Shopsmith Forums

Hello, I am attempting a total teardown a 1970's headstock and cannot remove the quill advance mechanism. It appears that the woodruff key is blocking the removal and I cannot get the domed washer over the top of the key. Any advice? Thank you.

It has been a while since I've had this portion apart, but the quill feed sleeve (keyed sleeve) should come out the front of the headstock. I can't see enough of it in your picture, but it looks like the inner end of the woodruff key might be pushed up slightly(?). If that is true then the sleeve might also be jammed on the key. If you can get the sleeve off you should be able to tell if this is what is going on. I don't think you normally have to remove the key, but your case may be an exception if it has moved to the end of its slot and climbed out. Good Luck!

This series of detailed Mark 5 reassembly tutorials that JPG authored might prove helpful. The one relevant here is Quill/feed (1 of 3):
https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewtopic.php?t=3765

- David

I agree! Squirt some penetrating oil on the key and gently tap it back down. Then the domed washer inner bore should clear the key. Be careful to not lose the key.

Clean and wax that sleeve.

Thank you both, JPG, I will try to gently tap that key down. Josh, thanks for the excellent link to the images and info JPG provided.

Here is a little bigger view of the problem area. I think you are right, the woodruff key is a little high, (although I have never really looked at this area of the Shopsmith) I saw a sawdust session where Nick Engler said that the woodruff key was actually part of shaft post 1960's, so I thought I could not move it. I sprayed some penetrating oil on it and will try to tap it down later.