Binding Quill

catfaber · Post by **catfaber** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:31 pm

I just got my first ShopSmith. I found out about them last week, thought they would be just the thing for my shop (former one-car garage: sounds like lots of space but I want to build another canoe in it, so space for tools is limited) frantically read up on them for three days, found one near me on Craigslist (a 510 made in 1982 in "excellent condition" with casters and all original parts as far as I can tell but no extras, not rusty, not even dirty), talked the owner down to 750$, took the legs off it and slid it into the back of my station wagon and drove home.

Got home after dark; opted not to try to pry SS out of the car in the dark while tired, read the manual until midnight, woke up from confused dreams about woodworking at 6:00 am thinking about the Shopsmith and couldn't go back to sleep.

Persuaded my husband to help me get it out of the car, and turn it right side up once I put the legs on. Figured out how to get the lower saw guard off it (looks like Original Owner didn't use upper guard much--even though he apparently only used it as a tablesaw; all the other parts are still boxed up.)

Got it started, ran down, up, down, through speeds fine. (Though OO left it on its fastest setting when he turned it off, so the turning on involved some trepidation and checking tags on extension cords to find the heaviest duty one, since I knew (thanks manual!) not to try to change the speed setting when it wasn't turned on. Circuit breaker did not trip, and SS turned on okay; is now set on lowest speed.)

Tried extending quill. Goes out partway, then binds, then frees up again as it extends farther. Gulp. Called Shopsmith. The kind lady on the phone referred me to sawdust video on how to remove, clean, replace quill and re-tension spring. Followed directions: quill (double bearing type) showed no sign of sawdust buildup but cleaned anyway. Bearings seem good. Cleaned pinion as well as possible (wire brush a little too big: can be jammed in opening but doesn't move freely.) Found no sign of sawdust on pinion.

Waxed quill. And, while I was at it, way tubes, bench tubes, table surfaces, rip fence, miter bar and holes at the end of SS for extension tables. As far as I could tell it had never been done before. Headstock and table carriage move much more easily now. Tool feels like quality construction.

Buffed quill. Retensioned spring (careful to turn handle the right way: have read turning it the wrong way can cause problems). Reinstalled quill.

Quill still binds. Whimper.

The body of the quill is mostly dark but there is one bright spot on it, and I notice that small bright flakes are generated when I extend and retract the quill. I think they are metal flakes. When I feel the bright spot it feels slightly raised above the dark surface of the quill. So perhaps there is an irregularity in the body of the quill that is gradually wearing down...

On the other hand, the SS had a couple of cast aluminum parts that were broken--the base of the extension table (the part that holds the vertical tubes to the tabletop) and the wheel that raises and lowers the main table. I have ordered replacements from Shopsmith. But this makes me wonder if the SS took a heck of a whack at some point (maybe OO backed into it with his tractor?), and whether something inside the headstock is bent and catching on the quill. But in that case I would expect a bright longitudinal scratch on the quill, rather than a single irregular bright spot.

Any advice? I would really like to start making sawdust soon. Will probably dream about woodworking again tonight; I have an idea for using horizontal borer and thread stock (like a bolt but you put a nut on each end; I can get it 3 feet long at my local hardware store) to clamp up a workbench. (Which I also need, and I blew most of my shop budget on the SS. Was patting myself on the back over the deal until I ordered the parts :-7 Now may need more parts :-(

I'm not sure what to do next. I can call Shopsmith (and probably will tomorrow morning) but I just thought I'd whine at you tonight.

Any ideas?

dlbristol · Post by **dlbristol** » Thu Sep 03, 2009 11:48 pm

I won't add to the advice you have now, but I know you will get lots of good help soon. I sure have!! Welcome to the SS world.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:27 am

You said ya buffed the quill, but did ya wax it and the hole it goes in? That bright spot sounds like maybe there's a burr Ya might want to get a brass brush, it's about the size of a toothbrush for cleaning. Don't forget to clean up, align and lube the 510.

Welcome to the forum Catfaber.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 1:01 am

RE: Stickey quill. There is a set screw on the top of the headstock. I assume you did remove/loosen it if you took out the quill. That set screw rides in a keyway on the top of the quill barrell. Look closely at the groove and make sure there are no burrs on the sides of the groove. These burrs are created by tightening the set screw with the groove not directly under the set screw. A small file will cleanup the sides and outer surface if there is one there(Your raised shiney spot creating flakes?). Also do NOT tighten this set screw. Snug it down and back it off slightly so that it doesn't rub the bottom of the groove(if bumps are along the bottom, clean them with a file also).

I assume this stickyness is when you attempt to extend the quill. If it is sticking when retracting, the tension may be set too low.

Go cautiously with the filing. Remove only that which is causing a 'problem'.

Welcome to this forum! Keep us posted re your progress or lack of it!

mbcabinetmaker · Post by **mbcabinetmaker** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 7:41 am

Catfaber

Welcome to the forum. It sounds like you covered all the bases but try to add about another half turn more to the quill tension and see if it helps. If it still binds you probably have a bad quill.

Glad to have you join!

mikelst · Post by **mikelst** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:56 am

Welcome to the forum.
I didn't see anything about lubricating the sheaves or cleaning out the motor pan. I would highly recommend that both of these be done as well as checking speed control quadrant assembly for lubrication.

If possible pictures of the issues would help with identifying the causes.
We like pictures.... Shiny....

rayjack · Post by **rayjack** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 12:32 pm

"Persuaded my husband to help me get it out of the car, and turn it right side up once I put the legs on. Figured out how to get the lower saw guard off it (looks like Original Owner didn't use upper guard much--even though he apparently only used it as a tablesaw; all the other parts are still boxed up."

Just read your amazing post. You mention your husband. Would you consider getting rid of him and marrying me?

Ray

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 1:35 pm

rayjack wrote:Just read your amazing post. You mention your husband. Would you consider getting rid of him and marrying me?

Ray

She doesn't have a passport! Or are you trying to 'relocate'?:D

BTW East Tennessee is a lot different from the olde sod. Only thing flat are the parking lots(and not all of those). Hills(mountains) and TVA lakes. ICYAW, I LIKE it there!

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:53 pm

I'll add my welcome to the Forum, catfaber!:)

Loved your story of your great beginning!
Was also impressed by your complete sign on with location and everything! Nice profile! Glad to help If possible, however (since I'm a bit Odd Looking) I'm not going to get near your car.

But then maybe you were talking about the Shopsmith.

I think the above tips from others will help you to solve your quill issues.

You will find all the help we can give, here on the forum and in the "Sawdust Sessions" and the "Video Tips" in the "Hands On Line" portion of the Shopsmith web sites. http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Sawdust_Sessions.htm

Also Look for the Shopsmith Owner's Web site and the "Shopsmith owner's Personal Home Page".

lv2wdwrk · Post by **lv2wdwrk** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:04 pm

Catfaber - You might want to go to the following thread and add your location to the map.

http://shopsmith.net/forums/showthread.htm?t=4107