Shopsmith Forums

From your photo, it looked to me like it was just the edge of Headrest casting (part #517768) that was broken. I guess my old eyes aren't as good as I thought they were.

[ATTACH]3668[/ATTACH]

[quote="tango"]Check out this pic of the damage]

Although not as 'pretty' as the original, a 3/16" bolt on both sides of the 'original' bolt would be an adequate way to 'fix' it. This would eliminate the need to actually replace it.

Hi tango! Let me add my welcome to the Forum. Here's what I find hard to get my mind around - You joined the forum today - You are in Belgium - and I am in California, yet we can converse to this extent so quickly! In case you didn't guess, I'm an old guy and a little removed from these modern things.

Also I wish to Thank You for your service to our Country!!:) We need guys like you!

Here's hoping you can soon get your needed casters and anything else you need so you can keep on turning or whatever. There are some real good folks here to help - at least verbally.

tango!

Thank you for serving! Your enthusiasm is welcome! May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your enemies' (or at least the movers') armpits.

[quote="tango"]anmius,

thanks for the insight, but its actually the SS itself thats damaged]

Don't fell too bad, Tango. I've had my SS since 1980 - got it while I was stationed at Ft Gordon. Luckily, I had better mover than the ones you got stuck with -- and -- I just found this forum about two weeks ago. I have spent most of my time reading the different threads and learning all kinds of new things about my SS -- these guys are really knowlegeable abd great with information.

Welcome - from another newbie.

Awesome suggestion; I'll give it a shot. Honestly though, the damage is not really affecting any part of the SS. Its built so well that that one little bolt really isn't much of a concern.

Thanks, nice smiley

The second Shopsmith I bought many years ago had the exact same damage when I got it. On it I just used a "fender" washer on that bolt. The washer was maybe an inch and a half O. D. with only a 1/4" hole. I put the washer in a vise and bent one side to fit the SS so that it curved over the curve of the end casting snugly and bolted it on. Not pretty but not ugly either. It is still quite solid. I ran that one just yesterday and I would probably have fixed it that way again.
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I have a great neighbor who would have welded the casting in and filled in the missing bit but he refuses to charge me so I try to not ask him to weld something like that too often. I have a welding background but little experience with cast aluminum. My neighbor operates a boat propeller rebuilding business and often does fill-in welding to replace missing sections. I am told by those who know such things that he is one of the top prop men in the country and does a lot of very expensive racing props. I just know that he works long hours, is always covered up with work and makes a whole lot more money than I ever did.

[quote="tango"]Awesome suggestion]
Just realized your 'location'. You probably do not have 3/16" bolts there(I am assuming metric is what IS there). Any thing close WOULD work.

BTW: Notice my use of the 'QUOTE' function here. It removes any ambiguity as to which previous post I am responding to! You can edit the quote(judiciously) just as you do your response. Click on 'quote' rather than 'reply'

BTW Do you have the piece that broke off? If so this thread my be of interest. https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=3271

Welcome tango. You are going to love this forum. It is VERY active. You post a question and I assure you that you will have relies typically within a few minutes to a few hours, no matter what time you post.

I'm a first time ShopSmith newbie. Purchased a 1955 "Greenie" in March. Currently in the process of a fully mechanical and cosmetic restoration. Things continue to go right and I should be done this weekend.

These guys have been great providing information and direction to help me with my project. It is a pleasure being part of this group. You'll see that they actually motivate you to explore.

Proud to have another military guy here with us. We all wish you the best and look forward to conversing.

Here's a good linkthat will get you deeper into SS world.