Shopsmith Forums

futralwoodworks wrote:Thanks for the info guys. I have one I inherited taken completely (and I do mean completly) apart. How do I tell if it is a two bearing and how can I tell if it's a 500, 510, or 520 (I think those are the different numbers I've seend floating around? Also my serial num is 35051 and I couldn't tell from the chart on shopsmith.com what year it was manf. BTW I am loving this site. All you guys are full of knowledge and so willing to share I really appreciate it!!!!!:D

You could also pull the quill and take a look. You should be able to look down the shaft and see the bearing. As I understand it, if it's about half way or so down the shaft - you have the 2 bearing type. If it's further (closer to the front), you have the 1 bearing model. You can slip a SS hex wrench in there to get an idea of the distance.

Bob

beeg wrote:What color is your SS? What do the tables look like? The serial number you gave looks to be a digit short. Can ya post a pic?

The SS is grey and that is the whole SS on the machine. I will get a pic up with all numbers I can find on machine and motor. Thanks!

bdeweese wrote:You could also pull the quill and take a look. You should be able to look down the shaft and see the bearing. As I understand it, if it's about half way or so down the shaft - you have the 2 bearing type. If it's further (closer to the front), you have the 1 bearing model. You can slip a SS hex wrench in there to get an idea of the distance.

Bob

Thanks Bob. I already have the quill out. I will give it a look.

futralwoodworks wrote:Thanks Bob. I already have the quill out. I will give it a look.

Be aware that the single bearing quills have a spacer near the 'top' end. Do not mistake it for a bearing.

JPG40504 wrote:Be aware that the single bearing quills have a spacer near the 'top' end. Do not mistake it for a bearing.

This is a great point. I remember in one of Nick's videos where even he initially thought he had a 2 bearing quill but on further inspection determined it was the spacer he was looking at. I believe the 2 bearing quill may also have the washer/spacer behind it, but it should come out. I recently had my quill out and the washer came out as well. I could look down the shaft and definitely see bearing. However, if the washer wasn't removed I wouldn't have been able to tell.

Bob

bdeweese wrote:This is a great point. I remember in one of Nick's videos where even he initially thought he had a 2 bearing quill but on further inspection determined it was the spacer he was looking at. I believe the 2 bearing quill may also have the washer/spacer behind it, but it should come out. I recently had my quill out and the washer came out as well. I could look down the shaft and definitely see bearing. However, if the washer wasn't removed I wouldn't have been able to tell.

Bob

I have never seen a spacer/washer on any 2 bearing quill.

With the quill out, look into the spline end of the housing while turning the spindle. If ALL of what you see inside is turning, you're seeing a spacer and have a single-bearing quill. On the other hand, if the outer rim of what you see is stationary (attached to the quill housing while you turn the spindle), you're seeing the outer race of a bearing and have a two-bearing quill.

billmayo wrote:I have never seen a spacer/washer on any 2 bearing quill.

Oops - You're absolutely right! I took the old single bearing quill out, which had the spacer. Already have the 2 bearing quill to replace it with, but haven't reinstalled it yet. Forgot that it was the single bearing quill that I had removed.

Thanks for clarifying!

Bob

bdeweese wrote:Oops - You're absolutely right! I took the old single bearing quill out, which had the spacer. Already have the 2 bearing quill to replace it with, but haven't reinstalled it yet. Forgot that it was the single bearing quill that I had removed.

Thanks for clarifying!

Bob

Thought maybe you had a two bearing quill that someone (PO) had inserted the washer when upgrading.

With the two bearing quill, there is no need for that shaft centering washer. The two bearing quill holds centering without it.