Shopsmith Forums

What is there about the hex bolts (138245) that secure the Tube Lock Bar (504146) into the Base and/or Headrest that makes them so expensive?

I thought they were standard 1/4-20 1" long hex bolts. Is it the costs associated with this sort of item that makes Shopsmith prices seem excessive.

CORRECTION: They are not 1/4-20. They are 3/8-16 and the price went UP to about $0.85 each from Fastenal.

I would have a hard time if I had to explain WHY I bought this so I won't.

After a short conversation with the folks at Shopsmith, I decided to place my order even though it will be going on back order.

3/8 - 16 x 1 3/4 in my goldie manual.

JPG wrote:3/8 - 16 x 1 3/4 in my goldie manual.

Thank you. At least now I will not be sitting here thinking I have the required hardware in the shop.

dusty wrote:What is there about the hex bolts (138245) that secure the Tube Lock Bar (504146) into the Base and/or Headrest that makes them so expensive?

I thought they were standard 1/4-20 1" long hex bolts. Is it the costs associated with this sort of item that makes Shopsmith prices seem excessive.

CORRECTION: They are not 1/4-20. They are 3/8-16 and the price went UP to about $0.85 each from Fastenal.

Not a fair comparison. Fastenal is giving a "unit" price for when you buy a package of 50. It takes labor to pick and ship small items one at a time, not to mention processing the order. Labor is expensive. What's the best online price you can find on a single 3/8-16 x 1.75 hex cap screw?

Walking into your local Ace really isn't a fair comparison either, because you are essentially picking your own order (although the helpful hardware man will be happy to help, should you need it. )

Any particular reason you wanted new Tube Lock Bars and fasteners? I see you didn't order the cap screws, and I can understand that since I'm guessing you were going to replace all of them as well as the bars but that was getting on the expensive side from shopsmith.

When I did my upgrade I painted the legs and cleaned the bars up etc. Figured it was a good time for do all of those sorts of things.

Checked again and still don't see any demo coming my way so it might be a while before I do my second machine. Hope I don't find something else to buy by then and have to put this off another year.

Ed

Ed, I need the Tube Lock Bars and associated hardware for another machine. I bought a Base Arm and Headrest on eBay and they came missing hardware.

Yes, buying common hardware from Shopsmith does getting expensive. It can be frustrating too because Shopsmith does not provide the required component descriptions. Example: 138245 - Bolt Hex (the purchasing information is really Hex Bolt, 3/8"- 16 1 3/4"). Then there the cost.

BuckeyeDennis wrote:

dusty wrote:What is there about the hex bolts (138245) that secure the Tube Lock Bar (504146) into the Base and/or Headrest that makes them so expensive?

I thought they were standard 1/4-20 1" long hex bolts. Is it the costs associated with this sort of item that makes Shopsmith prices seem excessive.

CORRECTION: They are not 1/4-20. They are 3/8-16 and the price went UP to about $0.85 each from Fastenal.

Not a fair comparison. Fastenal is giving a "unit" price for when you buy a package of 50. It takes labor to pick and ship small items one at a time, not to mention processing the order. Labor is expensive. What's the best online price you can find on a single 3/8-16 x 1.75 hex cap screw?

Walking into your local Ace really isn't a fair comparison either, because you are essentially picking your own order (although the helpful hardware man will be happy to help, should you need it. )

You are correct. This was not a fair cost comparison. However, if you can purchase a package of 50 for the same cost as 4ea purchased elsewhere, where are you going to make your purchase?

Some people buy gold while others buy silver to hedge their bet against inflation. I chose "Bolts and Nuts".

You should see my collection of "Screws, Washers and Nails". Gotta pretty penny tied up there too.

I already have the Head Rest and Base Arm Assembly outfitted with hardware for the Tube Lock Bars.

A question for you Double Tilt guys. Does the hardware kit include this hardware? The Shopsmith advertisement is rather nondescript in their "Here's What's Included with Your Upgrade Kit" presentation; it just says Hardware.

The upgrade does not include the tube lock bars or associated hardware. It does include new nuts and bolts to attach the bases to the legs. The ones included in my kit changed the fasteners from slot head pan screws with washers and square nuts to Phillips head pan screws and K-lock nuts.

thunderbirdbat wrote:The upgrade does not include the tube lock bars or associated hardware. It does include new nuts and bolts to attach the bases to the legs. The ones included in my kit changed the fasteners from slot head pan screws with washers and square nuts to Phillips head pan screws and K-lock nuts.

Thank you, I appreciate the feed back. I'll deposit the new pan head screws and lock nuts in the hardware drawer. I prefer, for nonsense reasons, to retain retain the original hardware.