JUST SO YOU KNOW, I was attempting to do a little sharpening of my planer blades with the Shopsmith Knife Sharpening Jig 555471 and happened to notice that there are 2 spring washers under the clamp down assy. Their purpose is to spring open the the clamp down piece just enough to insert the knives. What I noticed is that these washers are larger then the studs they fit over and with the “slop” of these washers they have a tendency to interfere with the knife properly “seating” in the jig. They stick out between the base of the fixture and the clamp down assy and the knife edge will rest on them rather then being fully seated into the groove.
Before tightening the 3 wing nut down on the blade, check that the knife edge (back) is seated correctly and not resting on these washers.
This issue could be totally prevented with the use of smaller washers, ones that fit over the stud properly which would eliminate the “slop”, preventing the washer from shifting towards the knife groove.
If you use this Jig, check your knife “seating” before you grind or you may mess up your planer knives.
This may have already been addressed but I could not find it in the search..
OK, Admin can kill this post.... I see that Dusty has already brought this up in a previous post in another section of the forum and my post is redundent.
[quote="doug45601"]OK, Admin can kill this post.... I see that Dusty has already brought this up in a previous post in another section of the forum and my post is redundent.]
I didn't do that, Doug. I don't know how to retrieve old threads and make them reappear like that. In fact, I was searching for that thread and could not find it.
I am also looking for one that was posted by I believe Ed in Tampa/Nick regarding table flatness and can not find it.
In this war between me and the computer, the computer wins (and I give up).
"Making Sawdust Safely" Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
dusty wrote:I didn't do that, Doug. I don't know how to retrieve old threads and make them reappear like that. In fact, I was searching for that thread and could not find it.
I am also looking for one that was posted by I believe Ed in Tampa/Nick regarding table flatness and can not find it.
In this war between me and the computer, the computer wins (and I give up).
{Knight of the Shopsmith} [Hero's don't wear capes, they wear dog tags]
Not a biggie Dusty... I just was unable to find any historical data on this issue and just wanted to point it out for others. I know that there are lots of people out there who have yet to experience some of these issues. Also, there are many who have little experience in a technical background to understand some of the things we take for granted.
My eduication in technical fields with hands-on experiences has led me to be un-assuming in most everything that looks and should be obvious. Even today there are many people who have no idea how a light bulb works!
What's important is that "our" (all of us) experiences and knowledge gets shared and passed along.
At least we can be assured others are getting the message no matter if it's repeated or written in different terms. someone will read it..
I would suspect that one or more of the washers are upside down. The cupped side goes up otherwise the edge of the washer will stick down and catch the knife.
Hi Jim! These spring washers are the same upside down as they are before turning them over. It's a physics law. Or perhaps its one of Murphy's other laws. Believe me, I too, turned them over before I realized this fact. It is kinda like installing a fan propeller backward to get it to blow backwards - it just can't be done. Now I know you are going to try this, but don't be surprised! I was, and had to say Duhh!
You could instead rotate the washers 90 degrees to get the effect you want, but to keep them that way is really tough!:mad: They rotate back very easily!
The jig works very much better, in fact perfectly, with the smaller 7mm washers.
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
Following this posting: So I goes to Lowes yesterday and picks up a package of 7mm "curved lock washers"... Same looks as the ones being called "spring washers".. I even put a little more bend in them and yes, they fit and work perfectly!
Now, not meaning to knock Shopsmith by any means but it has been my experience with the purchase of my MK-5's back in 1980 thru now that "I" have to complete and perfect the equipment where Shopsmith has "left off".
Most of the aluminum castings had rough edges that required some finish work. Burrs and rough spots left on the table tops, sharp corners here and there, loose set screws. Not a big deal and easy fix with a file to do some detailed grooming. Now for the oversized spring washers on the Sharpening Jig.
Perhaps I expect too much.. I can tell you that from the 3 different MK V's that I've owned thoughout the years that the initial purchased MK-V back in January 80 was the best groomed of the 3. Guess supply and demand sometimes causes some dipping in quality. Even I miss a belt loop from time to time..
These spring washers have been the subject of this forum on at least two sessions before this. Yes, there seems to be a consensus that the large spring washer "appears to be an incorrect size for this application". But we don't really know that. We may think that but we don't know that.
Without hearing from the engineers at Shopsmith, one can only do what one believes to be best for themselves. To come to the conclusion that someone at Shopsmith screwed up is, in my opinion, without good foundation.
I have left the original spring washers in mine. I am just careful when I use the jig to make sure that the washers are located where I want them. I am not saying that changing washers is going to be a problem but I am not ready to override Shopsmith on this one or to cast dispersions.
"Making Sawdust Safely" Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
