Shopsmith Forums

Restoring an 1980's headstock that was given to me. Does anyone know the size U-nut and pan head screw that is used to hold the motor pan and belt cover to the headstock. Also, any recommendations for gray paint to repaint without going back to Shopsmith for paint.

Here's what mine from a 1980 model look like and measure. Forgot to photograph the distance between the two legs of the clip, but it measures about 1/8".

I think the screws are 1/2" long #6-32, but I couldn't get them to thread into nuts that size ... perhaps the starting threads were just too messed up.

I have since replaced all of the original screws with hex washer head sheet metal screws as shown in the last picture. The slotted head screws were too difficult for me to remove and replace with a flat blade screw driver for fear of slipping out and scratching the covers. And, the grip wasn't always the best with machine screws. A 1/4" nut driver is all I need now.

The 'clip' needs to be the 'thicker' variety that fits the thickness of the casting. They have a 'name' but it escapes me at the moment.(tinnerman?)

The screws on mine are Phillips Head #8 about a 1/2" long and Tinnerman clips to match. They were the same on a 1982 Mark V I restored. Earlier Slotted Head screws were used and the casting holes on older Mark 5's were threaded.

If anyone knows the correct size and thread pitch for the motor pan fasteners on and old greenie I'd appreciate it. I bought and repaired one that was apart and without fasteners. Despite keeping every fastener that's ever come across my bench I couldn't find a match. I wound up firing five rivets into it. If I have to take it apart again I can just drill the heads off without damaging the threads.

shackman66 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 31, 2021 8:40 am If anyone knows the correct size and thread pitch for the motor pan fasteners on and old greenie I'd appreciate it. I bought and repaired one that was apart and without fasteners. Despite keeping every fastener that's ever come across my bench I couldn't find a match. I wound up firing five rivets into it. If I have to take it apart again I can just drill the heads off without damaging the threads.

Don't recall if you had threaded holes originally but if so they are probably stripped out. You need to get some Tinnerman clips so you can use sheet metal screws or something similar with a tapered point to replace the original screws. Tinnerman clips are shown in the picture up above and are available at hardware stores in a variety of sizes.

shackman66 wrote: ↑Tue Aug 31, 2021 8:40 am If anyone knows the correct size and thread pitch for the motor pan fasteners on and old greenie I'd appreciate it. I bought and repaired one that was apart and without fasteners. Despite keeping every fastener that's ever come across my bench I couldn't find a match. I wound up firing five rivets into it. If I have to take it apart again I can just drill the heads off without damaging the threads.

Mine are 12-24 but I can't say that is the original standard. It had a mixture when I got it, requiring three different tools. I changed it years ago, might have been more about standardizing than correcting. If I have to do it again I'll switch to the sheet metal screws and clips, that casting is a bit soft and thin to hold threads.

- David

3/16(=10-24) were original(IIRC). I have added epoxied on kep nuts where wear has been a problem. Good adhesion can be troublesome.

Unless the holes in the Headstock casting have been damaged in the last 60 plus years they were threaded and I believe they were # 8 - 32 screws and should be the same as the belt cover. If the holes are stripped out you could change to screws and Tinnerman clips.

Thanks all. If I don't have a fastener from my tin cans/peanut butter jars/ bean barrels that fits in my pile of s--t it's probably faffed anyways. I could tap it to a proper standard METRIC but screw it, rivets work just fine and if someone else needs to get into it they can drill it out. This units serial number 344440 falls in the middle of no mans land so it's not special except it's mine so no special attention.

BTW - I am chuffed at the response from the community. To get so many quality responses in so short a time. First time I saw a 10ER it gave me a ----- so hard but a MK5 with its goodies makes so much more sense and completes my tiny shop.