Molder Head Knives old/new

[shoedo]

I am a Shopsmith novice, a babe. the following is a quote from Shopsmith. "Note: Molder heads purchased prior to September 2011 require the "older-style" molding knives. Recent molder heads use the "new-style" molding knives." Not sure whether I have the older style, thinner knives or the newer style, thicker knives. If you own a 2011 or later molder head, would you take a measurement of the channel/slot of newer style that would allow me to compare the two? If it turns out that I have the older style molder head, I guess the only place for me to acquire the thinner knives is on the secondary market. Thanks in advance!

[chapmanruss]

We recently discussed this in the thread linked below.

https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/wood ... 23461.html

You can still buy brand new knife sets set of the "old" style from Shopsmith. They are listed on the same page with the new style knife sets which is the same page you got the quote from.

As I said in the previous thread

The first was the Aluminum Molder Head and Magna Engineering made two versions. One originally for the Shopsmith Model 10's (P/N 12 375) with a set screw to directly attach it to the Spindle. The other without the set screw requiring an arbor or like arrangement to use it and was made for the Montgomery Ward PowrCraft line. This was replaced by the Pro Molding Head (again P/N 12 375) made out of steel with cutouts for the set screws that push a ball bearing to center and lock the blade. Later the part number for the Pro Molding Head changed to 505553 when all part numbers changed in 1964. A black coated version of the Pro Molder Head came out before Shopsmith Inc. continued to make this Molder Head (P/N 505553) without the cutouts at the set screws until September 2011.

They are shown in the picture below starting in the upper left corner.

Molder Heads.jpg (206.74 KiB) Viewed 4937 times

The first Molder Head came out in either late 1952 or early 1953 for the Model 10's and was replaced by the Pro Molder Head in 1954.

Below is a picture showing the two styles of the "Old" Knives.

Molder Knives.jpg (327.81 KiB) Viewed 4937 times

The one on the right is the original style having a smaller hole with an additional "cut" out at the bottom of the hole. The first Molder Head held the knives in place with just screws and the "cut" out was for them. The second "old" knives had a larger hole that the ball bearing sat in to align and lock the knife in place. These will work in each others "old" Molder Heads

[shoedo]

I went back to the page with my quote and saw where both the old and new styles were available for purchase. I was blind but now I see. Thanks!