Shopsmith Forums

Let's talk about why the smart people at Shopsmith decided to use a allen-head bolt on the bottom of the bandsaw table that is a different size than every other allen head screw on the entire machine. What the heck were they thinking?!?!

Why didn't they simply use a 5/32" allen-head bolt?

Likely because this is a screw that wasn't meant to be messed with regularly. I've had my Shopsmith for almost 40 years and have never had a reason to turn those screws.

garys wrote: ↑Fri Jan 21, 2022 6:20 pm Likely because this is a screw that wasn't meant to be messed with regularly. I've had my Shopsmith for almost 40 years and have never had a reason to turn those screws.

How did you change blades?

On my bandsaw, the screws are loose enough that the hook can be easily opened and closed by hand without tools. I never saw any reason to tighten it more than that so I never had to loosen it either.

Mine started out tight and continued to re-tighten to prevent vibration from loosening the screws. I suppose a little bit of Loc-Tite could prevent that, I'll try that out next time I change the blade.

OK, regarding screws and the SS tool kit.

Back then when SS adopted the 5/32 hex wrench as a replacement for the three that came with a Model 10 getting the appropriate head on any screw was possible.

Then the screw manufacturers(or what/who ever) created STANDARDS for what size hex socket was used in different size screws and different heads.

The original bandsaw had screws that now the standard calls for 3/16 sockets. I think that is accurate, but is an assumption on my part regarding 'history'.

This standardization has caused some changes in the size screws used so as to use 5/32 wrench which are contrary to the original design.

I have a 1956 Bandsaw which has the screws that use a 5/32" Allen Wrench. I have restored and resold 3 other Bandsaws with Cast Iron Tables, but I do not recall which size Allen Wrench the screws used. They were (in order of restoration) a 1985, a 1978 and a 1984 of which I sold the 1984 just before Christmas but I cannot remember the Allen Wrench size since I always have an 1/8", 5/32" and 3/16" Allen Wrenches close at hand since I work on Model 10's which I do a lot of too. I cannot even tell you if the thread size is the same between my 1956 and the later Bandsaws with Cast Iron Tables. Something I never thought to compare while having different vintage Bandsaws.

There are a number of instances that a different size other than the "Shopsmith Toolbox" 5/32" Allem Wrench is needed due to the size of a set screw used on an item. The 1/4" Router Chuck is an example. I believe JPG is correct in that "Standards" now decide the Allen Wrench size for different Hex Screws.

To eliminate the problem of having other than a 5/32" Allen Wrench size needed for your Bandsaw's Cast Iron Table you could upgrade to the Aluminum Table which uses a carriage bolt and knurled nut to keep the slot aligned. That is a more expensive option than buying a different size Allen Wrench.

Always have a round a 'Swiss Army Allen Wrench' similar to this one: https://www.amazon.com/STEELMAN-41929-9 ... 70113&th=1

Once I find the size I usually grab a regular L wrench from the drawer and keep around until I finish the project. I have several of the regular 5/32 wrenches stuck on magnets around the shop.