Shopsmith Forums

While rearranging my shop space to set up my new (to me) Shopsmith, I noticed that the table tilt lever is missing from my Bandsaw. It appears to have been removed by one of the previous owners. I think I found the missing lever in the various accessories and odds-n-ends I received with the machine, but I am unsure how to actually reinstall this part. The lever has a number of washers and spacers (two large diameter, one smaller diameter and thicker, and one thin black one), and I am not sure how they are supposed to be installed on the bolt. I checked the manuals and ran a couple web searches, but haven't turned up any specific information. I suspect that the handle comes already installed, and is not normally removed. As far as I can tell, the previous owner was adjusting table tilt by loosening the other bolt with a wrench. I have too loosen that bolt to adjust table tilt. I'd like to reinstall the lever and use it correctly. My guess is that the lever goes through that bushing, with a couple spacers on each side, but I am not sure exactly how it should be installed.

I'm also assuming that the nut on the other bolt should be a bit loose rather than tight, otherwise the table will be locked even after releasing the table tilt lever. Is this correct? Is it intended to adjust the friction of the table tilt adjustment?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated! The bandsaw is crucial to my upcoming project. :-)

This might help.

https://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/manuals/845541.pdf

Mechanizoid,

The Bandsaw Manual JPG provided the link to is for the current Bandsaw with the Aluminum Table. The locking hardware is different than the older hardware you have. If you have the Manual for your Bandsaw showing the Cast Iron Table, you can refer to it for the proper installation.

If not, the special Table Clamp Bolts go through the inside Trunnion followed by one large Washer. That large Washer goes over the outside of the Bushings in the Main Frame/casting. Next on the back side of the Main Frame/casting goes the other Trunnion then the second large washer. This is where the instructions vary for the rear fixed nut and the Locking Handle. The fixed gets a 3/8" Washer and the 3/8" Stop Nut. The front gets a thrust Washer, the 3/8" Washer and the Lock Handle. I don't see the thrust washer with the hardware you show in your first picture unless it is hiding between the two large washers and the 3/8" washer.

Thank you for your replies, JPG and Russ.

This is where the instructions vary for the rear fixed nut and the Locking Handle. The fixed gets a 3/8" Washer and the 3/8" Stop Nut. The front gets a thrust Washer, the 3/8" Washer and the Lock Handle. I don't see the thrust washer with the hardware you show in your first picture unless it is hiding between the two large washers and the 3/8" washer.

There is indeed another piece of hardware hiding there. I identified it as a curved disc spring, like the ones shown on the Mcmaster-Carr page: https://www.mcmaster.com/products/sprin ... springs-6/ I'll try to get a good pic of it later.

Is this the thrust washer you mentioned? I looked up thrust washers on Mcmaster-Carr, but it turned up things like oil-impregnated thrust bearings, which sounds inappropriate for this application. https://www.mcmaster.com/products/thrust-washers/ Once again, my general unfamiliarity with hardware rears its head.

I'll double check my paperwork for any manuals showing the cast-iron table. Sounds like the correct order is this:

1. Bolt
2. Large washer
3. Bushing
4. Large washer
5. Curved disc spring
6. 3/8" washer
7. Locking Lever

One last question—is the proper tightness of the rear Fixed Nut a little loose, to allow for the Locking Lever to actually release the table? Currently the Fixed Nut is pretty tight, since the previous owners used it in place of the Locking Lever.

It should be snug but not so tight as to prevent intentional table tilting.

JPG wrote: Sat Jun 24, 2023 4:49 pm It should be snug but not so tight as to prevent intentional table tilting.

Thanks! Right now it's locked down tight. I will loosen it when I install the Locking Lever.