Shopsmith Forums

I'm not arguing, but seems filing 1/16 off the hex end might get someone what they need easier that filing 1/8 ? Also depends on the actual depth of the hex.

beatnik wrote:5/16 is probably the closest you're going to get length wise.

Undoubtedly. I have been on the hunt for set screws with the nylon patch and I have not found 1/4" set screws so configured. All of the others (longer) have been found.

I finally concluded that for my "test effort" (I do not have a loose set screw issue), I would use 5/16" with the nylon patch. I am quite aware of the extreme dangers involved when using a set screw that is 1/16" longer than that called for. I will chance that for the benefit of the whole.

It is possible that the patch will not even contact the threads in the arbor.

Set screws are available in small quantities from Shopsmith, McMasters-Carr and Fastenal and maybe others. Most of the others packaged in lots of 50, 100 or 1000. Some of their prices per set screw were fantastic but only if you buy many times more than needed.

I thought about buying 1000 of the set screw in question here (5/16"-18x5/16" (222458)) and offering them for sale at a price no one would complain about. I did not do that for reasons that I think are probably obvious.

I did, however, purchase what will probably be a life time supply of a few different set screw types. I will soon have 110 set screws in my possession for an outlay of $35.50 (including shipping). The package of screws with the nylon patch drove the price per set screw way up. On the average, a regular set screw cost me about $0.19.

beatnik wrote:I'm not arguing, but seems filing 1/16 off the hex end might get someone what they need easier that filing 1/8 ? Also depends on the actual depth of the hex.

It would be easier to grind the other end as I have often done to make flat point ones out of more commonly available cupped ones.

I seriously doubt the advisability of the patch screws. The tactile feedback from the plain screws would be masked by the patch requiring added torque to turn.
Inattention to that feedback is IMHO part of the cause for arbor screws loosening.

beatnik wrote:Why not use these if yours are vibrating loose ?

http://www.mutualscrew.com/Alloy-Steel- ... 04469.html

$178? Expensive!

JPG40504 wrote:It would be easier to grind the other end as I have often done to make flat point ones out of more commonly available cupped ones.

I seriously doubt the advisability of the patch screws. The tactile feedback from the plain screws would be masked by the patch requiring added torque to turn.
Inattention to that feedback is IMHO part of the cause for arbor screws loosening.

Are you saying that too much torque when tightening is what causes the set screw to come loose?

I tighten the set screw down to the point of contact and then tighten further by turning the T-handle until it twists. I do that twist maneuver three times.

beatnik wrote:5/16 is probably the closest you're going to get length wise.

Is a 1/16" too long enough to be concerned about.

From a different thread: I guess you would answer the question "If a longer set screw is used, does this increase the propensity for the set screw to work loose?" in the affirmative.

dusty wrote:Is a 1/16" too long enough to be concerned about.

From a different thread: I guess you would answer the question "If a longer set screw is used, does this increase the propensity for the set screw to work loose?" in the affirmative.

No! Quit twisting what I am writing.] Never mind, you were not questioning me![/B]

I quoted the wrong post by you.

Shoulda been thisun.

Are you saying that too much torque when tightening is what causes the set screw to come loose?

I tighten the set screw down to the point of contact and then tighten further by turning the T-handle until it twists. I do that twist maneuver three times.



I said the nylon patch requires extra torque when tightening the set screw. That extra torque masks the tactile feedback of when the screw contacts the shaft. Therefore one cannot accurately determine when the screw is securely tightened. With no patch there is a very abrupt torque change.

If three pumps works fer you, then so be it. I combine rocking and tightening simultaneously.(rapid rocking with gradual tightening) I also do not use the ecklind(?) wrench, but rather the 'normal' "L" shaped long shaft one.

You do not need to guess, my answer, it is there already. This is not relevant to the correct quote.

I have previously posted a chart that lists the set screws used in the Shopsmith equipment in my shop.

The list contains a reference number (column 2), a Shopsmith part number (column 3) and an item description of the part (column 4).

Example:
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/manuals/845541.pdf

I am finding that the Reference Number (column 2) on my chart does not always agree with that it the documents published by Shopsmith. I conclude that this is because the Shopsmith documents are periodically updated and my chart is not.

An examination of the description in my chart and the Shopsmith documents will also reveal a disconnect between the two documents. The description in the Shopsmith document is often non-descript. An example of this is Item 53 in the document linked above. Setscrew - 222458 - (53)

In the chart that I have created, the description has been expanded to reflect "my understanding" of what the part is supposed to be. I have attempted to verify this data but "stuff happens".

If any of you use this data and discover discrepancies, please post those findings here on the forum for the benefit of any one else who may be using the information.

As a side note and closing comment:

I do not believe that Shopsmith has called out any part numbers that reference a nylon patch. I say this even though I have set screws in my possession that have the nylon patch and I don't recall having ever purchased set screws from other than Shopsmith until now. Said another way, I believe the set screws that have the nylon patch (mine are red) came to me in the Help Kit. One MIGHT therefore conclude that Shopsmith recommends the use of the nylon patch in some limited applications.

PS: I just now noticed this subtle bit of information. Examine the set screws showed in the attached image of the most ordered parts from Shopsmith. Six set screws with a red nylon patch. The Help Kit contains six each of 5/16"-18x3/8" socket head screws.

[ATTACH]25456[/ATTACH]

According to my notes, those set screws are used 1 each in the drill chuck (299), and sanding disk (325) and 2 each in the strip sander (40) and jointer (8) and 4 each in the belt sander(10).

My order has arrived. I now have a 100 or so loose set screws.

I need some help from anyone who has a strip sander and the Shopsmith parts list for that sander.

I need to know what Reference Number 31 on the parts list is. I have a document that reports it to be part number 222458 while at the same time describing it as 5/16"-18x3/4".

I suspect that it is 5/16"-18x1/4" which makes the part number correct and the description in error.

Is this the set screw for the power hub? The drawing that I have is illegible.