Shopsmith Forums

I have upgraded my Mark 5 and have successfully installed the new work table. I now want to remove it to install the pneumatic lift mechanism and am finding that quite difficult. I removed the old model 500 table when I bought the upgrade and all that was required was to raise it to its highest point using the gear wheel and then lift the table straight up and off. I can not seem to lift the new table off once I get it raised to its highest position. It feels like it there must be some kind of lock that needs to be undone or perhaps some kind of special lifting trick must be done, but I am having some considerable trouble doing what should be a simple task. It feels as if it is bound up in some way and just won't come loose from the carriage. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Try some wax on the table tubes (both the top and bottom). When you then crank it up, crank slowly until you hear/feel a tooth ratchet. Then you should be able to lift it out.

Also run the carriage over to the tailstock end. From there you can stand at the end of the machine and get a more comfortable grip.

I always lift with my hands on the front and back of the table rather than on the tubes.

Best Wishes!

P.S. The holes in the carriage also need some wax.

Charlese and Beeg,
Thank you both for your suggestions. I just cleaned the gear teeth and pinion area carefully, waxed the table work tubes, moved the carriage to the end of the way tubes and lifted it carefully by the front and back after cranking it up to the top of its height and, voila! it came right out (with a little wiggling). I would still be pulling and cursing if I had not gotten such good advice. Thanks again.
Dan

I am pleased that you have been able to remove the table from the carriage. I can only assume that following the instructions already given helped you to do this. Now, after cleaning and waxing all of the parts associated with this issue, I further assume that upon remounting the table in the carriage that it coasted all the way down on its own and that cranking it back up was much easier to do than before. If not, there may still be an issue. The legs on the Table Bar and Tube Assembly (#163) may be spread.

Being used to 'lifting' a 500 table, will require getting used to lifting the heavier table.

Thanks, Charlese ... moving the work table to the end of the unit and jiggling/lifting work! Now I can try to set up the lathe (for the first time) and turn a bowl! Cheers ... LJC

Stand by!

This one seems to be resolved. You can also have a hard time removing or installing the table if the legs are misaligned. The legs can be close enough for most of the length of the legs but they can be getting wider or narrower as the the table goes up or out until they fit too tightly to move.