Shopsmith Forums

Hi, thanks for reading.

I've just acquired a 9 year old 520 with Precision Pro System. It hasn't been used for a while; nevertheless it is in impeccable condition. However, the worktable is very difficult to move; worse, it makes a horrible metal-on-metal sound when cranked in either direction.

I didn't find anything in the documentation about this condition, so I've turned the table upside-down on padded sawhorses, grabbed WD40, shop towels, and a rubber mallet and.... decided to ask for advice before disassembling the table.

What might be wrong, sticking lock? Even if a squirt of oil would free it up, my OCD nature would demand that I take it apart, clean and inspect/repair, and reassemble. That being said, I prefer following Best Practices.

Please advise!

Thanks,
-Shaun-

Did you release the 'lock' prior to turning the crank?

Or are you referring to 'tilting' the table?

Could be a remote chance that the table was cocked enough when someone forced it in to the carriage, to have the two tubes mis-registered by one rack-tooth relative to each other?

While ignoring the awful noises, I would take the table completely off the carriage and while off clean and wax the table uprights. Before putting the table back of the carriage, clean the holes into which the uprights go.

While you have the table off, measure the distance between the uprights to make certain they are parallel.

My guess is that your problem is a mixture of dried up wax and crud on the legs and in the holes.

I have one machine that squeals at me now and then when I raise and lower the table. Needs the same treatment.

My 510 had this problem also. I had to remove the carriage gears and clean them. They had packed wood in the splines.

Thanks for the great suggestions!

When I checked out the machine and found the table stiff, I naturally expected 'crud' in the holes and the pinion. When I found it extremely difficult to crank the table up out of the rack, I got worried -- but it was a *great* machine! So I took the worktable off, carriage and all.

After reading your suggestions (boy, was it ever difficult to wait for the feedback!), I squirted some WD40 on the tubes -- the table was already up-side-down waiting your comments -- and (to my astonishment) the carriage cranked right off the table.

I examined everything and... well, I'm puzzled. Both racks were pretty clean (I'm a "bit" OCD -- spell that a *B*I*T*) so the racks were _very_ clean. The pinion on the crank side was almost as clean. The pinion on the far side was pretty cruddy, but cruddy with loose sawdust.



I did find a "serious" burr on the hole on the 'away' side, but saw no gouges on the tube to suggest the burr was interfering with travel.

Sadly, I did not take measurements before disassembling the table. I did measure after the fact and saw that the 'away' tube was about 1/32" longer than the 'near' tube, and that the 'away' rack was a out 1/64" closer to the table's tube than the 'near' rack. That is pretty much meaningless for a couple of reasons: a) the amounts/dimensions are so small; and b) I have no way of measuring from the table surface to the beginning of the rack. IOW, there is no plane of reference.

So, I conclude that there was no good reason for the table elevation mechanism to bind, and whatever gremlins were interfering fled when I doused them with the magic elixir WD40.

Sadly, I am having trouble acquiring any Johnsons Paste Wax -- in the Atlanta area, it seems that all housewives use "Mop n Glo". <sob> I've heard rumors that Lowe's carries it, so I'll take a drive and see if I can get my sweaty palms on some. Until then, this puppy will remain in pieces, and the story will have no ending, happy or otherwise.

Thanks!
-Shaun-

Johnson's Paste Wax is available in some Ace Hardware stores --- in the household section (not hardware).

I have consumed one can and am now working on #2 with the third can setting on the shelf in the shop. I believe I have a life time supply on hand.

dusty wrote:Johnson's Paste Wax is available in some Ace Hardware stores --- in the household section (not hardware).

Thanks dusty, I'll try there first.

Johnson's Paste Wax must be marked as the "Original Formula" & Smells like kerosene when you open it.
Bill V

Mine smells like mineral spirits!;)

Home Depot - again in the house cleaning depot.


ORIGINAL FORMULA yes it is that important!!!! You want the 'slick'.