Base Reassembly(A)

[greasemonkey2275]

Salty,

When I restored my SS I tightened down the bench tubes using the old German system of gutentight!

[dusty]

gutentight sehr gutentight

[saltydog65]

Thanks to dusty, JPG and greasemonkey2275 for your words of wisdom.

I have two Mark V's - one from 1957 (a "greenie") which my father bought when I was about 14. He wasn't a woodworker and I've pretty much been the only user. I recently restored this machine. When I removed the bench tubes and way tubes, I noticed that the bench tubes are larger (1 7/8") in diam and also heavier wall than my newer mark V which is from 1987 (1 3/4" diam bench and way tubes). Do any of you know why this change was made and when it was made?

I recently acquired the 1987 Mk V 500 and a bunch of accessories at an estate sale as a job transfer had left my '57 greenie in storage in another city for a couple of years. Now that I'm retired, I've had time to retrieve the old greenie and to rebuild the headstock on the '87. The tubes on the '87 were in excellent condition but seemed loose as there was visible play in the bench particularly when the machine was in the drill press mode. As hard as it is to get to them, the way tube set screws were tight. But I did find the bench tube bolts to be fairly or completely loose on one end. However, even after tightening, there is a noticeable out-of-plumb condition when in drill press mode, while the bench is level. Does anyone know how to correct this?

Sorry for the ramble, but sometimes a little background helps frame a problem.

[JPG]

I do not know 'why', but the Greenies and I believe the gilmer Goldies had 1 7/8" bench tubes. That places 'when' in the very late 50's to very early 60's.


It is intentionally 'out of plumb' when raised to vertical. It should be leaning more towards that end(rotated slightly past plumb). That assists(actually makes it work) the vertical locking screw/depression to prevent it falling back down.

[WorkinClass]

I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind tightening those screws to the point of 'crushing' the tube. Breakdown bar (with/without pipe) not required for this!!! [/quote]

I would have to say this occurred... Definitely because of negligence, but more because someone dropped "their end" while helping to move, or something to that effect... I would guess Dusty is correct in saying, "Now you can gorilla the clamp bolts down as tight as you like (until you strip the threads in the casting).", even just tubes w/o wood plugs... Hence the need for helicoils and keencerts in aluminum where high torque applications are necessary.