Shopsmith Forums

Several months ago I purchased a 500 & 510 that were shop fire survivors. Both are up and running in part because of the great advise on this forum. I've got a question about the 500's quill (I think I know the answer). I've set it up for lathe work ( ok I'm an absolute novice so it can't really be called lathe work). if I try any end grain I get some minor wobble at the working end of the piece. Recently bought a General 3 jaw chuck & can't get anything round due to wobble. Pulled out the quill & am assuming it's a single bearing. With the quill out there is quite a bit of wobble on the drive end and I'm guessing worn out. Is it time to buy a new quill?

If all else looks good, you can probably just replace the bearing.
Here is a quote from a forum guru that I used to get my bearings. Good luck!

From Bill Mayo: I order my bearings by size, not by number. The quill bearing is 6202ZZ-5/8 (5/8" X 35mm X 11mm) (202KDD5 is the same size). The drive sleeve bearings are 6205ZZ (25mm X 52mm X 15mm) (205KLL2 is the same size) Each bearing number can come in many different sizes. I buy my Precision bearings from Bob Hill (bobhill5@earthlink.net). A nice gentleman to deal with. I like a shielded bearing over a sealed bearing but either are OK. If he does not have them, then I buy bearings on Ebay from jjdini3 first or irvineman. Price for the same bearing can vary quite a bit so shop around.
Price from Bob Hill was $3.89 each w/ free shipping (April, 2010)

I'm guessing that this is a single bearing quill. would buying a two bearing quill be worth it?

Shopsmiths after serial number 190000 are two-bearing quills (unless someone along the way swapped it for a single bearing). See http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthr ... #post21064
Post #10 to see how to check which quill you have.

I ordered one of these "6202ZZ-5/8 (5/8" X 35mm X 11mm)" and it was too small. Something like .012 smaller than the origional. I'll have to check when I get home.

ted2 wrote:I ordered one of these "6202ZZ-5/8 (5/8" X 35mm X 11mm)" and it was too small. Something like .012 smaller than the origional. I'll have to check when I get home.

A picture of your single bearing quill & bearing and any measurements of the original and/or new bearing would be of great interest to me as I have only seen one size bearing (5/8" X 35mm X 11mm) used from 1964 to 1984 in the Mark V quills.

Shopsmith have used at least 4 different double bearing quill designs since 1984 with at least one or both of the bearings being a different size than the previous double bearing quill design. I have been seeing the back bearing in the earlier double bearing quills failing quite often.

I have machined several of the single bearing quill housing and shaft to accept a second same size bearing behind the front bearing. Using a small 5/8" spacer between the two bearings seems to really stablize any run-out/play of the quill shaft over long periods of time and operation.

The 500 is ser# 169480 so must be a single bearing.

took the quill off again for another look. splined end has a washer. Used 2 bearing quill on Ebay or $149 for new at Shopsmith ... leaning towards new but have a couple of items from Shopsmith on back order for the last 6 weeks.

rhartley wrote:took the quill off again for another look. splined end has a washer. Used 2 bearing quill on Ebay or $149 for new at Shopsmith ... leaning towards new but have a couple of items from Shopsmith on back order for the last 6 weeks.

518210 Quill Assembly
(MARK V Models 505/510/520 Headstock Assembly)
Quill Assembly
Item #'s 59 - 66 in exploded view drawing
Click here to view exploded view drawing

This item is a service or replacement part. If you have any questions about this item, please contact our Technical Support line prior to ordering. The number to call is 1-800-543-7586. Thank you! Price $149.29
Status: Item may be on back-order, or built to order.
please call 1-800-543-7586 if you have any questions


The quill might make it three items on back order.

rhartley wrote:took the quill off again for another look. splined end has a washer. Used 2 bearing quill on Ebay or $149 for new at Shopsmith ... leaning towards new but have a couple of items from Shopsmith on back order for the last 6 weeks.

I have not had any luck buying 2 bearing quills on Ebay. The bearings always had too much play and needed replacement. I recommend buying a new one from Shopsmith, even if back ordered, if you can afford it. The new 2 bearing quill has larger bearings and should operate a lot longer without any problems.