Shopsmith Forums

When I first purchased my used 510 it had the same issue. I discovered I needed two do two things. Please be certain that lock has been removed before beginning. First I removed all four of the nuts from the bolts under the end table. This allowed me to remove the table and I realized both front and rear tubes were jammed in place. Secondly (lubricant first a great idea) I placed a block of wood on the top of the tubes and gently tapped each one (separately). Once they moved I removed them and needed to use a file to removed spots that made them round again. Then after cleaning I used Johnsons Original formula wax to polish both tubes and the insides of the housing where the tubes will slide, and then carefully reassembled the tubes to the top and began the process of leveling and squaring that table to the main table. I hope this helps. One additional point, when reinserting the lock tube be careful to turn the lock blocks so they are even with the inside of the shopsmith frame. This will enable them to lock firmly without placing undue pressure on either tube. I am willing to bet that someone having miss adjusted those locks is the original cause of your current issue. Good luck and keep the questions coming. Jim

fjimp wrote:When I first purchased my used 510 it had the same issue. I discovered I needed two do two things. Please be certain that lock has been removed before beginning. First I removed all four of the nuts from the bolts under the end table. This allowed me to remove the table and I realized both front and rear tubes were jammed in place. Secondly (lubricant first a great idea) I placed a block of wood on the top of the tubes and gently tapped each one (separately). Once they moved I removed them and needed to use a file to removed spots that made them round again. Then after cleaning I used Johnsons Original formula wax to polish both tubes and the insides of the housing where the tubes will slide, and then carefully reassembled the tubes to the top and began the process of leveling and squaring that table to the main table. I hope this helps. One additional point, when reinserting the lock tube be careful to turn the lock blocks so they are even with the inside of the shopsmith frame. This will enable them to lock firmly without placing undue pressure on either tube. I am willing to bet that someone having miss adjusted those locks is the original cause of your current issue. Good luck and keep the questions coming. Jim

From the picture that was posted, it appears that the extension table is all the way down - up and out being the only way to go.

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Dusty that lever board and block are a great idea. I have had a few of those tables stuck in some of the older machines I have purchased. I do not believe that the adjustment bolts would cause that type of binding unless someone went crazy and racked it way out of proportion.

mbcabinetmaker wrote:Dusty that lever board and block are a great idea. I have had a few of those tables stuck in some of the older machines I have purchased. I do not believe that the adjustment bolts would cause that type of binding unless someone went crazy and racked it way out of proportion.

Like all things mechanical, you must be careful when applying that mechanical advantage. Too much pressure and something breaks.

Whenever I have had one stuck like this, I find that once it is out all that is necessary is to clean the tubes and the holes into which they go. Sawdust and wax is normally the culprit.

dusty wrote: Sawdust and wax is normally the culprit.

Probably and cocked a bit. Also possible in this case is sitting a good long time with dampness powering two dissimilar metals doing their own electrolysis.

I once replaced a water heater in an old mobile home that was plumbed at the factory without a dielectric coupling between copper pipe and an aluminum tank in the heater. The copper was still good but it absolutely ate the inlet of that heavy aluminum tank. Funny stuff happens...


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