Shopsmith Forums

IMHO the reason for prmindartmouth's success is the gasket material. Cork is better at sealing irregular pressure.

If you want to stop the leaking it is as simple as Permatex 2 the non-hardening form-a gasket/sealant. I used it with the existing gasket and since I've done so no more leaking period.

I use this stuff all the time and have for years and years. Also pick up some carb cleaner for cleaning up afterward.

Ed

I have a lot of different materials and chemicals available to me in the automotive repair industry. Once I examine the surfaces to be sealed and the air bleed hole that needs to remain open, I'll determine what route to take.

IIRC the mating surfaces are ribbed, so flattening them is not likely a good thing.

I like Ed's solution(gasket sealant). Please add your expert recommendation as to 'product'.

I have two to plug.

FWIW, on one of mine I only cut the outer profile and punched 5 holes(4 screw and 1 vent). I made sure the vent hole also provided an air path to the crankcase.

Well, this evening decided to tear into the "jig", have a couple projects where I can use it soon.

Removed the whole crank housing from the tubes so I could put it in a vise on the bench, and so as not to lose oil. Turns out, there wasn't much oil in there.

Removed the crank housing cover.

[ATTACH]21193[/ATTACH]

I'm assuming that the extra larger hole in the upper right of the housing is the "said" air bleed. It must be what several have mentioned here to leave open. Well, I certainly don't see any other hole anywhere leading into or out of the housing.

You can see that the gasket here is covering most of the hole.

[ATTACH]21194[/ATTACH]

A better view of "said" air bleed.

Looks like the gasket surface is flat and not ribbed. It should hold a gasket and/or some sealer well.


Imagine my surprise when I discover that the hole goes nowhere!
[ATTACH]21195[/ATTACH]
In the photo, you can see metal at the bottom of the hole. I probed to make sure what I was seeing.


Looks to me like the housing only holds a couple ounces of oil according to the oil plug. When I get to the point of putting in the oil, I plan to measure how many cc's it takes. You can see the back side of the plug in the photo.
[ATTACH]21196[/ATTACH]


Some of the "akempucky" at the bottom of the housing. (hope I spelled it right this time)
Planning complete teardown this weekend.
[ATTACH]21197[/ATTACH]

My theory on the oil bleed?

I'm thinking, with only about 1/2 inch of oil level in the housing, there is plenty of volume in the housing for slow pressure buildup even with constant running.

Also, I can imagine pressure would be released thru the upper bushing in which the shaft moves up and down.

Any corrections or thoughts welcome!

pieceseeker wrote:Well, this evening decided to tear into the "jig", have a couple projects where I can use it soon.

Removed the whole crank housing from the tubes so I could put it in a vise on the bench, and so as not to lose oil. Turns out, there wasn't much oil in there.

Removed the crank housing cover.

[ATTACH]21193[/ATTACH]

I'm assuming that the extra larger hole in the upper right of the housing is the "said" air bleed. It must be what several have mentioned here to leave open. Well, I certainly don't see any other hole anywhere leading into or out of the housing.

You can see that the gasket here is covering most of the hole.

[ATTACH]21194[/ATTACH]

A better view of "said" air bleed.

Looks like the gasket surface is flat and not ribbed. It should hold a gasket and/or some sealer well.


Imagine my surprise when I discover that the hole goes nowhere!
[ATTACH]21195[/ATTACH]
In the photo, you can see metal at the bottom of the hole. I probed to make sure what I was seeing.


Looks to me like the housing only holds a couple ounces of oil according to the oil plug. When I get to the point of putting in the oil, I plan to measure how many cc's it takes. You can see the back side of the plug in the photo.
[ATTACH]21196[/ATTACH]


Some of the "akempucky" at the bottom of the housing. (hope I spelled it right this time)
Planning complete teardown this weekend.
[ATTACH]21197[/ATTACH]

My theory on the oil bleed?

I'm thinking, with only about 1/2 inch of oil level in the housing, there is plenty of volume in the housing for slow pressure buildup even with constant running.

Also, I can imagine pressure would be released thru the upper bushing in which the shaft moves up and down.

Any corrections or thoughts welcome!

Look on the side of the housing in line with the hole. There is a small hole that goes into the side of that larger hole. That hole is prone to being plugged.

Looks like a po used some gasket sealer that almost plugged the vent hole.

The oil level is up to the bottom of the fill plug.(with the crank case in 'operating' position)

There should be no pressure relief through the upper bushing.

Pick yer 'sealant' carefully. The po had less than good results.

The original gasket is badly deteriorated. It was initially much wider. It appears to have split to less than half its original width.

Well sir, I stand corrected! And yes, that teeny tiny hole was plugged.

Just seems that a small metal bleed tube and cap at the top of the housing or on the side close to the top would have been too easy, but everything and/or extra machining costs something!

And then again, if it was stored or shipped in an unusual position, a lot of oil would run out. I wonder if those Jigsaws were shipped dry when new and initial setup included filling the housing?

Highlighted area from the owner's manual seems to imply pieceseeker is right......likely shipped without oil (3oz of 10W needed).
[ATTACH]21203[/ATTACH]

Regarding jpg's comments about the gasket, here is what a relatively undamaged one looks like. By playing with the size, you might be able to use it as a pattern :
[ATTACH]21204[/ATTACH]

I used the cover as a template. Outer surface and 5 holes only. 4 mounting holes and one for the vent. That vent hole needs to be large enough to provide air bleed path to both the casting hole and the crankcase interior. Left middle area as is(did not cut it out).

If ye be concerned about oil volume(oil not getting all the way out to the cover), add a sixth hole in the gasket near the bottom.

I punched the holes.