Shopsmith as drill press

rustysaw · Post by **rustysaw** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:20 pm

Hi fellow woodworkers,
I am new to this forum, I was given a shopsmith markV to use as a
drillpress.It came with a main worktable,saw guard,extension table,
rip fence,lathe tool rest and retractable casters. It is missing a handle
on the right side to use for a drill but has one on the left side, will
this change over, also what position would the control knob be put in
saw-joint,rout-shape. How can I find out when this unit was made.
thanks:)

damagi · Post by **damagi** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:51 pm

check the serial number on the headstock on the end away from the quill. If you are looking at the speed changer dial, it will be on the left side.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/serialnumber.htm

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:58 pm

rusty - The handle to move the quill is useable on either side. Simply screw it off and on. You will find depressions that are used to hold the handle.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jan 04, 2011 6:38 pm

charlese wrote:rusty - The handle to move the quill is useable on either side. Simply screw it off and on. You will find depressions that are used to hold the handle.

You will find three positions the handle will secure to the quill shaft on each end. Thus you can position it as best suits the task at hand.

FWIW Shopsmith sells a three handled hub for use as a drill press.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/itemfind.htm?item=555491&Submit=Find+Item

carverken · Post by **carverken** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 8:40 am

Rusty,

Just a short note. Do not try to change the speed of the unit unless its running. The reeves pully can get damaged if you force it when the unit is not running.

K

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:02 pm

rusty and I have had some communication via PM. He appears to be unable to extend the quill. We have ascertained that it is not locked. He cannot turn the quill shaft at all.

Is it possible that the gears on the quill are gummed up to the extent that it will not move at all.

rust, I am posting a picture here that shows the quill and the gear that causes it to extend. After you have had a chance to view this, maybe we'll be able to solve your problem.

[ATTACH]11413[/ATTACH]

Other than grubby or damaged gears, what might this be. Help me out here fellas.

holsgo · Post by **holsgo** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:24 pm

How about the setscrew on the top of the machine. The one that must be loosened for quill removal. If it's too tight it locks the quill.

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:31 pm

I switch back and forth from drill press to horizontal regularly. Besides changing the handle to fit your needs, I'll mention a few tips. Set the motor head height and the table location while still horizontal, it is much easier. If I really must lift the headstock while vertical, I use a small, one ton, car jack placed on a wooden block across the way tubes to lift the head gently. However, most of the time I just drop the SS back to horizontal, make my adjustments, and return to vertical. I have the lift-assist, making the job simple....just frustrating that I didn't plan ahead.
Enjoy.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 2:34 pm

dusty wrote:rusty and I have had some communication via PM. He appears to be unable to extend the quill. We have ascertained that it is not locked. He cannot turn the quill shaft at all.

Is it possible that the gears on the quill are gummed up to the extent that it will not move at all....

...Other than grubby or damaged gears, what might this be. Help me out here fellas.

Problem could lie in the assembly along the quill feed assembly. Perhaps dust/dirt has jammed the assembly from turning.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/partscat/headstockassemblyexpview.htm

504171 Quill Feed Assembly (incl. 34-43)

521875 Quill Housing w/Spring Assy. (incl. 39-40)

I recently had the "opportunity" to use a "loaner headstock". The quill would extend a small amount then jam. If forced to extend, the quill would not retract easily. A small amount of turbine oil applied to each end of the quill feed shaft quickly got the quill extending and retracting freely. This was followed with a good cleaning (with air compressor) and waxing of the quill. From there the unit worked very well.

Hopefully, the quill spring has not become jammed for some reason. This is it's own separate issue. Repair of the quill spring has been discussed here several times, and quill spring replacement is discussed in Sawdust sessions.

Best wishes. rusty!!!!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 4:05 pm

Is the quill STOP set to "0" with it fully retracted?