Shopsmith Forums

Hi,
Just purchased a 1989 Mark V and am completely new to Shopsmith. Fixing machines isn't my forte in any case. (Damn it Jim, I'm a woodworker, not a mechanic!).
In the first of what is sure to be many questions, I wiggled the motor spring (?), compensating spring (?), and/or "big spring next to the motor sheave" (?), and the hole spring popped off the axle sending parts flying, which I think I found--a big washer and a tiny split ring. See pics.
While I await the arrival of my new split ring pliers from Amazon, can someone tell me if this split ring looks right (it looks much too tiny to me)? And, can I just get a replacement from my local hardware? I assume there's nothing special about the $5 + $12 shipping Shopsmith one...? And, since I seem to have disassembled it :--/, should I be checking the spring for any kind of wear / issue (too springy; not springy enough..).
I do know about holding the spring on with a board with a hole drilled in it to put it all back together.
Thanks,
Steve

Ya gots all de correct parts.

The retaining clip is typically not found in big box hardware depts.

It appears to be slightly deformed and that is likely what caused the stuff to 'fly'.

The left side in de pix is slightly pulled outward. Careful squeezing MAY bring it back to proper dimension. A new one is recommended!!!!

I am curious WHAT you were doing to/with the spring when you wiggled it?.

JPG wrote:. . I am curious WHAT you were doing to/with the spring when you wiggled it?.

I barely touched it. Was looking to oil the shaft and carefully (I thought) looking for the oiling hole that is supposed to be on there behind the spring. Watched a vid of someone putting a flat screwdriver in the spring and turning slightly to open it up. Didn't even get to that stage--just tried pulling on the spring with fingers to see how tight it was and it popped. Thanks