Quill Feed sticking in Mark V Headstock upgraded to Power Pro

ladehaven · Post by **ladehaven** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 8:22 am

About 6 months ago I upgraded my Mark V 50th anniversary edition to the Power Pro. Everything went smoothly and the unit runs well. I'm very happy with the upgrade.

Unfortunately, even before the upgrade, my quill feed was rather stiff. After the upgrade, it was still stiff (didn't retract easily). I was sure to clean and wax the quill and the internal surfaces the quill slide on when I did the upgrade.

The more I am using the Shopsmith, the stiffer the quill feed is becoming. I'm afraid that it will soon become stuck. I have adjusted the retaining screw in the top so it is not binding.

I took out the quill and the quill feed still is very stiff even without the quill in the headstock. I thought I would remove the quill feed and clean and lubricate it, but due the the Power Pro upgrade, I cannot get my hand in the headstock to remove and replace the spherical washer.

Other than taking the Power Pro upgrade out of my headstock, can anyone recommend how I can remove and replace the quill feed?

Also, anyone have any ideas why my quill feed is so stiff? When I turn it, it feels like metal on metal.

Thanks,

Leon DeHaven

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:05 am

Leon;
I have had a similar problem with my headstock. You can remove the quill feed and not lose the spherical washer by tying a string to the shaft on the operator's side of the headstock so the string captures the washer. When you put the shaft back in put the string through the headstock casting and then put the washer on the string so it does not drop into the headstock.
As for the quill binding I had the same problem with my factory assembled PP headstock. I would suggest that you remove the quill and check the gear teeth for any metal transfer. The new quill and the old feed may have some slight manufacturing tolerance differences.
Also because the quill feed is the older part there may be some contamination in the quill spring housing causing the bind. Blow the spring housing out with compressed air (wear goggles) and try to work it again.
Additionally, you should check the quill bore in the headstock casting for any old wax buildup that may have occured from too much wax over the years.
I used a piece of 3M green pads attached to a stick and some solvents to remove the old wax. Mine now works acceptably well.
Bill V

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:30 am

Interestingly, as I recall reading through my PowerPro upgrade DIY instructions back in 2010, it mentioned that "some flex of the casting is normal." I suspect, but am not sure, that the differently loaded casting may have a very minor tightening/skewing in the quill area.

Anyway, I've never lost sleep over it. I keep everything deburred and waxed like wa2crk mentions.

chris jay · Post by **chris jay** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:41 am

If it was me, I'd take it all out and do it right. Look for any burs of metal and clean up anything that might be in the gears. Inspect the spring and blow it out. Ad some lube there. Retention it. Also yes check for old wax or old grease

ladehaven · Post by **ladehaven** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 2:13 pm

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to try the washer on a string idea tonight when I get home.
Leon

ladehaven · Post by **ladehaven** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 5:51 pm

I have taken out the quill feed using the string trick to make sure I didn't lose the domed washer. I've cleaned it all up and ready to put it back together.

I watched Nick Engler's video on the subject and he says the washer should be installed with the dome facing in. When I took mine out, the dome was facing out.

Anyone have a good idea which way the domed washer should be installed?

For now I'm going to put it back in the way I found it.

Thanks,

Leon

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 6:04 pm

ladehaven wrote:I have taken out the quill feed using the string trick to make sure I didn't lose the domed washer. I've cleaned it all up and ready to put it back together.

I watched Nick Engler's video on the subject and he says the washer should be installed with the dome facing in. When I took mine out, the dome was facing out.

Anyone have a good idea which way the domed washer should be installed?

For now I'm going to put it back in the way I found it.

Thanks,

Leon

The domes on both of mine are facing in. If this is wrong....man, I don't want to tear them down because I put them together incorrectly.

I'll wait to hear what you have to report.

reible · Post by **reible** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 6:40 pm

Some times this facing in/out stuff gets confusing.

The dome should face the operator's side of the machine.

On one used machine I got the quill was sticking because of sawdust packing the return spring. I have no idea how so much saw dust got packed in the spring but once it was gone the quill issues were over.

If you happen to think you might have a burr somewhere get a cotton q-tip and drag it back and forth over the edges, when it catches you will know as it will pull the cotton.

Ed

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 6:50 pm

dusty wrote:The domes on both of mine are facing in. If this is wrong....man, I don't want to tear them down because I put them together incorrectly.

I'll wait to hear what you have to report.

It does not matter which way the domed washer faces. Outward facing is the way Shopsmith installed them but I have found flat washers along with the dome facing inward on many. It has no effect either way for locking the quill feed. You are pushing the washer againest one of the headstock quill legs and the quill spring housing againest the other leg to clamp the quill housing. It is the clamping together of the two headstock quill legs on the quill housing that locks the quill. This is why if you very lighly tighten the quill lock, you can remove any movement/play from the quill housing. I operate this way for all my drilling.

reible · Post by **reible** » Thu Dec 05, 2013 7:05 pm

Here is a reference you might want to print out for future use

http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showpos ... ostcount=4

Ed