Shopsmith Forums

Bought an '89 SS Mark V from original owner that has the 520 upgrade.

Put everything together and notice that there is slight twist/lean (towards operator) of the waytubes. I have the extension poles, so I can get it leveled pretty good, but it is noticeable on the end.

Measuring with a level front to back it looks like there is the same amount of twist on the tubes and on the table, so I'm thinking that shouldn't be an issue?

I took everything apart today and used the alignment guide here on these forums. The tubes were pretty level (just a slight twist) but once the headstock was put back on, the twist really starts to manifest.

I'm not looking for perfection, but want to know when I rip or cut a dado/tenon that I get a good cut.

Guess what I'm asking is if this is normal.

Hi Keys and welcome to the Family;
First make sure that you did not twist anything when you were putting things together.
Now here is the dirty little secret. Release the latch handle and put the machine into drill press mode. Then look on the casting that the way tube tie bar rests on and you will find a plastic bolt that can be moved up and down. It may be necessary to turn this screw only from underneath the casting on some models. Adjusting this screw may take out the twist.
Bill V

keys2heaven wrote:Bought an '89 SS Mark V from original owner that has the 520 upgrade.

Put everything together and notice that there is slight twist/lean (towards operator) of the waytubes. I have the extension poles, so I can get it leveled pretty good, but it is noticeable on the end.

Measuring with a level front to back it looks like there is the same amount of twist on the tubes and on the table, so I'm thinking that shouldn't be an issue?

I took everything apart today and used the alignment guide here on these forums. The tubes were pretty level (just a slight twist) but once the headstock was put back on, the twist really starts to manifest.

I'm not looking for perfection, but want to know when I rip or cut a dado/tenon that I get a good cut.

Guess what I'm asking is if this is normal.

No!

Didja try this???

JPG40504 wrote:No!

Didja try this???

Yes, this is what I referring to in my post.

It almost appears that the casting that holds the way tubes on the pivot end is at an angle. And, I did adjust the set screw near the latch to level the tubes when everything was apart.

Right now, on the latch end, the tubes are level. But on the pivot end, the way tube closest to the operator has a drop of perhaps 1/4".

It really looks like the casting on the pivot end is creating the problem.

I shimmed up the support leg on the low side and readjusted the set screw. Once the extension tubes were locked into place, the table and tubes are level front to back and side to side.

This sounds like a bent tube. If you rotate the tube in the hinge casting, does it rotate true?????

JPG40504 wrote:This sounds like a bent tube. If you rotate the tube in the hinge casting, does it rotate true?????

It is most definitely not a bent tube. I don't think I could get a photo that would really show what I am talking about, but the casting that holds the tube at the pivot end has a pin upon which the casting pivots on. Looking at the end of the this casting (towards the end that latches), I can definitely see that the pin is slightly slanted and causes the casting to sit lower on the left (or front) than the right (rear).

My personal opinion is that the tubes are fine and the set screw is doing its job, keeping the tubes level until about 10" from the pivot end. Then, the tubes start to twist towards the front. I'm inclined to think that the hole for the pin was not machined true and is causing the casting to tilt slightly down.

Bottom line, is that I have a level table and tubes for my cutting area.

Good investigation! While mis-bored Shopsmith castings are very rare, I do have a friend with a mis-bored 500-style carriage casting.
For your Base, if you don't wish to live with that mis-bore, you can find replacements fairly economically in the auction listings. Any should work.

keys2heaven wrote:It is most definitely not a bent tube. I don't think I could get a photo that would really show what I am talking about, but the casting that holds the tube at the pivot end has a pin upon which the casting pivots on. Looking at the end of the this casting (towards the end that latches), I can definitely see that the pin is slightly slanted and causes the casting to sit lower on the left (or front) than the right (rear).

My personal opinion is that the tubes are fine and the set screw is doing its job, keeping the tubes level until about 10" from the pivot end. Then, the tubes start to twist towards the front. I'm inclined to think that the hole for the pin was not machined true and is causing the casting to tilt slightly down.

Bottom line, is that I have a level table and tubes for my cutting area.

That describes a bend in the tube.

JPG40504 wrote:That describes a bend in the tube.

I appreciate the feedback, but the tubes are fine. No deflections, roll fine. In fact, I took the waytubes off the unit (couldn't believe the amount of sawdust collected from them) to clean and rolled them back and forth checking for any wobble. None detected.

Checking the casting with a level indicates that this is the problem. I've ordered a new casting from ebay and will swap out and recheck.

The deflection is very minor and I've managed to take most of it out.