Loose Bench tubes

[jsburger]

So everyone is clear of what I am trying to explain I will try to be clearer. The Shopsmith that I installed the double tilt on was a late 90's 510 that I upgraded to the 520 table about 5 years ago. Then last year I installed a Power Pro and just recently the double tilt. So the discussion on the tube diameter is not the problem. When I installed the double tilt I installed one end at a time. Much easier doing it that way then the upside down method.So, there was no tube mix up. The tubes are all the way in to the stops. What appears to be the problem is that there is enough slop around the holes that the only pressure point is the clamp. The extreme weight of the Power Pro is more then the one clamp can take in the upright position. Like in the drill press mode.This was not a problem with the old base. It was rock solid.

That is the way it is supposed to be. The holes are only clearance holes. The mating/registration surface is the ribs next to the ends of the clamp bar.

We really need pictures. The only thing I can think of is if you don't have OEM bolts for the clamp bars and the bars are not tight because the bolts have bottomed out. Do you have washers on the bolts?

[dusty]

I have had Shopsmiths for so many years i'm afraid to count. But recently i decided to add the double tilt to my 520. What the heck! Right! go with the latest and greatest, I am on my wits end trying to keep the bench tubes tight in the ends. I get it all tightened up and every thing seem ok until I tilt it up into the drill press position and the weight of the Power Pro is so great that it causes the tubes to move. Then when I tip it back down it won't line up to be able to lock it down. It seems like the casting holes are to large and causes the movement and the clamp is unable to keep it from moving. I have tightened the clamp bolts to the point of where i'm afraid I'll break them. I did not have this problem with the old system. And yes, the tubes are all the way in to the stops.

If you read this thread carefully and then read the supplemental thread posted by Ed Reible, you will see that the hole size is not the major controlling factor to whether the tubes tighten or not.

http://shopsmith.com/ss_forum/maintenan ... 20526.html

Study the first, third, fourth and fifth images that Ed posted. The vertical and horizontal movement of the tubes is controlled not by the hole size but by pressure points elsewhere in the casting. Eds' pictures should give you all the information needed to isolate the cause of your problem.

Note the space between the tubes and the holes in the castings.

Very informative post, Ed. I have archived all of your photo images for future reference.

[rbenstead]

First or all, I want to thank everyone for your input and guidance. Well I took everything apart. I found out what the problem was/is. One of the tilt bases is faulty with incomplete casting webs and stops. only one bench tube was being completely tightened on one end. Being all painted it wasn't noticed when I installed it. So it's either send the base back and wait for who knows how long . Or dig out the Heli-arc and build it up.

[dusty]

First or all, I want to thank everyone for your input and guidance. Well I took everything apart. I found out what the problem was/is. One of the tilt bases is faulty with incomplete casting webs and stops. only one bench tube was being completely tightened on one end. Being all painted it wasn't noticed when I installed it. So it's either send the base back and wait for who knows how long . Or dig out the Heli-arc and build it up.

Call customer service and explain your problem. I believe you will have the solution in hand much sooner than you might expect.

Since you have it apart where the webs can be seen, a couple photo images to CS might help.