Shopsmith Forums

Thanks again folks!

In my first post here, I showed a picture of the Mounting Bolt and Spacer. The picture below includes a non-OEM Mounting Bolt I received with a Jig Saw. It is the one on the left. You can see the difference in the overall length of the bolt and the length of the threaded end. This bolt can be used but does require washers to use as spacers. Without spacers the bolt does come in contact with the Drive Sleeve Spacer inside the Headstock before the Jig Saw is tightly mounted. This non-OEM Bolt can easily be spotted, when seen on its own, by the difference in the bolt's smooth sided head.

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So now that I have a bolt thanks to a kind soul, I have a new problem. One of the leveling set screws is seized completely.

The slotted head is chewed up a bit so I’m concerned about using too much force on it. I’ve treated it with penetrating oil several times and used a rubber mallet to try loosening it, all to no avail. I am extremely hesitant to try drilling it out because I’m certain to damage the threads at the very least.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to how to get this thing out?

Bill,

Can you post a picture of the Set Screw in the Main Frame? I may have suggestions based on what I see. In the meantime, continue with the penetrating oil.

I will post a photo this evening when I get home. Thanks, Russ.

Here are a couple of different angles of the top and one of the bottom.

Bill,

Keep trying penetrating oil alternating from the top (slot end) and the bottom (oval end) to see if it can get in there and "loosen" things up. Since the screw slot is "buggered up" you could try cutting the slot a little deeper. Since you were able to get the Jam Nut off it may work easier to turn the set screw in to come out the bottom as opposed to turning it to come out the top. You may have to try vice grips to turn the set screw with if you can't move it with a screwdriver. That option leaves only one way out for the set screw to be removed.

Hopefully it won't come down to drilling it out. For that I understand your concern about messing up the threads in the Main Frame casting.

If you have or know someone who has a welder, you can weld a nut onto it. The nut gives you something to grab and the heat breaks it loose. It will come right out.

Good suggestions y’all, thank you. I don’t know a welder so I’ll just continue to work at it for now. I wonder though, since the idea of welding a nut on, if the same might be accomplished with something like JB Weld. I have little experience with that, so what do you think?

JB Weld won't do it, heat is the key