Yet another speed dial question

miloss · Post by **miloss** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 2:56 pm

On my newly acquired 510 (new SS owner here), the speed dial does not sit parallel to the headstock, but protrudes on the right where the tension spring sits behind it. And the set screw doesn't want to remain tightened. Would a trip to Whittier for a speed control upgrade help this situation(s)? Or is there some other problem to look for? Thanks.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:38 pm

Whittier, CA or Whittier, AK or elsewhere.

I would suggest that you remove the speed control so that you can adequately inspect it. The speed dial is attached to the speed control by that set screw. If it is not square to the headstock, I would assume that either the speed dial or the quadrant is deformed. The end of the shaft (where the set screw applies pressure) should be a clean, well defined depression in the shaft. The shaft (a worm gear) should be straight and it should fit flush to the headstock and is secured by three screws.

Pictures would help.

Please consider completing your profile so that we know what part of the country you are from.

miloss · Post by **miloss** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 3:52 pm

dusty wrote:Whittier, CA or Whittier, AK or elsewhere.

Sorry, based on my reading of other threads, I assumed that the guy who does the speed control knob refurb on ebay was common enough knowledge that the reference to Whittier would be understood. My bad.
I'll take a closer look at the shaft for straightness when I get home, but I recall there being play (wobble) in the handle when put onto the shaft and before the set screw is tightened. That was why I was suspecting that I might need the gear replacement on the handle.

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:02 pm

miloss wrote:Sorry, based on my reading of other threads, I assumed that the guy who does the speed control knob refurb on ebay was common enough knowledge that the reference to Whittier would be understood. My bad.
I'll take a closer look at the shaft for straightness when I get home, but I recall there being play (wobble) in the handle when put onto the shaft and before the set screw is tightened. That was why I was suspecting that I might need the gear replacement on the handle.

See Ebay Reference # 320651085187 from seller grany555. He does outstanding work. He uses a steel gear in place of the formed aluminum gear on on the Speed Control Handle sold by Shopsmith.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:44 pm

miloss wrote:On my newly acquired 510 (new SS owner here), the speed dial does not sit parallel to the headstock, but protrudes on the right where the tension spring sits behind it. And the set screw doesn't want to remain tightened. Would a trip to Whittier for a speed control upgrade help this situation(s)? Or is there some other problem to look for? Thanks.

Sounds to me like the speed dial was not pushed firmly onto the shaft. Or that the set screw didn't go directly into the recess on the shaft that was designed for the screw.

Also check that the leaf spring has not been bent so much as to not allow the speed control dial to go onto the shaft entirely. The tension on that spring can be adjusted by hand fairly easily.