Headstock Lock Repair.

[beeg]

Well I'm disappointed. My headstock lock wedges went south on me after only 32 years of use. The handle won't turn more that about an eighth of a turn. So now I can't lock the headstock in place. I tried to turn the handle with a crescent wrench to get the wedges towards the center of the rod, so that it could be removed. The wing broke off, so tried the same thing with the stub. This time the rod twisted off at the handle. Good thing I had on hand a 513014 Headstock Lock Assembly, 504234 Right Hand Wedge Lock and 504235 Left Hand Wedge Lock. So I proceeded to tilt up the way tubes, removed the Way Tube Tie Bar and slide the headstock off the tubes. Before I disconnected the switch wires, I marked them and drew a diagram of where they are connected, I then disconnected the wires from the switch, I then dropped the motor pan for better access to cut the rod for removal of it and the wedges. Then came time to install the new wedges on the new rod, twisting them onto the threads till they were about an inch from the end of the threads. Installed the assembly into the headstock, then proceeded to position the wedges in the proper place. The right hand (backside) wedge should be position flush with the end of the rod. The left hand (front side) wedge is positioned 5/8's of an inch from the end of the rod. Next is to install the new lock handle, lining up the hole in the handle to the hole in the rod. You'll have to hold the rod in the center blank area while ya turn the handle. When the holes line up, install the roll pin. Reinstall the headstock onto the way tubes, connect the switch wires. Attach the motor pan to the headstock. All should be well now.
The hardest part was removing the wires from the switch and installing the roll pin in the handle.


headstock_diagram

http://www.shopsmith.com/service/headst ... iagram.htm

[dusty]

I sure hoped you lubed it or waxed it.