Shopsmith Forums

bucksaw wrote:The reason I asked the original question is because I own a Greenie that I believe is from 1953 (serial #216612) that I'm starting a restore on. I'm pretty sure that my headstock has a single bearing quill and I'd like to change it out to a 2 bearing quill but on the Shopsmith site the conversion kit is only useable on 1984 and newer 500's. I've been looking on eBay and see that I can probably get a newer used headstock in the $200 to $300 range.

So I guess the real question is: How do I identify a headstock that came from the factory with a 2 bearing quill? From the previous post it looks like I can use the serial number.

You can determine which quill type was initially part of a headstock by using the serial number BUT....you should not rely on that for determining what quill type is installed in a headstock that you purchase online.

You had best ask the outright question of the seller and if you can not get a straight answer be cautious. Buyer Beware.

I'll have to find the video but Nick said (in one of the videos) you can tell by inserting the 5/32" allen wrench in the end of the quill (you obviously have to remove the quill to do this). If the wrench goes in nearly all the way you have a single bearing quill. If the wrench does not, you have a two bearing quill.

I'm sure someone will find that video before I do because I have to leave soon for most of the day. However, I will look and post here when I find it if it hasn't already been posted.

The way to determine if you have a two bearing quill is on the Quill Maintenance Video in the 10 Nov 2007 Sawdust Session at the 5:00 minute mark.
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS107/SS107_Quill_Maintenance.htm

Hi,

A couple of comments.

First, you don't need to stick anything in the quill to "see" if it is one or two bearing. Take a look at:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=2719
It is very simple to see.

Second, if you call shopsmith they can give you information and order for you the items to take a gilmer belt system and transform it so you can use the new two bearing quill. (That will take care of the spline count issue) This might be a better way to go then having to buy another headstock.... but anyway there is that option.

Third, there have been several people who have done conversions of the old quills so you could have one with new improved bearing or even one with two bearings... they just did not come from shopsmith that way.

Forth, just because the machine is an older one does not mean the the quill "needs" to be replaced. A great number of users have never felt the need to upgrade to two bearings and only replace the bearing if needed.

I know a guy who got a used greenie, he came to me because he knew I had a shopsmith and ask me about the two bearing quill, then ordered the parts to do the swap over... in the mean time he started using the machine and was happy with it just the way it was. He has all the parts so maybe someday.... or maybe not. That was about 6 years ago now, I happen to talked to him about mid Dec. (hadn't talked to him in a couple of years) he still is happy with it the way it is... Just another perspective.

Ed

reible wrote:Hi,

A couple of comments.

First, you don't need to stick anything in the quill to "see" if it is one or two bearing. Take a look at:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=2719
It is very simple to see.

Second, if you call shopsmith they can give you information and order for you the items to take a gilmer belt system and transform it so you can use the new two bearing quill. (That will take care of the spline count issue) This might be a better way to go then having to buy another headstock.... but anyway there is that option.

Third, there have been several people who have done conversions of the old quills so you could have one with new improved bearing or even one with two bearings... they just did not come from shopsmith that way.

Forth, just because the machine is an older one does not mean the the quill "needs" to be replaced. A great number of users have never felt the need to upgrade to two bearings and only replace the bearing if needed.

I know a guy who got a used greenie, he came to me because he knew I had a shopsmith and ask me about the two bearing quill, then ordered the parts to do the swap over... in the mean time he started using the machine and was happy with it just the way it was. He has all the parts so maybe someday.... or maybe not. That was about 6 years ago now, I happen to talked to him about mid Dec. (hadn't talked to him in a couple of years) he still is happy with it the way it is... Just another perspective.

Ed

I agree with ED on all his comments. I have converted a few Greenie headstocks (with access hole) to Poly-V Drives at customer's request. I got to keep the Gilmer Drives. I have been replacing the single quill bearing with a 202KDD5 (C1 grade) bearing on both the Gilmer and Poly-V quills. I find this give me the same precision as the double bearing quill at a much cheaper price (my opinion checked with a dial indicator).

I collect all the Greenie headstocks I can find, rebuild them and use them on my MINI and SHORTY Shopsmiths that I sell to local customers. I add an access hole to the headstock without one and add oiling holes to the control and floating sheaves. I test and rebuild the Gilmer clutch if needed. I find the 3/4 HP motor is more than satifactory for all Shopsmith functions with maybe the exception of ripping hardwood boards which I have not tested.