Shopsmith-Branded Nova G3 Lathe Chuck

[Culprit]

I saw this when you posted but since I do not claim to be a turner and have NO expertise in the adapter, I did not respond. I should have paid more attention however because I too have this same situation. Guess it is time to call Shopsmith.

Don't call Shopsmith, call Teknatool in Florida. The G3 that I bought from Shopsmith.com shipped to me directly from Teknatool. I dealt with them directly and they sent me two replacements until I got one that worked properly.

[dusty]

Don't call Shopsmith, call Teknatool in Florida. The G3 that I bought from Shopsmith.com shipped to me directly from Teknatool. I dealt with them directly and they sent me two replacements until I got one that worked properly.

I sorta disagree.

I bought from Shopsmith. Shopsmith arranged for drop shipment as that was to their advantage. Shopsmith put their name on the box. I feel that they assumed responsibility for the contents.

Furthermore, someone at Shopsmith (probably named Jim McCann) should perform some sort of Quality Control on any item being sold with their name on it.

Who spec'd the angle at which the set screw is to be installed - Shopsmith?? Shopsmith spec'd the taper on the shaft!

[brad_nalor]

I must be missing something here. Is there some safety volunteer recall, update or something?

If a coupler, hub or router chuck adapter is first fully seated and bottomed out on the spindle and then tightened with a set-screw, I can't see where others have had a problem. This goes for an angled or straight tapped hole. Hasn't Shopsmith done this from the beginning?

Now if one has a straight bore and tapped set-screw lock on the hub, adapter, etc. and is used in a not fully seated application, just grind a little angle on that set-screw. I'm guessing if one is really concerned, just drill another hole 180 degree from the other on the adapter and add a second set-screw. Also, just add a slightly over 5/8 i.d. spacer first on the spindle and then whatever hub or adapter.

[dusty]

I must be missing something here. Is there some safety volunteer recall, update or something?

If a coupler, hub or router chuck adapter is first fully seated and bottomed out on the spindle and then tightened with a set-screw, I can't see where others have had a problem. This goes for an angled or straight tapped hole. Hasn't Shopsmith done this from the beginning?

Now if one has a straight bore and tapped set-screw lock on the hub, adapter, etc. and is used in a not fully seated application, just grind a little angle on that set-screw. I'm guessing if one is really concerned, just drill another hole 180 degree from the other on the adapter and add a second set-screw. Also, just add a slightly over 5/8 i.d. spacer first on the spindle and then whatever hub or adapter.

There is no recall and I do not even know if there is an issue with the hardware. I have not yet spoken with anyone at either Shopsmith or Teknatool.

If there is an issue, I am certain that a simple telephone call will resolve it. These are two great companies to work with. These and Incra are absolutely the best at customer problem resolution.

[backhertz]

I am not a woodturner. I have not made a single wood chip using a wood lathe. I purchased my G3 from woodworkerspecialties.com (aka 23gauge.com) off the Internet as the price was really good. I normally purchase used tools. Well, I have two DVR motors, but that's another story. Anyhow, my G3 chuck came with a huge threaded adapter made to be used on a 1" threaded 8 TPI threaded shaft. I couldn't use it. I called the company and told me they would get the correct adapter to me. I learned this company is the largest seller of 23 gauge nailers in North America- pretty cool, huh? 23 gauge is the diameter of a Cat 6 Ethernet wire!

They called Teknatool in Florida. Teknatool is right down the road from my condo down there- a small world and I visited them a week ago. I received the chuck adapter marked IFNS- a 5/8" insert adapter which is labelled IFNS Insert Chuck F- 5/8" Plain Bore. Well everyone here knows the Shopsmith uses a tapered flat on their shafts. I believe there are other forum threads with G3 Chuck issues with the Shopsmith. I know without a doubt that any issue will be resolved, but not many people know Teknatool has a U.S. presence in Florida. They are wanting to help but not many know how to. Go to http://www.teknatool.com and you can get their phone number and other info.

I asked questions and found out there was a special chuck insert developed just for the Shopsmith that allows a user to use their 5/32" Allen wrench and it is properly sized. The first insert adapter was not manufactured to mate with the taper on the Shopsmith arbor.

So I've taken some pictures of the 3 different chuck inserts I have. You'll see three. One is a IDNS which is made to be used on a 1" 8 TPI shaft. Can't use that. This came with the G3 chuck package. I called and a replacement insert adapter was shipped to me.

