Shopsmith Forums

Last week, I decided that I would teach myself woodturning. I previously had bought a 4 jaw Nova chuck for my 510. Apparently I seated the coupler for the Nova on the wrong part of the quill shaft (I snugged it up close to the headstock) because I cannot now remove the chuck/coupler, which is partially inside of the quill housing (please forgive any incorrect terminology): Any advice as to how to free the coupler would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

Your quill appears to be missing its knurled knob. That, in turn, allowed you to put the insert (?) on past where it should seat. Do you have the knurled knob?

I think that is a Nova Insert for an Insert style chuck, as opposed to a Shopsmith adapter for a chuck with a common lathe thread size and pitch. My thinking would be to try simple first: make sure the setscrew on the insert is loose, thread the insert chuck onto the insert and this may give you enough of a grip area to pull the whole thing off. If that doesn't work I would completely remove the setscrew (if possible) and inject PB Blaster or similar via the setscrew hole and the flat at the end of the spindle (if accessible), let it sit overnight, and try pulling it again with the chuck threaded on.

If that doesn't work, my next step would be to use a puller, there are many versions available. You'll want one with jaws that can reach around the chuck so that you'd by pulling the back of the chuck against the end of the quill spindle. If you don't want to buy one you can frequently borrow tools like these from AutoZone, O'Reilly's, etc.

Separate problem if you don't have your knurled knob: The dimensions of the knurled knob vary depending on the exact model of quill you have. As a result, it is difficult to buy this part by itself.

ETA: If you use a puller, the puller's main bolt needs to be smaller than 5/8". I'll mock this up in my shop to check, but I think you could use the Harbor Freight Bearing Separator and Puller Set that is popular with SS users for pulling and installing ball bearings. This tool will put a flat casting against the back of the chuck which should prevent marring it.

- David

I think that is a Nova Insert for an Insert style chuck, as opposed to a Shopsmith adapter for a chuck with a common lathe thread size and pitch.

Correct.

If you can't get enough purchase by just installing the chuck and pulling on it, you could try gently tapping the chuck with a wooden or brass mallet. Tap, rotate, tap, rotate, tap, rotate... I would imagine it's not stuck very tightly.

Once it's off, then yes you need the knurled collar.

Thanks for the replies.

"Your quill appears to be missing its knurled knob." Could someone post a photo of the knob in the correct position? I may have one, but an image would help me find out.

I tried to extract the coupler by use of a plastic covered hammer by tapping/hitting around the perimeter of the 4 jaw chuck, but it did not succeed.

I will investigate a puller device of some kind.

Any other ideas?

I mocked this up using an Insert type Supernova and the Pittsburgh 62593 Bearing Separator and Puller Set that HF sells (around $60). I used the flat side of the large separator from the kit adjusted to be loose on the Insert. I think this would work well, it gives a large flat surface against the back of the chuck as opposed to small grip areas you'd have with a jaw type puller. There are less expensive versions of this kit out there (Amazon has several) but the descriptions tend to exclude the diameter of the lead screw which needs to be under 5/8" to clear the ID of the Insert.

- David

This photo shows two of the versions on knurled knob (aka knurled collar) for the quill. Photo credit to JPG. I believe there is at least one additional version similar to the left one but with different dimensions. The machined portion of this is meant to go inside the quill barrel and should fit up against the outer quill bearing. The setscrew will engage the inner flat on the quill spindle. Then there is a flat side that accessories should seat against when mounted to the spindle.


- David

Thanks, David, for your helpful posts and your mockup efforts.

I have made some progress using a plastic coated dead blow hammer (and a lot of blows) on the back of the Nova chuck:
The quill housing seems to be fine (not deformed as best I can tell).

It appears that my problem is that the "coupler" (as I call it) has improperly attached itself to the quill shaft. I have been trying to persuade it to move off the quill shaft, but prying it off is a challenge. Whatever I pry with will have to be long enough span the quill housing so as not to damage the housing. The opening between the housing and the coupler is so small that I cannot get in a stout prybar.

I will see a neighbor this afternoon to ask if he has a puller device. If not, I will head to Harbor Freight for the puller you identified, David.

Thanks again.

Hank

Make sure the setscrew on your stuck chuck insert is backed way off or removed until you get it off the spindle. There are places where the setscrew might re-engage as as the insert comes off if it is only backed out a little bit.

- David

hjlssfor1 wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2026 2:14 pm the "coupler" (as I call it)

That's a chuck insert. A coupler is an entirely different thing. I'm not trying to be pedantic -- using consistent terminology helps avoid confusion!

Coupler:
If the insert didn't pop loose once you got it clear of the quill body then there's something else going on. It should slip right off. Are you certain the setscrew is loose enough? Trying removing it altogether. Everything looks clean so I doubt it's rust causing it to stick. If it's not the setscrew I fear there's damage to the quill shaft, the insert, or both. Proceed with caution.

hjlssfor1 wrote: Sat Jul 11, 2026 9:00 am Could someone post a photo of the knob in the correct position? I may have one, but an image would help me find out.

Shopsmith filled the setscrew with putty because the collar is not meant to be removed.