billmayo wrote:I use a #10 stainless steel lockwasher under each cutter head screw. I only lightly snug the wedge screws when installing each knife. <snip>
It appears someone cross threaded, tried to used the wrong thread size screws or did not clean the cutter head screw holes prior to installing the screws. I use a #10 bottom tap to clean the cutter head screw holes before resetting the knives.
Thank you, Bill, for the idea. I assume you are using a 'split lock washer'. I like that idea a lot as, as i mentioned, the existing screws actually protrude out the bottom of the hole by a smidge so a washer will help that problem.
I am going to replace all the screws and run a tap through each of the holes before rebuilding the jointer.
Bob Groh
Blue Springs, Missouri (just east of Kansas City, MO)
--------------------------------------------
1984 SS Mark V updated to model 510
1994 SS Mark V updated to model 520
SS SPT's: Bandsaw
Other tools:routers, Bosch router table, Craftsman 6" jointer, Steel City 12" bench planer, Porter Cable 7" power saw, and too much other stuff (not really - just kidding!!)
I bought an '89 model that came with a jointer (used), and it needed blades, wedges, screws, etc. When I called SS about the washers that wereindicated in the manual, I was told that these washers were no longer used. I ordered everything else, assembled it all, aligned, tightened and fired her up. INSTANT DISASTER!!!:eek: The wedge screws backed out, and a blade went flying. The other two were damaged. When I can afford to replace the parts, I will go buy my own lockwashers! They are available at "Lowe's".
termitetim wrote:I bought an '89 model that came with a jointer (used), and it needed blades, wedges, screws, etc. When I called SS about the washers that wereindicated in the manual, I was told that these washers were no longer used. I ordered everything else, assembled it all, aligned, tightened and fired her up. INSTANT DISASTER!!!:eek: The wedge screws backed out, and a blade went flying. The other two were damaged. When I can afford to replace the parts, I will go buy my own lockwashers! They are available at "Lowe's".
Ouch, ouch, ouch! Sorry you had that wonderful experience.
It is indeed true that SS does not seem to use washers (they weren't even lockwashers!). However, following Mike's lead, I did use a split lock washer on my rebuilt. I also cleaned up the threads with a tap (I went all the way through). I used stainless steel screws and stainless steel split lock washers - all purchased through my local ACE Hardware. Now I am glad I did use split locks!
Bob Groh
Blue Springs, Missouri (just east of Kansas City, MO)
--------------------------------------------
1984 SS Mark V updated to model 510
1994 SS Mark V updated to model 520
SS SPT's: Bandsaw
Other tools:routers, Bosch router table, Craftsman 6" jointer, Steel City 12" bench planer, Porter Cable 7" power saw, and too much other stuff (not really - just kidding!!)
termitetim wrote:I bought an '89 model that came with a jointer (used), and it needed blades, wedges, screws, etc. When I called SS about the washers that wereindicated in the manual, I was told that these washers were no longer used. I ordered everything else, assembled it all, aligned, tightened and fired her up. INSTANT DISASTER!!!:eek: The wedge screws backed out, and a blade went flying. The other two were damaged. When I can afford to replace the parts, I will go buy my own lockwashers! They are available at "Lowe's".
I do hope that you contacted Shopsmith when this happened and had a serious discussion about whether or not lock washers are required and if required why did you not get them.
Furthermore, I hope you went through your own procedure to make certain that you installed the blades and wedges correctly. The blades are tapered as well as are the wedges. This was designed this way to prevent exactly what you say happened. A simple loose screw should not allow the blade to escape. The wedge should prevent that.
Once properly installed it is rather difficult to remove the blades and wedges. I find that I almost always have to use the depth set screws to force the wedges loose.
Contact Shopsmith if you did not.
"Making Sawdust Safely" Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
termitetim wrote:I bought an '89 model that came with a jointer (used), and it needed blades, wedges, screws, etc. When I called SS about the washers that wereindicated in the manual, I was told that these washers were no longer used. I ordered everything else, assembled it all, aligned, tightened and fired her up. INSTANT DISASTER!!!:eek: The wedge screws backed out, and a blade went flying. The other two were damaged. When I can afford to replace the parts, I will go buy my own lockwashers! They are available at "Lowe's".
Thank you for your first Post, Tim!!! And thank you for posting your own disaster!
I am wondering if this disaster was the caused by the lack of washers. It is possible to put the wedges in backwards. I've done this, but caught it when adjusting blade height. Things just didn't sit right. The blade height screws are hard to get to when the wedges are in backwards.
My jointer doesn't have washers, and I had received the very same answer from Shopsmith. I have had no issues with wedges or blades comming loose.
Another possibility could be the blades themselves. Were these Shopsmith brand blades? I think SS tell us their blades are tapered and straight blades will come loose.
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
bobgroh wrote:It is indeed true that SS does not seem to use washers (they weren't even lockwashers!). However, following Mike's lead, I did use a split lock washer on my rebuilt. I also cleaned up the threads with a tap (I went all the way through). I used stainless steel screws and stainless steel split lock washers - all purchased through my local ACE Hardware. Now I am glad I did use split locks!
Bob,
What was the size of the bolts and washers that you used and the ACE Hardware product number.
ldh
The other two were damaged. When I can afford to replace the parts, I will go buy my own lockwashers! They are available at "Lowe's".