Shopsmith Forums

I have owned a Model 10ER for over 30 years, and yesterday I bought an old (1981) Mark V. Everything seems to work OK, but I can move the saw blade axially about .030 inch. My old unit is very tight, so I think this must indicate a need for adjustment or new bearings. Any advice?

pearlyvereen wrote:I have owned a Model 10ER for over 30 years, and yesterday I bought an old (1981) Mark V. Everything seems to work OK, but I can move the saw blade axially about .030 inch. My old unit is very tight, so I think this must indicate a need for adjustment or new bearings. Any advice?

If we are referring to quill spline backlash, there is no 'adjustment'.

Question is, what else moves?

If by "axially" you mean front to back or up and down that would probably mean a bad quill bearing. If you mean that you can rotate the blade in it's normal rotation by that amount when holding the PTO shaft at the left end of the headstock then that condition is caused by backlash in the drive train and the amount that you described is not excessive and it is not adjustable as JPG stated.
Bill V

The term axial refers to the movement of the shaft in a linear fashion along its rotational centerline. This allows the saw blade to wander within its kerf, making the kerf imprecise and wider than it should be.

Pearly;
Check the quill bearings!! Also check the position of the bright metal knurled nut that is on the quill. If this nut is not positioned correctly then the quill can move in and out. The knurled nut takes up some slack.
Bill V

pearlyvereen wrote:I have owned a Model 10ER for over 30 years, and yesterday I bought an old (1981) Mark V. Everything seems to work OK, but I can move the saw blade axially about .030 inch. My old unit is very tight, so I think this must indicate a need for adjustment or new bearings. Any advice?

The axial motion makes me think the quill is not assembled properly. I would remove and inspect it. Check the collar and snap ring.

I forgot about the snap ring, it is behind the knurled nut.
Bill V

Ok play in/out from the quill.

The knurled aluminum collar on the end of the quill takes the play out. Loosen the set screw, pull out on the shaft, and push in on the collar, tighten the set screw and the play should be gone. Make sure the set screw is straight to the tapered shaft.(yes there are two tapered flats on the quill shaft.)

SDSSmith wrote:The axial motion makes me think the quill is not assembled properly. I would remove and inspect it. Check the collar and snap ring.

The ring secures the bearing, the collar secures the shaft(pulls the shaft against the back of the center race).

Thanks to all of you for the help on my axial play problem.