What is this stuff, and do I need more of it?

2manband · Post by **2manband** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:00 am

It appears that my newly acquired 2nd Shopsmith machine was pretty much set in table saw mode by the previous owner and seldom changed. On Saturday, I endeavored to break the machine down, do some cleaning, lubing, aligning, etc., and then leave it set up as a lathe.

But I ran into a problem.

The saw arbor refused to come off of the shaft. I loosened the set screw completely (removed it even), let some penetrating oil soak in, and still had no luck. Finally with some serious effort it started to slide. However, in the process of working the arbor off, the whole spindle shaft pulled out of the quill. Once I had the arbor completely removed (it was packed with sawdust), I had to remove the quill stop collar so that I could get some split ring pliers onto the retaining ring, and re-seat the spindle into the quill.

To remove the quill stop collar, I had to pry out some grey putty that held the set screw in place. It appears that this grey goop went on at the factory as my other machine has the same thing. What is this stuff? Where can I get some more of it? Seems that it's there to keep the set screw from working loose - any reason I couldn't just substitute a little loctite?

tdubnik · Post by **tdubnik** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:34 am

That stuff serves no purpose other than to discourage you from working on the quill. Once it's out there is no reason to replace it. When you reinsert the set screw make sure it is aligned with the groove in the quill, then tighten it until it just bottoms out and then back it out just enough for the quill to slide freely in and out. That's all it takes.

2manband · Post by **2manband** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:58 am

tdubnik wrote:That stuff serves no purpose other than to discourage you from working on the quill. Once it's out there is no reason to replace it. When you reinsert the set screw make sure it is aligned with the groove in the quill, then tighten it until it just bottoms out and then back it out just enough for the quill to slide freely in and out. That's all it takes.

Just to be sure that we're talking about the same part - the one I worked on is labeled #65 in this drawing. The grey goop holds in set screw #66. I had to remove it to reinstall split ring #64

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/part ... xpview.htm

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:13 am

That adjustment that Tdubnik was talking about is the on top of the headstock. It holds the quill in the headstock.

bucksaw · Post by **bucksaw** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:14 am

2manband wrote:Just to be sure that we're talking about the same part - the one I worked on is labeled #65 in this drawing. The grey goop holds in set screw #66. I had to remove it to reinstall split ring #64

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/part ... xpview.htm

It is not necessary to replace the putty/lead on any of the set screws on the headstock. Watch a few of the Shopsmith Online maintenance videos...they are really helpful.

2manband · Post by **2manband** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 10:14 am

beeg wrote:That adjustment that Tdubnik was talking about is the on top of the headstock. It holds the quill in the headstock.

I wondered if maybe that wasn't the case. The one I'm thinking off shouldn't have any affect on how easily the quill moves.

tdubnik · Post by **tdubnik** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:09 am

2manband wrote:Just to be sure that we're talking about the same part - the one I worked on is labeled #65 in this drawing. The grey goop holds in set screw #66. I had to remove it to reinstall split ring #64

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/part ... xpview.htm

Sorry, didn't pay attention to the exact set screw you were talking about. The recommendation applies to all of the screws filled with the putty though.

2manband · Post by **2manband** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:06 pm

bucksaw wrote:It is not necessary to replace the putty/lead on any of the set screws on the headstock. Watch a few of the Shopsmith Online maintenance videos...they are really helpful.

Thanks bucksaw. My logic was that if the set screws in the arbor, etc. don't require a locking substance, then this one shouldn't either, but I also didn't want things to come flying apart at high speed, so I figured better safe than sorry.

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:56 pm

The putty used with the set screw that is in the top of the headstock is there for a reason.

It keeps the set screw from vibrating loose, and if this happens, it can either tighten into the groove on the quill and prevent it from moving in and out, or in most cases, will loosen out of the groove which can cause the entire quill to start spinning.

It is best to replace this "putty?" and not ignore it. It is put there for a reason. If I ever do need to remove the putty, I do so by screwing the end of a wood screw into the putty and then pulling it out. The putty will stay on the screw. I can keep it there while doing any other headstock maintenance I am doing, and then put the putty back in place by pushing it back into the hole while it is still on the screw. This works for me every time.

Everything I have read about maintenance when it pertains to this putty is that you should always replace it when you are finished. They really focused on this point at the Traveling Academies.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:40 pm

This is clearly a matter of varying views. Personally, I side with bucksaw and others, including Nick. Nick talks about prying the "gunk pucky" out, but never mentions putting it back in.