Shopsmith Forums

I was reading up on another thread about restoring these machines and Heathicus and JPG both used a automotive or marine expansion plug. I looked for one of those locally and could not find any. Can someone point me in the direction of finding one preferably at a local supplier that I could run down and pick one up i.e. Ace Hardware, Carquest, etc. Thanks guy's I really need one of these gizmos to finish the tubes on my new Mark V acquisition.

I found mine at ACE in the plumbing dept.

Paul M

wannabewoodworker wrote:I was reading up on another thread about restoring these machines and Heathicus and JPG both used a automotive or marine expansion plug. I looked for one of those locally and could not find any. Can someone point me in the direction of finding one preferably at a local supplier that I could run down and pick one up i.e. Ace Hardware, Carquest, etc. Thanks guy's I really need one of these gizmos to finish the tubes on my new Mark V acquisition.

Auto parts stores should carry them. They are used to replace the freeze plugs in an engine should they rot / come out. Get the correct size range. Way and bench tubes have different ID's

beeg wrote:Did ya try the plumbing dept?

I did but struck out I will try Ace Hardware tomorrow. Thanks guy's your the best!

wannabewoodworker wrote:I was reading up on another thread about restoring these machines and Heathicus and JPG both used a automotive or marine expansion plug. I looked for one of those locally and could not find any. Can someone point me in the direction of finding one preferably at a local supplier that I could run down and pick one up i.e. Ace Hardware, Carquest, etc. Thanks guy's I really need one of these gizmos to finish the tubes on my new Mark V acquisition.

Freeze plug, frost plug, core plug, rubber expansion plug.

Auto parts stores.Hopefully someone working there will recognize one of those names.

If not, pm me and I will send you one. You need to be sure what the id of the tubes is(yes they do vary - 1 3/8, 1 1/2, 1 5/8) model 10 is 13/4 od and 1 3/8 id, way tubes 1 3/4 od and 1 1/2 id and SOME Early bench tubes 1 7/8 od and 1 5/8 id.

BTW Plumbing plugs are not available in the right sizes.

I got mine at the local True Value hardware store. 1-1/2" worked in both my way and bench tubes.

Picked mine up at Home Depot for a couple bucks apiece.

i got mine at Napa... a Tube nut (coupler) is a good idea to add along with the nut on the end of the expansion plug, this will eliminate any chance of the thing coming loose. I put a piece of threaded rod on the other end of the tube nut to attatch my to my drill chuck.

I used "Papco" brand "E-Z Seal" expansion plugs from a local automotive supplier in 1 1/2" and 1 5/8" sizes. They fit my MKV tubes perfectly. However, I had to replace the flat washer on the larger one with a heavier washer because the original was collapsing under the torque of the tightening nut allowing the tube to spin on the rubber insert. To adapt these to my drill I tightened a coupler for threaded rod onto the bolt and then threaded a bolt that I cut the head off into the other end to be inserted into my drill chuck. This worked quite well. You might check out my thread on my experience with my tubes.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=5161