Motor/Table will not stay tight

guerres · Post by **guerres** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 12:10 pm

How do I keep the motor and table secure. The tool is pretty much useless with the motor and table sliding where they want. I don't use the table saw, but would really like to use the other features.

idcook · Post by **idcook** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 12:52 pm

guerres wrote:How do I keep the motor and table secure. The tool is pretty much useless with the motor and table sliding where they want. I don't use the table saw, but would really like to use the other features.

The headstock (which contains the motor) is locked using this knob.

[ATTACH]25354[/ATTACH]

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 12:56 pm

guerres wrote:How do I keep the motor and table secure. The tool is pretty much useless with the motor and table sliding where they want. I don't use the table saw, but would really like to use the other features.

Which version do you have? The wedges may be worn or stripped. The newer carriage lock has a nut on the back to adjust.

Gorilla hands are the leading cause of this problem(but not exclusively).

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 2:46 pm

Just to make certain that we are all discussing the same problem, please confirm that you are unable to secure both the carriage and the headstock.

Has this been an ongoing problem or did it just suddenly begin?

Do you do regular maintenance on your Shopsmith? Are the Way Tubes cleaned and properly waxed? If so, the Carriage and Headstock should move on the tubes with very little pressure being applied.

Is the Shopsmith a Model 500/505/510 or 520? It doesn't make a big difference as they all lock pretty much the same but it is good to know.

Do you have any pictures of your Shopsmith that you could post here. It would help those who might have advice.

guerres · Post by **guerres** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 2:03 pm

Sorry for not getting back sooner, I'm not sure witch Mark V I have. It is gray and the name plate on the headstock says Mark V. I think it was built in the late 60's. I haven't used it in about 2-3 years. I've tightened the securing wing bolts, but the headstock and table still move when any pressure is applied.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 2:21 pm

guerres wrote:Sorry for not getting back sooner, I'm not sure witch Mark V I have. It is gray and the name plate on the headstock says Mark V. I think it was built in the late 60's. I haven't used it in about 2-3 years. I've tightened the securing wing bolts, but the headstock and table still move when any pressure is applied.

What size is the table? That will narrow answers down. They will differ for the carriage.

As for the headfstock.

A 'common' problem is stripped threads in the wedges. A progressively worse condition as more and more torque is applied to the wingnut to compensate.

The front wedge is usually the one more prone to stripping. As you turn the wingnut to tighten, observe if the end of the wedge moves in away from the wingnut. If not it is surely stripped.

If the carriage also has a wingnuts instead of a lever and wheel crank, all above also applies to it.

rcplaneguy · Post by **rcplaneguy** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 2:44 pm

What do you mean by "securing wing bolts"? Properly adjusted (working) headstock, table elevation, table tilt, and carriage locks prevent any movement. Do you mean the table is moving uncontrollably up and down, or side to side, or both?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:27 pm

rcplaneguy wrote:What do you mean by "securing wing bolts"? Properly adjusted (working) headstock, table elevation, table tilt, and carriage locks prevent any movement. Do you mean the table is moving uncontrollably up and down, or side to side, or both?

From the original quest, I think it is logical to conclude that the OP is having a difficult time securing the Carriage and the Headstock in position on the Way Tubes.

He states that, with pressure, these items move even when locked. They should not.

The first thing that I would suspect is that either the wedges are worn excessively or the threaded rod is stripped or the threads in the wedges themselves are stripped.

I would drop the motor pan, disconnect the power cord from the switch and put the Mark V in drill press position. In this position, the rods can be inspected and the action of the wedges can be observed.

The complaint is not unusual and the repair is relatively inexpensive and not hard. If the headstock wedges are defective, the headstock must be taken off of the way tubes. Also not hard (unless the weight is an issue).

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Jun 22, 2014 3:45 pm

dusty wrote:From the original quest, I think it is logical to conclude that the OP is having a difficult time securing the Carriage and the Headstock in position on the Way Tubes.

He states that, with pressure, these items move even when locked. They should not.

The first thing that I would suspect is that either the wedges are worn excessively or the threaded rod is stripped or the threads in the wedges themselves are stripped.

I would drop the motor pan, disconnect the power cord from the switch and put the Mark V in dripp press position. In this position, the rods can be inspected and the action of the wedges can be observed.

The complaint is not unusual and the repair is relatively inexpensive and not hard. If the headstock wedges are defective, the headstock must be taken off of the way tubes. Also not hard (unless the weight is an issue).

I am glad you said that! I considered saying that, but did not want to 'scare him off'.

Dripp???:D

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Motor/Table will not stay tight

Motor/Table will not stay tight

Sliding headstock and table