Shopsmith Forums

Just wondered if anyone had this item and what they thought of it. The item # is 555994. They are on sale right now and I'm thinking about getting one. Any feedback is appreciated.

I bought one the last time it was on sale(March of this year)and got it in early June. Not sure what the delay was. Anyways it is made by Wolfcraft and the model # is 3410. It seems to be well built and functions like described in the ad. I like the quick jaw release and the clamp that comes with it to use on your workbench as well. Came with the T-Nuts bolts and washers for use on the SS table as well. I think it is worth the sales price.

What is unique about this vise that it will not work with the Model 500, as stated on the SS web page?

I have a 510 upgraded to a 520 so not sure about a 500. I suspect that the 500 table has a different size for the T-track and the T-nuts that fit the 510, 520 will not fit the 500, but this is just my guess.

It appears to me that everything will work on a 500 except the t nuts in the miter gauge bar slot. You could clamp it as you would any other drill vise.

The miter gauge 'lock' 'screw' can be used and the vise set against the miter gauge face(lower edge).

I have this same vise and it has worked well for years, but today I pulled it out and found that the quick release is not working. The button pops in and out as usual, but when pressed in, it does not release from the threaded rod. I squirted some oil around the base of the button as well as on the threaded rod, but this didn't make much difference. I don't recall dropping the vise and nothing appears to be bent. I don't see any way to get into the vise to see what's going on. So I thought I would resurrect this thread and see if anybody else has encountered/solved this problem.

edflorence wrote: ↑Mon Aug 09, 2021 9:54 pm I have this same vise and it has worked well for years, but today I pulled it out and found that the quick release is not working. The button pops in and out as usual, but when pressed in, it does not release from the threaded rod. I squirted some oil around the base of the button as well as on the threaded rod, but this didn't make much difference. I don't recall dropping the vise and nothing appears to be bent. I don't see any way to get into the vise to see what's going on. So I thought I would resurrect this thread and see if anybody else has encountered/solved this problem.

Ed,

I assume you have the older one (item #555994) that has the ability to be used as a bench vise? The reason that I ask is Shopsmith sells a different one now (item #556416). I bought this newer one a year or two ago. The quality was so poor that I returned it to Shopsmith. The quick release didn't work right on it and the screw threads were not cut properly causing a rough feeling on moving the vise jaws (should have been smooth). Recently, I saw someone post on the FB group that the roll pin had sheared on theirs and this was how they received it brand new from Shopsmith. I don't know which version you have, but the newer one seems to be of poor quality...I still haven't bought a new one, but will likely search for a decent cross slide vise.

Old Vise (item #555994): New Vise (item #556416):

RF Guy...Thanks for the information. And, yep,, its the older version. The build quality looks good on it, and this is the first problem its ever given me. I had not used it in a year or so and I suspect rust may have started on the internal parts of the quick release. I can't see into where the issue is, but there are no obvious signs of rust on the outside. This morning I saturated around the button and the threaded screw with a solvent, which ran into the inaccessible area where the quick release meets the screw, and managed to get a lot more movement out of it. So, its usable, but the movable jaw still does not move as easily as it should with the quick release button pressed. A friend suggested either soaking in white vinegar or getting some CLR into the mechanism. Not sure which I will try.

Try evaporust!