Shopsmith Forums

i just bought a shopsmith mark V an it all works great except for one thing, the quill has some play in it an was wondering if there is a way to adjust that? the play is when turning the chuck, it will turn by hand roughly 1/16" forward an backward (round an round not in an out) before the belt grabs an starts turning (this is all by hand an not by turning on the motor) . pretty sure it is not suppose to do that but no idea if there is a way to adjust a nut or bolt to take up the slack?

You are describing back lash. It can be due to play in the drive sleeve coupling and/or belt(s).

1/16" is not much. I would not be concerned about it. It is a natural result of wear. Belt tension(gilmer/poly-v) may help reduce it.

1/16" is about 3°.

ok thanks, guess i'm just being over cautious LOL.. an i look up my serial # an it shows mine is a 1979, i would have never guess it was that old with the condition it's in! guess it wasnt used a whole lot, but will be now.

If you check SS for the new double bearing quill upgrade it will tell you how to replace the quill and if your MKV will accept the new quill ,depends on the belt ad it comes with the new drive parts , I upgraded myn and it is flawless , glad I did .JMO

If yours is a SS Inc. 1979 model the two bearing quill will fit. I do not consider that backlash to be a good reason to replace the quill.