Shopsmith Forums

Thanks, everyone, for the guidance.

The set screw was removed from the chuck insert.

I believe that I will need this, but I will call Shopsmith tomorrow to find out about it (versus the knurled collar): https://www.shopsmith.com/product-page/ ... le-adapter.

I fear damage to the quill shaft and/or the insert, and dread the thought of a teardown to replace the quill shaft.

hjlssfor1,

Herre is a picture of everything in place. Outwardly the Spindle Knob (knurled collar) will look the same. The difference, as David pointed out, is the internal distance to the bearing. When properly in place the Spindle Knob's set screw is in line with the Reverse Tapered Flat on the end of the Spindle.

_ .
It may be better to remove the Quill from the Headstock to continue to lightly tap, rotate, repeat as has been suggested. Use a piece of 1/2" doweling to put against the end of the Spindle that is longer than the Nova Chuck assembly having it stick out a couple inches with the chuck in place. Hold the Quill with the Nove Chuck in place and the Dowel against a solid surface. Doing this outside the Headstock can avoid possible damage to the Headstock casting and/or Quill lock parts. It may also be helpful to remove the set screw completely and put a few drops of penetrating oil in the set screw hole. Once off check the Spindle end for any damage that may cause future problems.

You said,

I fear damage to the quill shaft and/or the insert, and dread the thought of a teardown to replace the quill shaft.

If there is any damage requiring replacement of the Quil's Spindle do know that, like the Spindle Knob, there is more than one version of the Quill Assembly and parts between versions may not be interchangeable. A complete Quill Assembly is interchangeable for all Poly V Drive Mark V headstocks made since mid 1961.

hjlssfor1 wrote: Sun Jul 12, 2026 11:42 am ...I believe that I will need this, but I will call Shopsmith tomorrow to find out about it (versus the knurled collar): https://www.shopsmith.com/product-page/ ... le-adapter...

You don't need that adapter if you use a Nova Insert Chuck. And you would never use anything in lieu of the knurled collar. The knurled collar is always on the quill, removed only to service the quill bearings and then should be re-installed.

The Nova G3, for example, is available in versions threaded for a specific arbor or the Insert version. You would use this adapter, IIRC, on a threaded version that is specifically 1" X 8TPI. So there are two different versions of G3 that can be used on the Shopsmith 5/8" arbor, one uses this adapter and the other uses the Insert that's stuck on your machine.

- David