Shopsmith Forums

I have acquired many Shopsmiths that were in sheds, barns, porches, car ports and just left outside. I had to, many times, drill out the quill and quill feed retaining set screws to remove the quill and quill feed assy. This occurs most often if the putty has been removed from the set screw holes. I use steel self tapping threaded inserts so I can still use the normal set screws (5/16"). The steel threaded insert works really well in any aluminum housing for restoring the original size and thread without future problems.

I have used the blue LocTite for many years without encounting any problems in removing the nut/bolt/screw. I only use the red LocTite when I do not plan to remove the nut/bolt/screw in the future.

Bill Mayo

ldh wrote:Jim,
A steel bolts into aluminum threads is at best not a great idea. Many applications require Anti-Seize compounds. Like I said, I have probably just been lucky. A few months back I was upgrading an old SS bandsaw and found one of the Eccentric Mounting Tube set screw seized and ended up having to over size the hole and tap for a 3/8 set screw. It just seemed to be the natural oxidation of the aluminum reacting with the steel that caused it to seize.
ldh

Good thing I didn't try to use the red loctite. I purchased the oem part from SS. Still waiting on order though.

billmayo wrote:I have acquired many Shopsmiths that were in sheds, barns, porches, car ports and just left outside. I had to, many times, drill out the quill and quill feed retaining set screws to remove the quill and quill feed assy. This occurs most often if the putty has been removed from the set screw holes. I use steel self tapping threaded inserts so I can still use the normal set screws (5/16"). The steel threaded insert works really well in any aluminum housing for restoring the original size and thread without future problems.

I have used the blue LocTite for many years without encounting any problems in removing the nut/bolt/screw. I only use the red LocTite when I do not plan to remove the nut/bolt/screw in the future.

Bill Mayo

Bill,
Do you use the HeliCoil thread repair kits? Glad to see you also use the blue loctite for a little extra security. I have never found any use for the red on any Shopsmith equipment. Great tool and great forum.
ldh

No, I do not use the HeliCoil thread repair kit as they are expensive. They require a special tap, insertion tool and a tang breakoff tool. I only do a couple a year so went with what I think is a cheap method that works. I had used self tapping metal inserts but have not found any lately. I will use the following insert from McMaster-Carr.com .

90259A139 Steel Self-Locking Thin Wall Insert 5/16"-18 Int Thread, 7/16"-14 Ext Thread, 7/16" L In stock at $10.25 per Pack This product is sold in Packs of 10

I will drill the 5/16" set screw out with a 1/4" drill bit. Remove the item it was holding and try to chisel the remaining shell out. If not able to, then I will drill for the 7/16 tap. I will use a 7/16" - 14 tap and a 5/16" bolt and nut to insert the self-locking insert. If any of the steel insert is left showing, I will grind it level with the surrounding surface.

I have found the set screw in the Poly-V pulley on the Drive Sleeve shaft has loosen a few times on customer's Shopsmiths allowing the pulley to spin on the shaft. I remove the set screw and the pulley and use red LocTite to put it back together again. I do this on the Drive Sleeve Assy that I remove and install for customers and on all drive sleeve assy that I stock. I found that Shopsmith has made the Poly-V pulley and drive sleeve shaft as a one piece unit on a 1998 Shopsmith headstock that I repaired recently.

Bill Mayo

ldh wrote:Bill,
Do you use the HeliCoil thread repair kits? Glad to see you also use the blue loctite for a little extra security. I have never found any use for the red on any Shopsmith equipment. Great tool and great forum.
ldh

Bill,
Thanks for the good advice. I will put all this info in my notebook and pick your brain for more in the future. It sounds like you have forgotten more about Shopsmith repair than most of us will ever learn.
ldh

Red Loctite is easy- green is not. Red softens with just a bit of heat- green for resetting bearings and the like is a miracle. Another option from old motorcycle racing days- a bit of 3M Trim Adhesive or silicone sealant-holds them tight and no sweat un-doing it.mt

mtobey wrote:Red Loctite is easy- green is not. Red softens with just a bit of heat- green for resetting bearings and the like is a miracle. Another option from old motorcycle racing days- a bit of 3M Trim Adhesive or silicone sealant-holds them tight and no sweat un-doing it.mt

That is what I read on the loctite website][/URL]

eldyfig wrote:That is what I read on the loctite website][/URL]

Kathy Mattea would be proud of you.

"He said she leaked when it would rain"

Mine sure did...right in my lap!