Way tubes vs Bench tubes

wannabewoodworker · Post by **wannabewoodworker** » Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:50 pm

My 54' Greenie has equal length tubes and diameters are the same for both. I checked tonight. But there is one tube that I think was a bench tube that has a plastic collar on it that does not move. It is gray in color and I have no idea what it's purpose is????

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 8:37 am

wannabewoodworker wrote:My 54' Greenie has equal length tubes and diameters are the same for both. I checked tonight. But there is one tube that I think was a bench tube that has a plastic collar on it that does not move. It is gray in color and I have no idea what it's purpose is????

It is easy to tell the bench tubes from the way tubes. The way tubes always have the little rings from the set screw tips pressed into them. The bench tubes do not.

wannabewoodworker · Post by **wannabewoodworker** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:21 am

Thanks Robinson. But does anyone know what that plastic ring on the tube is for??? What is it's purpose in life???

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:52 am

wannabewoodworker wrote:Thanks Robinson. But does anyone know what that plastic ring on the tube is for??? What is it's purpose in life???

Might it be about 3/8" wide" and look like this?

[ATTACH]8371[/ATTACH]

If so it is a spacer to 'automacically' set the carriage/headstock spacing to align the saw in the slot(only works with 1 1/4" arbors).

It belongs on the rear WAY tube. If it was on a 'bench' tube, somebody has 'played' with the tubes! You may need to verify what end castings you have. There are two versions(for 1 7/8" tubes and 1 3/4" tubes). They vary so as to properly space the bench tube spacing. The 1 3/4" have a 1/16" projection on the alignment shoulder so as to center the tubes in the casting hole.

wannabewoodworker · Post by **wannabewoodworker** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:19 am

JPG,
You rule! That is the ring I have on my Greenie. I was not sure if it was a bench tube or a way tube as it was in bad shape when I picked it up and just took it apart enough to get it in the truck and get home.

I am sure though that the tubes on this machine are identical in size. I have not measured them for length but they sure look as though they are the same length as well. I will check this afternoon.