bad locks

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 11:48 am

All of my locks are not holding. I know I had read someplace about these having to be fixed/replaced. I am wondering if I can figure out what the part number is for the locks so I can get my SS to not slide around when I am trying to use it.

I have been trying to do some differen tthings but it just isn't working for me. And I know it isn't safe.

Thanks,

Nathan

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 12:24 pm

If the headstock and carriage are sliding when they should be locked, it is certainly NOT safe.

First try filing the headstock and carriage locks.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=9958

Of course you have to remove everything form the way tubes to do this, but you have to do that for a replacement as well. Be careful when loosening the wedges, they are soft aluminum and the lock rods are steel and can be over tightened and stripped. If the threads on the wedges are stripped, then they need to be replaced. If they are just out of shape, they can be filed.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 12:56 pm

You'll nee part #'s 50,51 and 80 in a assembly. IF ya can't repair yours.

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

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 12:58 pm

Okay, let me follow up with my original post. I am a MORON. I apparently turned them the wrong way, and was tightening them OPEN. I am such an idiot.

Feel like an idiot. Mostly am an idiot.

I turned them just to barely tight, and it held everything in place.

Thank you for your responses though beeg and terrydowning. I do appreciate you giving me the answer.

Nathan

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:02 pm

Hey you solved your problem, nothing to beat yourself up about.

I made the mistake of loosening my locks up and unthreading the side opposite of the handle. It took me a little while to get everything figured out after I had turned the handle with only one side threaded.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:11 pm

To tighten mine, I spin the handle then turn it no more that about a eighth of a turn.

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 1:21 pm

Thanks Letter. Yeah. hard not to when I was ready to break down and tear it apart to try to figure it out.

Beeg, I saw you or someone else post that is what they do on another thread. I did that and everything held tight. Thanks!

Quick question. Far as I can tell, I have the old greenie from the paint job, but I noticed that the Shopsmith disc comes off for access to inside the headstock. so do I have a newer headstock? Or???

I can't see the serial number to look it up. Any thoughts?

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 2:47 pm

stickthrower wrote:Thanks Letter. Yeah. hard not to when I was ready to break down and tear it apart to try to figure it out.

Beeg, I saw you or someone else post that is what they do on another thread. I did that and everything held tight. Thanks!

Quick question. Far as I can tell, I have the old greenie from the paint job, but I noticed that the Shopsmith disc comes off for access to inside the headstock. so do I have a newer headstock? Or???

I can't see the serial number to look it up. Any thoughts?

From Nick Engler and the Sawdust Session on buying a used Shopsmith:

"Early headstocks made in 1954 and 1955 had no access hole (covered by a
Shopsmith logo) on the side of the headstock]http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... rk%20V.pdf[/url]

Also the FAQ at Shopsmith.com

"1953 to 1960 (Green)
These units had a Gilmer Drive System (the inside of the top belt is like a tank track). These units were a single bearing spindle. 3/4 Hp motor was the standard.

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 3:04 pm

Thanks Letter!

I found the serial, it is a 56 3/4 hp. from what I can tell. 341060

But it is ported, so someone must have had that done.

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:15 pm

stickthrower wrote:Thanks Letter!

I found the serial, it is a 56 3/4 hp. from what I can tell. 341060

But it is ported, so someone must have had that done.

It is late enough that they added the hole for maintenance by the time your machine was made. If I'm understanding correctly, the original headstocks were made by sand-casting until they had molds made.