Shopsmith Forums

A 'new' Shopsmith followed me home the other day and I am gleefully bringing it back to full life. It is a Mark V model 510 built in 1994 and actually runs nicely (with a few exceptions) despite a rather unsheltered and unknown past. Missing quite a few normal accessories but did have a jointer which is the primary reason I bought it. The mud dauber nests in all the nooks and crannies are a free side benefit(?).

But I am losing focus here! The biggest problem at this point is a frozen quill. It will not bulge. I have a fresh can of PB Blaster which I am going to apply as liberally as I can around the outside of the quill where it enters the head casting. I am also going to remove the set screw in the top of the head that you normally loosen up to pull the quill - then I will squirt PB down into the hole and, hopefully, it will migrate around the quill.

So does anyone have any other suggestions? Purty please?

Sounds to me like you are on the right track.

In addition I would open up the headstock and remove the Shopsmith Medallion and have a look inside. Pay particular attention to the quill advance mechanism and make sure to clean out the impacted sawdust. Look for broken teeth and anything else that could be an obstruction.

Hopefully these suggestions along with what you have already done will solve the problem.

Are you sure it is the quill that is frozen?

I am going to assume you know nothing about a SS Mark V for completeness sake(do NOT be insulted!).

1) Is the quill LOCK disengaged? Loosen the large wing nut(it says quill lock on it). If the quill now moves, you 'fixed' it!

2) Look at the quill feed DIAL. Does it say "0"? If it does, loosen the quill feed wing nut and rotate dial to 4"+ stop. Tighten quill feed wing nut. If the quill now moves, you 'fixed' it.

3) Make sure quill set screw on top of headstock is NOT tightened all the way. If the quill now moves, make sure quill set screw is in its groove(take set screw all the way out and verify groove directly below set screw hole), then re tighten quill set screw until it just contacts quill(in the groove). Back out SLIGHTLY and verify quill advances and retracts SMOOTHLY....You 'fixed' it.

4) If you are still looking for a 'fix', take a deep breath!

Post your success or lack thereof. If lack applies we will start disassembling the quill advance/quill lock giz witches.....Hop:) e you are already successful!

P.S. Clean out and inspect as tdubnik has suggested REGARDLESS!!!!!

You do have the quill lock loosened and your depth stop loose. I know one day my heart stopped when I couldn't move my quill, then I reached over and loosened the depth stop that was set for zero. Another time it wouldn't move and again my heart stopped I quickly checked the depth stop and it was fine but the lock was tight.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Yes, I am familiar with the SS (owned my 1984 unit since it was new). I did double check and make sure all the locks, stops, etc on the quill were thoroughly loosened up.

I did rotate the medallion on the side (as well as pulling the headstock cover and moving it out the way) and check the inside - it is very nice and clean, by the way. Surprisingly clean, I might add. The rack, etc look great.

This SS could become my primary!

The comments on double checking the quill locks, etc did get me to thinking that I should also make sure that the quill lever shaft bearings should also be spritzed to make sure that shaft is free to turn. Thanks for helping me think of that. Well, back to work on it. Thanks to all for comments and I'll keep an eye on the thread. I'll update it as I find things out.

bobgroh wrote:
So does anyone have any other suggestions? Purty please?

One possible, not too likely, thing that may be happening. The set screw on the top of the headstock may have been screwed in. Anyway try loosening it.

UPDATE: bottom line -- quill still frozen.

I got a can of PB Blaster and have been liberally spraying everything in the quill area that should move. Removed the rubber ring that buffers the quill and removed the snap ring on the quill so I could get good spray access to the area between the quill and the headstock. Removed the set screw on the top of the headstock and squirted down the hole. Virtually removed the quill control lever - no difference. The quill control lever does rock a bit and the shaft is free so none of that is holding anything up. The quill is just frozen in place like a rock. No movement at all.

I think I will soak and prod for a day or so more. Then I might go so far as to pull the belts and remove the output shaft (i.e. the part that slides into the quill) along with the lever and shaft that run the quill in and out. And maybe drop the motor out. Then I might try gently pushing the quill in an outward direction by applying pressure to the end of the quill from inside the headstock. Maybe I can make something with some wood blocks and a screw/nut arrangement to push the quill forward.

Or maybe I should send the stripped down head with the quill in it to someone who knows what the heck they are doing?

bobgroh wrote:...Or maybe I should send the stripped down head with the quill in it to someone who knows what the heck they are doing?

You can always do that if your own efforts fail.

bobgroh wrote:Maybe I can make something with some wood blocks and a screw/nut arrangement to push the quill forward.

if you set it up vertical, you could put a clamp (carefully) on the spindle and hang a weight from it. an open bucket of sand as the weight might protect the quill if it falls out overnight.

just a thought.

Ivan