The replacement 5/8" insert adapter is marked:IFNS Insert Chuck F- 5/8" Plain Bore. The set screw will not fit flat on the Shopsmith shaft because this set screw is designed to sit on a flat surface- not a tapered or angled one. On the hex surfaces, there is stamped an "F" on this IFNS adapter. This adapter is only 1 9/16" ( 134mm) long- slightly shorter than the correct Shopsmith adapter. The hex surface is narrow (9mm), just enough to hold a screw which Teknatool calls a grubscrew.

The correct Shopsmith insert adapter is 1.75" (144mm) long. It has a larger 5/32" setscrew (like all the other setscrews it seems in the Shopsmith) which is sits at an angle to allow the setscrew to perfectly mate with the angled taper on the Shopsmith shaft. The hexagonal flat surfaces on the Shopsmith adapter are more than double the width (19m) of the IFNS adapter which has the smaller metric set screw. The Shipsmith insert adapter is stamped with an S on one of the hex surfaces. Refer to the pics.

I have taken pictures and will attempt to post them. I have written Teknatool whom I was so impressed with during my visit to their U.S. facility in Florida, that I might just become a wood turner! I am not aware if anyone in Shopsmith Customer Service is aware of this issue. I did not contact them as I "cheaped out" to save a few dollars & regret not ordering from Shopsmith to begin with.

There are many unique features of the Shopsmith such as the width of the slot used for the miter gauge. However, the customer service I have received from everyone at Teknatool and woodworkerspecialties.com who also sells 23 gauge nailers has been outstanding and no less than the super people on Poe Avenue at Shopsmith in Dayton whom I've known for years.

I may have opened Pandora's box and that was not my intention. I have 11 Shopsmiths and I was looking to duplicate the method Bill Mayo (long-time forum member, machinist, and far more) uses to polish way and bench tubes. I subsequently learned I could of used a rubber engine freeze plug with just a drill, and a couple of other things. But I have trouble walking away from a good deal.

Tony

[reible]

OK this caught my interest so out to the shop I go.

I purchased my G3 from shopsmith some years ago.

It has the correct size allen ie it works with the shopsmith t-wrench.

It has a 5/16 thread.

The hole is at the "shopsmith" angle.

The adapter has a "F" stamp.

The easiest way to check is to remove the set screw and insert a bolt, this checks the threads and the angle is really easy to see.

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Ed

[dusty]

My adapter is also marked with an "F" but it differs in that the setscrew requires a 3mm allen wrench and the set screw is not at an angle to meet the taper correctly. It is at 90° to the shaft.

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However, as always, Shopsmith customer service, in collaboration with Teknatool, has come through. Teknatool is sending to me a replacement adapter.

[pennview]

I have an older (original) Nova chuck with tommy bars with an "F" insert/adapter that uses the 3mm allen wrench. The threads are perpendicular to the flat surface of the insert/adapter.

When I purchased through Shopsmith the Nova tailstock system set recently, it came with a brochure that listed the various inserts/adapters now available. That list shows two inserts/adapters with 5/8" plain bore -- the IFNS and the ISNS. The description for the latter model says: "5/8" Plain Bore Designed for Shopsmith lathes."

Guess I should pick up one of the newer ISNS inserts/adapters.

[brad_nalor]

I have an older (original) Nova chuck with tommy bars with an "F" insert/adapter that uses the 3mm allen wrench. The threads are perpendicular to the flat surface of the insert/adapter.

When I purchased through Shopsmith the Nova tailstock system set recently, it came with a brochure that listed the various inserts/adapters now available. That list shows two inserts/adapters with 5/8" plain bore -- the IFNS and the ISNS. The description for the latter model says: "5/8" Plain Bore Designed for Shopsmith lathes."

Guess I should pick up one of the newer ISNS inserts/adapters.

In the same boat here but I never had an issue. Thanks all for the pics (a good tell-tale).

[algale]

My adapter is also marked with an "F" but it differs in that the setscrew requires a 3mm allen wrench and the set screw is not at an angle to meet the taper correctly. It is at 90° to the shaft.

[ATTACH]18188[/ATTACH]

However, as always, Shopsmith customer service, in collaboration with Teknatool, has come through. Teknatool is sending to me a replacement adapter.

My adapter is the same as Dusty's. I bought it May 2011. I called Teknatool and they are shipping me a replacement adapt too. Here's the kicker: they advised me not to use the chuck again until I get the new insert. I suspect the angle of the set screw is the issue.