Shopsmith Forums

Hello,

I am new to a shop smith V recently, and am running into a few issues. There could be something wrong with it, or more likely I am not understanding something...

My tool rest will raise and lower, but I can't figure out how to lock the post from spinning left/right. Can anyone explain how the table height control works. I have the feeling you use this to raise, lower and lock the spin function, but I can't get it to do so. If I knew for sure how it was supposed to work, then I can figure out what I need to do to get it working.

I really appreciate any help, I know i am missing something here. Thanks!

Robert

Welcome to the forum. The lathe tool rest has a couple of different options depending on when it was made or if it has been updated. The original tool rests had socket head set screws and the up graded models have adjustable position handles that tighten to hold the rests in position. This page has a picture of the handle upgrade that will show the location of the set screws if your has them. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... pgrade.htm

In addition to the sticky topics at the top of the Maintenance and Repair section here are a few links for information on how to use your SS.

http://shopsmith.com/getting_started/welcome.htm

http://www.shopsmith.com/academy/introduction.htm

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/productmanuals.htm

If it is the post turning left & right in the carriage, have you locked the riser height with the large wing nut on the shaft with the raising lever (or wheel on newer models)? If the arm is turning on the post, lock it with the set screw (or locking lever on newer models).

In my experience, there was rotational play of the post in the carriage and I was never able to eliminate it completely in my 520. That was remedied by a very expensive upgrade to the Universal Tool Rest.

Possible causes of tool rest rotation.

Tool rest is loose on the arm(set screw/lever).

Arm is loose on the post(set screw/lever).

Post is loose in the carriage('elevator' clamp[wing nut]).

Anything else must be slop in the carriage post hole.

The carriage itself may contribute, but I doubt that it would be significant.

We do not know the amount of rotation being described as 'a problem'.

From the initial post, I surmise it is the third mentioned above. Perhaps a bit more torque applied to the wing nut?

Thank you everyone for clarifying this. Turns out the table height wing screw wasn't locking down, and with a little extra power to tighten it snapped off. So now I need to purchase a carriage.

I would love the universal tool rest mentioned, but can't afford it right now. Does anyone know if a mark 7 rest will fit a mark 5? Seems I might as well upgrade a bit as I can purchase for $50 used without the tool rest that sits in it.

Does anyone know if the mark 7 carriage fits, and if the mark 5 tool rest would fit in it?

Thanks!

Robert

You can't mix a Mark 7 carriage with a Mark 5; the Mark 5 table won't fit it because the table post holes are further apart. I don't think a Mark 5 tool rest will fit a Mark 7 carriage. Even if it could, because a Mark 7 carriage is wider, I doubt the Mark 5 tool rest will have adequate "reach."

Darn...

Thank you for verifying!

Robert

A mark 7 'rest' with a mark 7 'arm' will work on a mark 5. The extra reach of the arm can be accommodated by positioning the carriage to the side.*

Actually there is no 'mark 7' rest, but there are mark 5/V 500(short) and mark V 505-520/7(long) arms.

* the middle post mount may be used to shorten the longer arm.

JPG wrote:A mark 7 'rest' with a mark 7 'arm' will work on a mark 5. The extra reach of the arm can be accommodated by positioning the carriage to the side.*

Actually there is no 'mark 7' rest, but there are mark 5/V 500(short) and mark V 505-520/7(long) arms.

* the middle post mount may be used to shorten the longer arm.

Are you sure a Mark 7/520/510 tool post fits a 500 carriage?