Shopsmith Forums

I inherited my shopsmith mk V from a late family member and got a bunch of extra pieces with it.
My only issue is that the handle on the miter gauge doesn't seem to be right. At the bottom where the screw passes through the handle and lower block there is about 1/16 of an inch gap on either side between the inner faces of the handle and the block.
At the top of the handle where the upright passes through, the hole isn't even round, but it's not worn, it just appears to be cast that way. The two halves don't even line up evenly at that point. It looks like maybe something was supposed to be fitted over each half and that would grip the shaft tightly?
Anyway, is there something I'm missing or am I just confused?

Pictures would help.

dablakh0l,

Welcome to the Shopsmith Forum.

Like JPG I am not sure what on the Miter you are referring to. Pictures pointing out the problem part are very helpful. Below is a picture with the screws/stud labeled that are used on the Bar to attach different parts which may be helpful. This is an early Miter without the "T" Slot Washer for the original Table System for the Mark 5/V 500.

_ .
The Link below is to a PDF instruction sheet from here on the Shopsmith website for the Miter.

https://www.shopsmith.com/_files/ugd/d5 ... 2df58f.pdf

Note this is an older guide from 1988 and parts 14 & 15 (the "T" Slot Washer and Screw) are used on all Mark V models except the Mark 5/V 500 with the original Table System not having a "T" Slot.

Thanks for the replies.
The area where my miter gauge is loose is at the interface area circled. Everything else is nice and tight, but the handle area between the upright post and the casting doesn't appear to be worn, it just doesn't fit correctly. I'll try to get some photos later.

dablakh0l,

You last post helps explain it a lot. Pictures/drawings always help.

That point in the Safety (Hand) Grip is a bit loose. I don't know why the tolerances are not "tighter". Maybe to avoid binding when attaching the Grip to the Miter. Do make sure the post is tightened to the Miter's Protractor (the Allen Wrench through the hole in the post is good for that) and the screw is tight where it attaches to the Block. Once the hold-down has pressure on the stock to be cut it will hold it in place against the Miter.

What bothers me is that the grip is sloppy loose everywhere. When you pick up the miter gauge it wobbles side to side. The casting at the bottom where the screws go through the indicator mount is not even tight to the indicator mount, and everything feels extremely cheaply made. I don't know if this is common or not, but it just feels off.

I checked several of mine and they very in how loose they are. I have ones ranging from Mark 5 Greenies up to more current ones. Some were not loose in the mountings at all.