Quill Spindle Backlash/Play?

mackeydoc · Post by **mackeydoc** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 6:08 pm

Hi Gang,
My question concerns the following. When I rotate the blade by hand either forward or in reverse, I have a small amount of "play" approximately .25inch of blade movement before the quill moves. The arbor is tight, the quill locks are tight, the blade is tight on the arbor. Is there an adjustment? Is this a common problem? Any suggestions to eliminate this play. perhaps I am missoing something very simple? No other problems with this machine (1988).
Thanks Mackeydoc

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:49 pm

Yep! Pretty common. It has to do with part #57 (514083)- Drive and ring assembly, which is a nylon part and the the play between this and the flutes on the end of the spindle.

You can find that part on the exploded diagram here - - You'll have to scroll down to the headstock diagram. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/productmanuals/MKVSTDPartsList%20_1_14.pdf

I had the same amount of play that lasted for years. Although I worried about it, there was no real problem.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 4:48 am

I have that same play and it causes no problem at all. I am not convinced, furthermore, that a new "drive and ring assembly" would eliminate the problem. The drive and ring assembly is not precision milled to mate with the spline on the shaft. I think there might be some play even with a new one.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 11:43 am

Back lash there is typical.

Only becomes a significant problem when attempting the use the upper rear shaft as an indexing device.

That 1/4" equals almost 3 degrees.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 12:37 pm

dusty wrote:I have that same play and it causes no problem at all. I am not convinced, furthermore, that a new "drive and ring assembly" would eliminate the problem. The drive and ring assembly is not precision milled to mate with the spline on the shaft. I think there might be some play even with a new one.

While I had the standard headstock I fully agreed with Dusty's assessment. However, when I first installed the PowerPro DIY upgrade, I found there to be absolutely no play. The same was true with both rebuilds. After some use a very small amount of looseness ( hate to call it play) was sometimes noticeable when checking.

Like many Shopsmith users, I was not aware of any such play until it got large enough to first notice. Because, as said earlier, I was aware of this happening, I am now very aware of any changes here - believing the gaps in the drive ring and spindle flutes develop over time. Still no big issue!! just something to watch, (and fret about if you are so inclined).

With the relatively faster starting and stopping of the PowerPro, cant help but wonder if this will affect developing rotational play

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 12:48 pm

charlese wrote:While I had the standard headstock I fully agreed with Dusty's assessment. However, when I first installed the PowerPro DIY upgrade, I found there to be absolutely no play. The same was true with both rebuilds. After some use a very small amount of looseness ( hate to call it play) was sometimes noticeable when checking.

Like many Shopsmith users, I was not aware of any such play until it got large enough to first notice. Because, as said earlier, I was aware of this happening, I am now very aware of any changes here - believing the gaps in the drive ring and spindle flutes develop over time. Still no big issue!! just something to watch, (and fret about if you are so inclined).

With the relatively faster starting and stopping of the PowerPro, cant help but wonder if this will affect developing rotational play

Good thing the bandsaw is not driven by the quill!:eek:

mackeydoc · Post by **mackeydoc** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 1:34 pm

charlese wrote:While I had the standard headstock I fully agreed with Dusty's assessment. However, when I first installed the PowerPro DIY upgrade, I found there to be absolutely no play. The same was true with both rebuilds. After some use a very small amount of looseness ( hate to call it play) was sometimes noticeable when checking.

Like many Shopsmith users, I was not aware of any such play until it got large enough to first notice. Because, as said earlier, I was aware of this happening, I am now very aware of any changes here - believing the gaps in the drive ring and spindle flutes develop over time. Still no big issue!! just something to watch, (and fret about if you are so inclined).

With the relatively faster starting and stopping of the PowerPro, cant help but wonder if this will affect developing rotational play

Thanks fella's. I had noticed the "play" previously but never had seen any problems caused by it (other than "fretting").
Mackeydoc