Head Stock Lock

[commnthings]

Head Stock is frozen UNLOCKED. Drill press mode is not possible.

[reible]

Head Stock is frozen UNLOCKED. Drill press mode is not possible.

When you want to work on this it is much easier in drill press mode so the easy way to do that is pull the main table, slide the carriage down to the end(lower side) slide the headstock against the carriage and tip it up to drill press mode.

It is likely that the aluminum threads of the wedge locks will get damaged if you attempt to twist too much. It is also somewhat likely that you will need new parts. You might want to be safe and order them now so you will have them when you have the time to do the repair.

See this page:

http://www.shopsmith.com/service/mostfr ... dparts.htm

Good luck,

Ed

[JPG]

The 'timing'(spacing of the wedges on the threaded rod) is relatively simple once the jamming is resolved(i.e. Do not be concerned at this time).

This is much easier to address with the rod and wedges out of the headstock.

Assuming the rear wedge is NOT jammed, it can be positioned up against the non-threaded center of the rod. Then after removal of the wing nut, if you are fortunate, the rod and wedges can be removed from the headstock(push the rod etc. towards the rear wedge bore sufficiently to extricate the front from that bore.

If not, a hack saw is needed(destroys the threaded rod).

In that unfortunate scenario, I suggest all three parts be replaced(rod and two wedges).

[commnthings]

Thanks. Will give it a shot as soon as I have a few free minutes.

[JPG]

Thanks. Will give it a shot as soon as I have a few free minutes.

I suggest you plan on more time than that.

[commnthings]

Well, yeah.

I peeked inside and it looks like the threads on the rod are buggered. Ratz!

More later . . .

[JPG]

The wedges are softer than the rod. Pieces of wedge can get stuck in the valleys of the rod threads.(that is what causes the jamming) When the wedge 'debris' is removed, often the rod threads are still ok.

So it is a good idea to only cut the rod as a last resort.

A small stiff wire brush will help clean up the threads.

[commnthings]

Thanks. Will give it a try.

[Hippie]

For what it's worth, I would NOT use WD-40 for this application. WD-40 was designed for Water Displacement (hence the WD in the name). I would go to the store and buy some penetrating oil. It will say penetrating oil on the container. Other oils will not work as well. A clean-up will be required, of course, and then a thin coat of beeswax (or oil if you prefer).

[commnthings]

Thanks. Penetrating oil I have. And beeswax.