power coupler for jointer

[Nick]

Bob is correct, both the shafts sticking out of the rear end of you Mark V headstock should be 5/8" in diameter. If your idler shaft is small, the headstock has either been modified or -- more likely -- jerry-rigged. You can bush it as Bob describes, but you should consider installing a new idler shaft.

With all good wishes,

[glen55k]

Thank you Bob and Nick. This is the answer I was looking for. I agree that the preferred way to fix this would be with the new idler shaft and I want to do that to bring the machine into spec. However time and $$$ will have to delay that and I will go with a bushing for now. In fact I hope to update over time and get this beauty right up to date. It runs very well. My mind will rest easier now and my faith in Shopsmith engineering is restored. I can understand now why everyone was confused by my questions, I am glad that I persued it though. Perhaps I could have explained it better but we got to where we needed to get. I have little woodworking experience but considerable mechanical experience and I had already measured the idler shaft with calipers and it is exactly .500. I didn't want to just order the new shaft until I was sure of the facts. Thank you all for your patience with my problem. Hmmm let me see if I can find another problem for you guys.