 x 28.
That is not the most common thread size for a 1/4 inch screw and I had to search for the tap. Maybe they changed to a more commonly available size because of the limited availability of the 28TPI tap.
I just checked the SS website and the jointer retro kit installation kit lists a #3drill bit and a 1/4-28 tap and a tap handle.
Bill V

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 8:24 am

reluctant43 wrote:The instructions that came with the guard upgrade for my Shopsmith jointer provide templates for drilling and then tapping the jointer at specific locations to mount the guards. The instructions suggest you drill with a #26 bit then tap with a #10-24 tap but then I noticed when you buy a #10-24 tap it is paired with a #25 bit, not #26. I don't do much (any) tapping in cast iron. Has anyone installed the guard upgrade and what was your experience with the drill bit size?

If the instructions came with a kit that you just purchased from Shopsmith, then I would suggest that you follow those directions without question. However, if you do have doubts, call Shopsmith customer service.

The specific hardware that Shopsmith employs seems to have a way of "evolving" with out explanation as to why. I witness that regularly here on the forum. You might conclude that "Time changes all things".