Shopsmith Forums

As shown here

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=12759

I had a few issues with restrictions imposed by the lift assist.

My solution is now to take it off.

No not for ever but when it is in the way and hindering work.

If you have the new lift with the "easy to remove" slide and ball you also know the adjustment to make it easy is a trial and error method. Once you have it you sure don't want to have to do that over and over....

Since that is the really tedious part of the re-instillation I've been thinking of some ways of making it better. Some years back I had played with several methods of improving the headstock/carriage location so it was more repeatable(never got it to the point I was happy with it). One of thing I tried was PVC pipe for spacers. While they didn't work well there they looked like they might for this use.

So lets look at what I did.

Measured and cut some pipe (7/16" ish wide) then verified a nice snug fit.

[ATTACH]21979[/ATTACH]

Pulled the cylinder end off and when back to horizontal.

[ATTACH]21980[/ATTACH]

The top bracket was then removed. The lower bracket remains in place.

[ATTACH]21981[/ATTACH]

Going from scratch I put the pipe spacers on.

[ATTACH]21982[/ATTACH]

Next I put the upper and lower blocks on with the screws in place, the green tape helps things stay in place as the upper arm is attached.

[ATTACH]21983[/ATTACH]

More to follow.

Ed

I've found that a couple of clamps help hold the upper arm in place and it is easier to get things to fit this way.

[ATTACH]21984[/ATTACH]

With everything re-tightened and checked it is time to go vertical again.

[ATTACH]21985[/ATTACH]

Will the ball fit the socket or will I have to mess around to get things to fit again? Happy to say the fit was perhaps even better then before (wishful thinking on my part?).

[ATTACH]21986[/ATTACH]

I grabbed a hand socket to make the process go a little faster. Years ago I could have tightened it all the way but now I go back with a wrench just to check.

[ATTACH]21987[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]21988[/ATTACH]

Now I would not want to do this for some little thing that I could do a work around on but for projects that need it I'll just go for the removal and re-installation. It goes pretty fast now and no readjusting time or effort so I'm about as happy as I'm going to get with the lift assist.

Ed

Looks doable.
One question: I notice the screws all same length. Did your L-A come so equipped? Part of install for me that is such a PITA is that I got 4 different size screws, odd quantities each (looks like somebody was packing from a "Miscellaneous" bin) and I have to hand pick each one to get 'em all to fit. That's "GRRrrr" times 16.
[if I reinstall- and I may, using your method- I'll go buy all new screws and some kinda keeper to hold screws to top blocks]

keakap wrote:Looks doable.
One question: I notice the screws all same length. Did your L-A come so equipped? Part of install for me that is such a PITA is that I got 4 different size screws, odd quantities each (looks like somebody was packing from a "Miscellaneous" bin) and I have to hand pick each one to get 'em all to fit. That's "GRRrrr" times 16.
[if I reinstall- and I may, using your method- I'll go buy all new screws and some kinda keeper to hold screws to top blocks]

All the hardware is oem (shopsmith).

There are two screw sizes listed, (4) 1/4"-20 x 2-3/4" and (12) 1/4"-20 x 3-1/4". The (4) shorter screws are used on the lower assembly opposite the lower mount.

Mine is only a couple of months old so it could be older units were different?? I believe I have seen pictures of units that have a tie bar on the top (which mine doesn't), so that could be another issue??

Ed