Model ER rehab headstock

[LouTaylor]

I'm a new user and a retired cabinet maker. I've been in possession of my late father's old Shopsmith Model ER SN R39127 for years and lately used it just as a drill press. I harvested two holly trees last week which somehow has inspired me to try lathe work. My dad's old tool would be ideal for turning. So here's my problem: the main part (headstock?) used to be moveable on the ways, even in the perpendicular position. I set it horizontally today and I now can't move the headstock. I'm only able to inch it along using a pipe clamp and silicon lube but can't push or pull it physically. Any suggestions?

Another little problem occurred when I set it horizontally this morning: the motor dropped out, breaking some of the switch wiring. The motor is not bolted in but has two non threaded posts. I've had this Shopsmith in the horizontal position many times (not recently) and no such mishap has occurred.

I'm sentimentally connected to this old tool and want to keep using it. One of my fondest (and earliest) memories is using the Shopsmith as a kid of maybe five or six doing some jig sawing. My "Old Man" was a WWII vet. I'm guessing his being able to survive the war and then buy this tool was something he was proud of--but did not take for granted. Seventy some years later I'm glad it's still in the family.

Thanks for any help.

[chapmanruss]

LouTaylor,

Welcome to the Shopsmith Forum. I am not feeling well today so I will make this a quick answer. The Headstock not wanting to move along the Way Tubes is likely either the Way Tubes need cleaning and waxing or the lock is sticking. The Motor Mount is held in the bottom of the Headstock by set screws locking the posts.

[chapmanruss]

LouTaylor,

Sorry I was short on answers in my previous post but I am better now and if you have any questions feel free to ask. Hopefully my short answers were of some help to get you started but if you need additional information please ask and pictures can be helpful in describing a problem.

It is nice that you have good memories of using this Shopsmith from your younger days. With a little bit of work it can be running like new again.

Sorry you had the motor drop out and break the switch wiring. This might be a good time to replace that switch and if it was the original switch, I would recommend doing that anyway. While looking at the switch is the power cord original and if so it would be good to replace it too. Old power cords become brittle. For the switch, a DPST switch with an amp rating higher than the motor amperage. Same for the power cord and use a grounded power cord. A higher rated switch and power cord would be better for the continuous use for Lathe work.

For the Way Tubes I did suggest cleaning and waxing. The Owner's Guides for the Model 10E and 10ER do not mention waxing the Way Tubes but instead using oil for lubricating them. This makes a gunky mess when sawdust sticks to the oil film. Later Magna, the original makers of the Shopsmith Tools, recommended using paste wax. A supplement to the Owner's Guide covering that is the attached PDF below.
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Waxing Supplement Model 10s.pdf

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Basically, if it is bare metal (cast Iron or Steel) wax it and the tabletop can be waxed too.

Some history for your Shopsmith Model 10ER Serial Number R39127. It was made in the Western Plant in 1950. Although on the Logo/Serial Number plate it says Model ER it is a 10ER. It is an early 10ER and has double wedge locks. I mention this because if you need parts to complete it you should know there were a number of changes made to the Model 10's during their production from 1947 through 1953 and the wedge locks are one example. The Headstock's Way Tube Lock is one of the possible things causing the Headstock to not move freely on the Way Tubes. Even it the Lock Lever turns freely it is only moving the nut on the threads that goes in the back wedge and may not release the wedge from sticking. The picture below shows the locks that should be used on your Model 10ER. There is a nut in the end of the wedges on the left side of the picture. This nut is NOT a pressed in so it will slide in and out of the wedge. The top is the Quill Lock and for a time it was "keyed" as shown. The other two locks are the Headstock and Carriage Way Tube locks and are the same for each.

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Model 10ER V 4 and 5 Locks.jpg (171.35 KiB) Viewed 404 times