Shopsmith Forums

I have two issues with my miter bar I need to ask about.

First, I can't seem to get the miter bar to "lock" in place using the tapered screw that's in the slit in the bar. I can tighten that screw until it won't turn anymore, but the miter bar will still move. It's tight and doesn't move real easy, but it is by no means locked in place either. It's not tight enough to rely on it holding.

Second, I'm also missing a couple of parts. Parts 283 and 284 in this diagram:



Part 284 is obvious, but what is part 283? The parts list just says "washer" but doesn't give any details. What material and thickness and diameter is it? What purpose does it serve? How necessary is it? Are those missing parts related to my first problem?

heathicus wrote:I have two issues with my miter bar I need to ask about.

First, I can't seem to get the miter bar to "lock" in place using the tapered screw that's in the slit in the bar. I can tighten that screw until it won't turn anymore, but the miter bar will still move. It's tight and doesn't move real easy, but it is by no means locked in place either. It's not tight enough to rely on it holding.

Second, I'm also missing a couple of parts. Parts 283 and 284 in this diagram:



Part 284 is obvious, but what is part 283? The parts list just says "washer" but doesn't give any details. What material and thickness and diameter is it? What purpose does it serve? How necessary is it? Are those missing parts related to my first problem?

The tapered screw that expands the bar requires mucho mucho torque to get the bar tight. Turn the ss tool kit and PULL with long arm. It will complain. A little grease helps. Oil is bad!

The 'washer' is just big enough to fit into the bottom of the t-slot. Mine are all missing also! That tell ya something?

Both the washer and the screw are csunk.

I was trained by SS academy to use a sheet of paper wrapped around the sides and bottom of my miter bar before I tigthened it.

I usually stick two slivers of paper on either side and then tighten the screw.

Locks my miter bar right down and I don't have to make a bunch of turns of the screw to do it.

Ed in Tampa wrote:I was trained by SS academy to use a sheet of paper wrapped around the sides and bottom of my miter bar before I tigthened it.

I usually stick two slivers of paper on either side and then tighten the screw.

Locks my miter bar right down and I don't have to make a bunch of turns of the screw to do it.

Interesting! Increases friction, and shims all at the same time!

The washer and screw are for the 510 miter bar. There is a slot cut in the 510 table miter slot for the washer to slip into. It keeps the miter bar from coming out of the track.

jayhawk wrote:The washer and screw are for the 510 miter bar. There is a slot cut in the 510 table miter slot for the washer to slip into. It keeps the miter bar from coming out of the track.

Mine is a 500 and was purchased new before (just before) the 500 was released. At least by my research.

So it serves no function at all on a 500 table?

heathicus wrote:Mine is a 500 and was purchased new before (just before) the 500 was released. At least by my research.

So it serves no function at all on a 500 table?

No t-slot, no function! Sorry I did not realize/remember yer 86 was a 500! !!!:o

I, too, use the piece of paper between the miter bar and slot to tighten the bar. It works very well and avoids overtightening the allen screw as in this thread: https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=2203 Not a nice position to find yourself.