Shopsmith Forums

The obvious answer is yes. The pinion shaft won't rotate in the spring housing. I can see the coil spring tab sticking through the slot in the bottom of the housing. Any other possibilities that haven't occurred to me?

I have an old quill that I thing is ok, should work right?. Doesn't look Shopsmith sells the part by itself.

Are the quill springs bonded to the pinion shaft now or is that part of the problem? That would explain why they don't sell the quill spring separately. That plus being able to charge a lot more money for a whole new pinion shaft if your spring breaks.

Replaced the whole shaft assembly. I can say without fear of contradiction that replacing the quill spring on a Shopsmith is far easier to do than on any other type of table saw.

Ed,

You started with,

The obvious answer is yes.

Were you answering someone else that has since removed their post?

chapmanruss wrote: Tue Dec 03, 2024 2:00 pm Ed,

You started with,

The obvious answer is yes.

Were you answering someone else that has since removed their post?

Nope. Just saying the problem was obvious. Actually glad it turned out to be that simple, initially I had no idea why the quill was getting sticky and then suddenly jammed part way out.

Well nothing like starting a conversation in the middle!

Details: The quill return spring is connected to the quill shaft by a way of a keyhole shaped hole in the spring that slips over a 'drivet' on the shaft.

This allows the head of the drivet to pass thrrough the large end of the keyhole and the spring slip under the head by way of the narrow end of the keyhole.

This requires correct mounting direction of the spring and reveals WHY allowing the quill shaft to retract freely(goes too far) is part of the tension release NONO procedure. Reverse rotation also can cause the spring end to fracture.

Reattaching the spring keyhole under that head can be a very onerous task. Careful 'forming' of the end of the spring so it has a natural tendency to slip under the head as the quill shaft is rotated will help restore one's religion.

In the past Shopsmith has only sold the Quill Return Spring in the Spring Housing and still does. It is the MARK 7 / MARK V 520/510/505/500 Quill Housing w/Spring part number 521875.

I have at least 1 extra housing since the Marks use the same Spring as the old Model 10's and I needed 1 for a restoration.