Shopsmith Forums

My machine is 10 or 11 years old. A couple days ago, I bent the shaft while turning an 11-1/2" maple circle on a Nova chuck with Nova Cole jaws.

I know for sure that the shaft is bent. A flat sanding disc wobbles furiously now.

What do I need to replace, and can anyone provide a link to instructions of video of this procedure.

Thanks for any help.

Jim Huskins
Marion, NC

Replacement of the Quill (shaft) is relatively simple. There are video links in the stickies on the maintainence section (This section,top). Before you commit to a new quill, double check that the bearings didn't self destruct. You may just need a bearing (also easy to replace).

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

Ranger
Chris has it right. The shaft is relatively easy to replace or you could buy a replacement shaft from SS. You may get lucky and find that you finished off a bearing that was on it's way out.
I was turning a bowl a few weeks ago and had a major catch which shattered a 1" thick bowl also using using a Nova chuck but I don't think I did any damage.
Bill V

This one gets you to the 25 maintenance procedures:
http://www.allinonewood.com/?page=shop/serviceadvisor
Number 14 is replacing the quill. Be really careful not to let go of the quill feed handle when you remove the quill. If the handle slips out of your hand, it will most likely unhook the quill return spring from the quill feed shaft. It can be quite a PITA to rehook this spring.

I thank you all for the most helpful input. I'll let you know how I get along.

Jim H.

I can't imagine what kind of force it took to bend the shaft.

rcplaneguy wrote:I can't imagine what kind of force it took to bend the shaft.

Which is why the bearing(s) be suspect.

rcplaneguy wrote:I can't imagine what kind of force it took to bend the shaft.

I find that about 20% of the quills in the headstocks I used to rebuild would have a end shaft deflection of more than +-.002". This was the maximum deflection that I would allow in any headstock that I rebuilt. The quill shaft is not heat treated to any level of case harden steel. Only mild steel that can be machined with a metal lathe so can be bent without too much effort. I seen a few times where forgetting to lock the headstock when putting it in the drill press position has bent the quill shaft beyond use. I believe sliding the main table hard over a saw blade and not clearing it may have bend the quill shaft a few thousands.

There were a couple of responses in this thread about replacing the quill (spindle) shaft. I, too, have a double bearing quill with a bent spindle shaft, but haven't been able to find just the shaft. The shaft is shown as a separate item on the parts breakdown, but doesn't appear to be an item for purchase without buying the quill as an assembly. I agree with the other posters, the shaft is very easy to replace, but are they available anywhere for purchase. They have to be manufactured somewhere! Does anyone know if they are available anywhere to purchase separately?

pel1961 wrote:There were a couple of responses in this thread about replacing the quill (spindle) shaft. I, too, have a double bearing quill with a bent spindle shaft, but haven't been able to find just the shaft. The shaft is shown as a separate item on the parts breakdown, but doesn't appear to be an item for purchase without buying the quill as an assembly. I agree with the other posters, the shaft is very easy to replace, but are they available anywhere for purchase. They have to be manufactured somewhere! Does anyone know if they are available anywhere to purchase separately?

Yes, but it is surely a proprietary part so the manufacturer can not sell it to anyone but SS.

A good machine shop should be able to straighten it. I don't know if they will do it for less than a full up new quill from SS. There is also eBay. There are quills on there all the time.