Shopsmith Forums

I have had Shopsmiths for so many years i'm afraid to count. But recently i decided to add the double tilt to my 520. What the heck! Right! go with the latest and greatest, I am on my wits end trying to keep the bench tubes tight in the ends. I get it all tightened up and every thing seem ok until I tilt it up into the drill press position and the weight of the Power Pro is so great that it causes the tubes to move. Then when I tip it back down it won't line up to be able to lock it down. It seems like the casting holes are to large and causes the movement and the clamp is unable to keep it from moving. I have tightened the clamp bolts to the point of where i'm afraid I'll break them. I did not have this problem with the old system. And yes, the tubes are all the way in to the stops.

This does not make sense.

Sure it is not the way tubes that are moving?

The bench tubes have 'stops' only at one end.

No, I can grab the legs and can get the bench tubes to wiggle in the ends. Yes, I know it doesn't make sense. I have had many of these shopsmith apart. This isn't my first rodeo. I just cant get the clamp tightened down enough to keep it solid. The way tubes and power pro is all tight and moves freely. It's the base that's the problem.

Are both the way and bench tubes the same diameter on your shopsmith?

Ed

As general information for those who have not seen the double tilt ends this is a picture of one of them. Both sides are identical. The bench tubes are clamped just like on the older versions. The stops thus create a fixed distance between the ends.
The way tubes need to be adjusted to get the fit right. What I did was to measure a distance of about 3" in from the ends of the tubes and mark with a wax pencil. This way I was able to get the tubes centered in the ends, ie equal distance as referenced by the marks. I'm not sure that is critical but I prefer the balanced approach. The newer version has the set screw top side which I like better then the old way.

Now for this problem perhaps a picture might help of the effected parts. By way of reference the distance between castings could also help. Without going out and measuring mine tonight I think the number will be just over 48" like maybe 48-1/4" max. The reason I ask is that if you ended up taking things apart you may have gotten the way and bench tubes mixed up. The bench tubes are slightly longer by 3/4" and that should show up in the distance measurement.

Ed

HMMMMM! I forgot about the 2 tilt being different.

Wonder how(if) they accommodated the greenie bench tube od being larger?

JPG wrote:HMMMMM! I forgot about the 2 tilt being different.

Wonder how(if) they accommodated the greenie bench tube od being larger?

I seriously doubt that there would be a problem installing the oversized tubes . That is not a tight fit, by any means.

I just had a similar problem. Look at the pictures that reible posted and notice the stops. Some have stops and some do not. If you get a friend to help you lift the top of the machine off. The double tilt can do that. Then turn the base of the machine over it will be easier to adjust and tighten the bench tubes. If they won't stay tight on the tubes you could try using a thin strip carpet tape where it mounts to stop the slippage.

Michael

Wait a minute.

We are talking about a double tilt. The double tilt has bench tube stops at both ends. The tubes should be inserted as far as they will go and then tightened down. This can be done without turning everything upside down. Just lay down on the shop floor and look up. It is all right there.

However, are we all certain that we know3 what the problem is? Do these loose tubes move back and forth OR is the symptom that they can be rotated? The solution is the same either way but it is always good to know what tyhe problem is BEFORE attempting a fix.

Furthermore, since this is an upgrade kit, maybe Shopsmith should be involved but not until it is certain just what the issue is.

The upgrade kit does not include the Tube Lock Bars (504146). Are these in good condition? These are the only items that secure the tubes into the Base. Caution: No gorilla force required here!

Are the bench tubes deformed in any way?

dusty wrote:

JPG wrote:HMMMMM! I forgot about the 2 tilt being different.

Wonder how(if) they accommodated the greenie bench tube od being larger?

I seriously doubt that there would be a problem installing the oversized tubes . That is not a tight fit, by any means.

Not so. Look at the SS page for the double tilt upgrade. The larger bench tubes do not fit and require you to buy the 1 3/4" bench tubes. Also the model 500 table does not have interchangeable table tubes so you have to have a 510+ table to upgrade to the double tilt.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... e_tilt.htm