Shopsmith Forums

I acquired a second shopsmith a while back, and while sharpening the knives, I discovered there were no washers in the wedges with the screws. The maintenance section of the manual calls for a "number 10 "special" washer. Can I get those locally? What's so "special" about it?

ayatollahgondola,

Welcome to the Shopsmith Forum.

The Cap Screws that hold the Wedges in place on the Jointer Cutter Head does not always have Washers on them. They were used on older Jointers, but their use has been discontinued. The "special" about the washers is they have a smaller outer diameter than "standard" washers. This is to fit down into the recess of the wedge under the Cap Screw.

Since your Jointer does not have any of those Washers, it is likely new enough that it never did have them. Is your Jointer newer than the Owner's Manual you have? Compare the date on the manual to when your Jointer (by the serial number or date code) was made. Check the exploded parts diagram to see if the washers are shown there. Sometimes it takes a while for all the changes to be corrected in the text of the manuals.

The manual I have shows washers, which is how I arrived at the question asked. I have read where some have installed spring washers there in place of the special ones

What pray tell is the purpose of installing "spring washers"?

Maybe split lock washers?

I would have to remove one of the screws from an older Jointer to see if they were "special" flat washers or split lock washers. My 1979 Jointer may be the only one I have that could have the washers.

The Model 4E Jointer which is the oldest Magna/Shopsmith Jointer from 1953 didn't use washers under the screws. The washers were added to the Model 620 Jointer in 1954 when it changed from the Model 4E adding the Mounting Posts to go on the Mark 5.

Yes I was wondering if his "spring washers" were my split ring lock washers. IIRC my 1962 jointer has the washers and were smaller od than standard split ring lock washers.

The 1st manual for the Model 620 Jointer I have simply says Washer. A 9/87 Manual I have calls them #10 Special Flat Washer. The Cutter Head changed in November 1990 to the current one and washers were no longer used.

I consider creativity a good thing, but nomenclature is not a good place to be so.

ok, split lock washers. AKA spring washers. The machine is a 510, but the manual shows a special #10. No need for argument. If it works without a washer, then i'll re-install it that way.

The split lock washers have a biased angle at the split which will dig in to the screw head and the cutter head thus preventing loosening of the screw. If the intended function were to act as a spring the split would have square (or chamfered) edges.

Nit picky details, but they explain the correct function.