Shopsmith Forums

Hi, I'm new. I have both a brownie Mark 5 for about 20 years and a Mark VII that I'm just putting into service, as well as a VII parts hulk.

I've noticed that the spindle on the VII is moving a bit relative to its bearing, about a sixteenth out from the sheave. The bearing isn't moving in the sheave. I've done a full teardown on the parts head, and I can't figure out what is meant to keep the spindle solidly in place beside the bearing, as it is on my 5. On the parts head, which was abused by previous owners in various ways, the spindle moves similarly by over a quarter inch.

Can anyone provide some intelligence? Thanks.

StevenAyres wrote:Hi, I'm new. I have both a brownie Mark 5 for about 20 years and a Mark VII that I'm just putting into service, as well as a VII parts hulk.

I've noticed that the spindle on the VII is moving a bit relative to its bearing, about a sixteenth out from the sheave. The bearing isn't moving in the sheave. I've done a full teardown on the parts head, and I can't figure out what is meant to keep the spindle solidly in place beside the bearing, as it is on my 5. On the parts head, which was abused by previous owners in various ways, the spindle moves similarly by over a quarter inch.

Can anyone provide some intelligence? Thanks.

I think you mean quill, not sheave, (the sheaves are the variable pulley parts) .

Regarding the movement, are you referring to

- end play (parallel to the spindle), The spindle knob needs to be adjusted

- radial (rotational). There will always be some, if excessive the plastic part on the drive sleeve needs replacing.

- or runout (side to side) With the single bearing quill this may also be the part on the drive sleeve a bad quill bearing.

End play is what I'm experiencing, thanks.

StevenAyres wrote:End play is what I'm experiencing, thanks.

The spindle knob (knurled collar) on the spindle can be adjusted to take up the end play.

There may be putty covering the set screw, if so dig it out. note the setscrew tightens against a tapered flat that is in line with the flat for accessories. Loosen the setscrew, press the spindle knob against the bearing and re tighten the setscrew. No need to replace the putty (if there was any) older ones had it newer ones don't.

Thanks! That's been a don't-go-there area for so long I didn't even think of it.