Shopsmith Forums

I am in the process of rebuilding my three headstocks. I have pulled all the bearings except for two. The two are the smaller bearings on the quill. I was able to easily pull the outer bearing. I then pushed out the retaining pin, expecting what appears to be a sleeve to slip off. Nope. So I then set up in my 12-ton press, using the arbor plates, I pressed down & nuttin. I pressed hard, could see the press straining & still nothing.

Of all the bearings, the smaller one in my one quill is the worst. I don't want to ruin the bearing & could easily remove one of the metal shields and lubricate the bearing, but that would be an admission of defeat. Can't have that.

Anyone have any ideas? I just received a response from one of my Shopsmith gurus. He stated the sleeve may have been epoxied in place. So I will try using heat. Years ago, I went to a NASA certified soldering school. We were taught to use all the functions of a Pace Machine. One of which was to use a special tool to remove epoxy out of epoxy encapsulated electronic components on printed circuit board using a thermal parting tool. It was very effective in permitting discrete component removal. This technology died. But the principle still seems to be relevant: over-cure the epoxy. This causes epoxy to crumble. I hope to have a similar result with a torch & my press.

I made an assumption the quill shaft was solid. It's not. It's actually two pieces tie together & secured by a pin. I simple assumed there was a tight spacer sleeve. I used a torch & a brighter light. That's when the light bulb bubble came on & I wondered....what if...

Yep. I simple used a set of vice grips- the shaft was too hot to hold. I grabbed another set of pliers & twisted.....voila!

As I remember, (photos from reible (Ed)) The older shafts are two pieces with a pin, while the newer ones are one piece.

There are older posts that show this, if they are still available.