Shopsmith Forums

JMHO;)

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?p=41340#post41340

A bit of a distraction in the middle (carriage stuff) so do not skip the 'leveling' steps. These are the 'co-planer' adjustments Dusty alluded to. We agree on their importance, but differ in method of obtaining it. Either is suitable if being co-planer results. IMHO all four need to be parallel to each other. That insures all possible pairs of tubes are each co-planer.


Rotating the way tubes as Dusty suggested may compensate for way tubes that may be bowed(ever so slightly).

A wixey(or equivalent) would be a better tool than the spirit level shown.

At the SS site if you look under lift assist, there is a visdo on installing it, but at the beginning there is a tip on how to best align the tubes for best ease of movement.

wrmnfzy wrote:At the SS site if you look under lift assist, there is a visdo on installing it, but at the beginning there is a tip on how to best align the tubes for best ease of movement.

Do remember to retighten ALL set screws!;) Older models have the base set screws underneath!:eek:

Received my lift assist yesterday and installed last night. Had trouble as I couldn't lock unit after installation. Found out as it kept wanting to go upright by itself. After some checking found that the front way tube was not all the way in and after loosening the set screws and brackets for the lift assist and some not so gentle persuasion I was able to re-tighten then lock. The lift assist is a God send for someone with a bad back.

wrmnfzy wrote:Received my lift assist yesterday and installed last night. Had trouble as I couldn't lock unit after installation. Found out as it kept wanting to go upright by itself. After some checking found that the front way tube was not all the way in and after loosening the set screws and brackets for the lift assist and some not so gentle persuasion I was able to re-tighten then lock. The lift assist is a God send for someone with a bad back.

I don't exactly understand what the issue was with your installation but that does not matter. I am glad that you have it resolved and that you can so readily see the value of the lift assist.

I have one Mark V with and one without the lift assist. I can now really see the value. Fortunately, my shorty will be a drill press most of the time.

Did you re-adjust the tie bar clamp?????

Yes thanks, and it is different then in the install video as there is only one tie bar.

wrmnfzy wrote:Yes thanks, and it is different then in the install video as there is only one tie bar.

I was referring to the bar that ties the way tubes and rests on the 'other' end.

Unlike Dusty, I need to unnerstan what was the 'issue'. A loose front way tube will not allow 'self raising' unless the tie bar clamp is also loose.

When I would try and lock it down the triangluar part of the tie bar would strike the receiver before allowing it to seat on one side. It appeared to me after looking at it for a while that the front way tube was too long (not really, just not seated on the right end properly. I loosened the right end tie bar along with the assist brackets on that tube and then cajoled the tube (beat the ####out of it til it seated. (rubber mallet, block of wood and love taps) Hope this helps in the explanation, as usual my lack of the proper nomenclature makes explaining a bit difficult. The good news is all is well now. Thanks for the help.

When I installed the double tilt (Marks 7) upgrade the instructions suggested turning the Mark V upside down. I was pleasantly blown away by how much easier the install, alignment of all four tubes and tightening worked. Hey the weight is off of the tubes, fittings and legs. I suggest trying that method. Jim