Shopsmith Forums

I have a older shopsmith, not for sure on the year but its a greene mark V and the years i think are between 60s-70s. I had problem getting an attachment off one day and when i finally did, i somehow altered the main quill and now getting anything on it like the disc sander or table saw or anything really, is impossible. So i was wondering if anyone knows if these quills are easy to replace by hand or should i have the company do it and can i even find a replacement and how much do they cost. This was given to me from my grandfather and i would like to keep it nice and working.

buchan91 wrote:I have a older shopsmith, not for sure on the year but its a greene mark V and the years i think are between 60s-70s. I had problem getting an attachment off one day and when i finally did, i somehow altered the main quill and now getting anything on it like the disc sander or table saw or anything really, is impossible. So i was wondering if anyone knows if these quills are easy to replace by hand or should i have the company do it and can i even find a replacement and how much do they cost. This was given to me from my grandfather and i would like to keep it nice and working.

Yes, parts are available and I believe that you will have no real serious problem replacing it.

That having been said, I feel that it is necessary to make sure we are talking about the same thing. Is this the working end of what you have trouble with?

[ATTACH]11612[/ATTACH]

In that photo, take note of the set screw on the top on the headstock. That set screw may be covered with a soft lead or putty. If so, dig it out to gain access to the scet screw that secures the quill.

Detailed instruction (that I believe you should view) are contained in the Sawdust Sessions. The last four contain information you need for this task.

Welcome to the forum!

Being relatively new to the Shopsmith, I can't offer much but here are a few links that are probably a good idea to visit.

1. First, mickyd's catalog of repair discussions on this forum. The Sawdust Sessions are the second bullet and walk you through cleaning and lubricating the headstock. Also, check out the restoration threads.
2. Ebay is a great place for replacement part and you can sometimes get them new from Shopsmith, Inc. for about the same price.
3. I HIGHLY recommend acquiring a copy of "Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone" as it has much user information in it and a lot of great ideas for jigs and homemade accessories. Other literature you may need is a manual, which is available from Shopsmith or you can download digital copies from the 1950's here.
4. Here's Nick Engler's disassembly and cleaning instructions.
5. Shopsmith Most Common Problems and Remedies
6. Instructions for posting photos. Post lots!

Lastly, the "search" function on this forum is a powerful tool for finding help when you need it. Just be sure to enter words with four letters or more.

All the best.

buchan91 wrote: I had problem getting an attachment off one day and when i finally did, i somehow altered the main quill and now getting anything on it like the disc sander or table saw or anything really, is impossible.

It's quite possible that you have a tiny bur on the end of the quill. Try cleaning it up with some very fine emery cloth or wet-or-dry sandpaper. It would probably be right on the end, but you can tell where it is as you try to attach an arbor.

My SS was in exactly that state when I first saw it. A friend had had it for years and had quit using it for that reason, buying other tools in the meantime. I offered to fix it for him and removed the bur in a few minutes. He was very happy, but later gave me the SS since he'd filled his shop with so many other tools. Not a bad deal for me.

It sounds like a burr is the problem. Sometimes you can't even feel it, but the tolerance for the arbors fitting on the end of the quill is so small that the tiniest burr can cause that kind of problem. If you can't feel it, a nylon stocking can help you find it.
Once you do find a burr, very carefully file just the burr off. You will not want to change the diameter of the end of the quill any. A jeweler's file will work perfectly, or emery board can substitute.

Stay safe everyone

I agree with all the earlier comments re the burr!

However if it is a greenie, replacing with a new quill will require upgrading to a poly-v drive as well(new idler shaft and main shaft and belt) since the splines are different.

I would look for the reason for the 'problem' until 'discovered' and 'fixed'.

It is quite likely you created a burr near the end of the shaft by removing the attachment with the set screw not completely backed out enough to clear the unflatted end of the shaft.

Gently use a fine flat file!