Shopsmith Forums

After penetrol over nite drying of the actuating rod, I waxed/cleaned off the areas where stuff needs to slide, and inserted the tension pin and connected the rod to the handle.

I like to apply in line force slowly, hence the vise.
Moving to the back end, I started the pin into one side.
Then positioned the rear clamp onto the pin and again squeezed the pin into place. This shows the parts sequence on the front end of the rod. The large washer was not oem. I believe a po rightfully
* changed it to this one with a larger od. The handle/clamp was worn by pressing against a smaller washer. The next washer has a large id that allows the sleeve to penetrate it.(the washer slips over the sleeve) The washer on the inside end of the sleeve must be inserted after the sleeve is inserted into the bore in the fence.

* Tain't so! Not a good idea! See post #5 this thread.
The front clamp is retained/pivots on a tension pin. The rounded(convex) fingers face the washer at the inner end of the sleeve.

This thread is linked to from https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=11984

The long front spring with a washer at each end is positioned so the rod can be inserted through them. The spring must be compressed slightly to get it and the rear washer inside the web.
This shows the washer at the outer end of the spring. It presses against the front clamp to release it.
A similar arrangement at the rear clamp, but a much shorter and stiffer spring. I decided to add the washer between the rear end of the spring and the clamp. The clamp has a camming profile with a high point at the rod hole. All this added difficulty in getting these parts aligned. Once aligned, the rod slipped through them all. The spring being slightly bent did not help any!:(
The rear clamp is u shaped so that a sleeve is necessary(see next pix).
After slipping the sleeve onto the rod, the adjusting nut is screwed on. After posting these pix I noticed one of the flat washers was 'thinner' than the other three. Next time I take the rod loose, I will relocate that 'odd' washer to the rear end of the back spring.

The jam nut goes on last. This will be adjusted later. The bias screw hole threads are chased.
The bias screws inserted just flush with the outside end so as to not interfere wiuth the table rail.
The casting is secured with two screws and washers. The inner screw is longer than the outer screw. Blade alignment will be done later.
The mortising hold down shaft set screw is added last.

Three 'overviews'.
A word regarding the tapped 'jig' mounting holes. They are tapped 'through' so a screw's threads can run all the way through both sides.

After trying to fit the fence onto the table(s), it became apparent all was not well. The large hole washer was causing the front clamp to not clamp fully. The sleeve was not being pushed in enough to pivot the clamp closed.

This is the latest set of parts.
The thick outer washer is still a good alteration(wear to the clamp cam surface). The extra thickness can be compensated by rear adjustment nut.

The clamp is not releasing fully to clear the front rail, but by either pulling on the clamp handle or pulling on the rear clamp(moves the rod) the clamp allows fence insertion or removal. Not sure if this is 'normal/typical' but I do not see a good way to increase the sleeve travel(the sleeve moves the clamp pivot).