Shopsmith Forums

I just got my Shopsmith 505681 Jointer in the mail today. I have a few questions. There was several washers on the stud for the table, how many should be on top and on the bottom? Also I'm not sure I have the fence attached right to the table, but if I grab it at the end farthest from the lever that locks the fence at what ever angle you want, I can move it up and down about 1/4 of an inch and even flop it left and right. What causes that and how can I fix it?

APerna1985 wrote:I just got my Shopsmith 505681 Jointer in the mail today. I have a few questions. There was several washers on the stud for the table, how many should be on top and on the bottom? Also I'm not sure I have the fence attached right to the table, but if I grab it at the end farthest from the lever that locks the fence at what ever angle you want, I can move it up and down about 1/4 of an inch and even flop it left and right. What causes that and how can I fix it?

The lever for the jointer fence is double-acting, i.e. serves two purposes. Please see the attached thread that discusses this and see if it explains your problem. Basically one single lever is used to both tighten the fence to the jointer AND to set the angle of the fence.

https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/begi ... 17722.html

For your first question, I am not sure I understand what you mean. Have you checked what you received versus the exploded parts diagram here:

https://www.shopsmith.com/service/joint ... iagram.htm

APerna1985 wrote:I just got my Shopsmith 505681 Jointer in the mail today. I have a few questions. There was several washers on the stud for the table, how many should be on top and on the bottom? Also I'm not sure I have the fence attached right to the table, but if I grab it at the end farthest from the lever that locks the fence at what ever angle you want, I can move it up and down about 1/4 of an inch and even flop it left and right. What causes that and how can I fix it?

If you are asking about the stud, washers and nut that holds the Infeed Table to the Base/Outfeed Table there are 5 washers. Three are standard Flat Washers and two Spring Washers which alternate to provide tension between the Base/Outfeed and Infeed Tables. All the washers go below the Base/Outfeed Table with the Nut. Unfortunately the Diagram does not show that. The correct position is shown in the picture below in the red circle. The Spring Washers are between the Flat Washers that can be seen.
It is shown on a Model 4E jointer but all Jointers use the washers in the same place.

Somewhat related - my jointer fence does have some play vertically if you lift or push down on the exit table side of the fence. This seems to originate at the mounting point on the input side of the jointer where the fence mounts to the input table base.

I haven't looked at it closely to see if something is loose there.

One thing I find is that the gap on the output table side of the fence is pretty large and allows thinner stock to slide under when jointing-leaving me little in control of the direction the stock is moving with the upward motion of the blade counteracting the table friction.

Sorry the pic is blurry-but you get the idea-thin stock can slide underneath the fence. Especially as you transition to input table pressure to output table pressure.

I dont see an obvious vertical adjust on the fence. Normally I put a thin board along the fence which has already been jointed partially to span the blade gap and provide the low wall I'm looking for on the output side.

There are some holes in the fence-i haven't looked enough to determine if those are actually for additional mounts. Im typically just finding an available place to clamp onto the existing fence.


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IIRC, this is a result of repeated too tight securing the fence in position. The part of the fence that slides on the front rail becomes slightly deformed(opened up) and that raises the back end of the fence. CAREFUL squeezing the deformed casing will restore it to normal positioning(tab just off the table).

Oh thanks ! -thats good to know-I guess i need to take a closer look at how it is mounted.
It came this way to me-but maybe there is some gentle nudging i can do to improve the situation.

The gap bètween the table and fence is defiinety excessive and poses a hazard that would cause to NOT use without repair. Repair that believe nessiitates parts. I will post a picture of what I belive needs to be replaced. I suggest long term repair is impossible due to the nature ofthe deformed part.

Remember there is a normal gap between the fence and the outfeed table to allow for the up to 5/16" thick cut the Jointer can make. Normally the fence should be very close to the infeed table. Yours does look to be excessive but I cannot be sure since the wood is in the way of seeing the gap between the infeed table and fence. If the gaps are excessive you could try the suggestion from JPG but use caution not to damage the cast part. A replacement Jointer Quadrant Assembly is $44.07 plus S & H.

Well I had some time to dig into my jointer problem - it looks like that casting which clamps the bar is bent a bit.

I did what I could to adjust-still some play in the fence but I guess it manaegeable for now. I tried squeezing it in the vice a little- but i don't think i budged it.



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