Shopsmith Forums

Hi all;
I have a new Power Pro headstock. New meaning new headstock casting and everything. It really has been a joy to use but this weekend I noticed something that I never noticed with any of the older units. I was sanding some shelves for a project to exact length using the sanding disc and the lower blade guard for dust collection. When the quill was extended and then the handle was released the quill would not retract into the headstock. The handle had to be used to move the quill back into the headstock. If I released the handle the quill would stay put wherever it was. When the feed handle was used to put the quill back into the headstock there was a "hitching" movement. I rewaxed the quill and things were only slightly better.
I noticed today that without the weight of the sanding disc and lower blade guard the quill moved in and out normally. If I put slight downward pressure on the end of the spindle I can reproduce the condition. Do any other PP owners have a similar condition? Is this just due to the newness of the unit and will go away with continued use? Comments anyone?
Bill V

Bill,
My PowerPro also does exactly what you've described. I have a 2007 "C" casting that I retrofitted to PowerPro. I don't think it's a big concern, but at the same time it doesn't look like it will "self-heal" to an auto-retract scenario with that much weight on the quill. I honestly can't remember if the "C" headstock did the same thing before I retrofitted it to the PP; that is possible.

I have not had that hitching situation. I noticed when my re-built PowerPro came back (with all new internal parts) the new quill was covered with a light grease rather than being bare. I cleaned the quill and and waxed it. Seems to work super!

Could it be that the allen screw (at the top of the case) is just a wee bit too tight?

Although you've probably checked - the feed stop handle and the quill lock handles need to be free.

Chuck covered all the bases! I remember cleaning my new 2 bearing quill when I got it!.

Methinks removal and good cleaning and waxing(remember the inside of the headstock where the quill slides) will cure the stickiness. I do not think the top screw would be affected by downward pressure as you described.

Charlese;
Why do you think that both handles should be free. I have to use the feed stop to sand to exact length. However I did try with the stop lock and the quill lock loose and the condition is the same. I may decide to pull the quill when I get a moment and check the inside of the casting to see if there any rough spots. Then I will clean and wax the bore of the headstock and see if that helps. Thanks to all for the comments.
Bill V

How about a crazy suggestion? Increase the spring return pressure on the quill to allow for the heavier load with the disc sander. It might be just enough (along with the cleaning and waxing) to allow full return.

[quote="wa2crk"]Charlese]

To tell you the truth, just loosening both in case there is anything mucking up the works. I think I remember a time I had a small sliver of wood jammed into the stop gauge giving rough retraction. At least I think it was a piece of wood! After loosening the knob, quill movement immediately got better. Have not had the issue since.

I've experienced this with my original headstock.

I would suggest removing the quill and waxing the headstock where the quill slides. Removing the quill will also let you wax it completely. In addition, check for any burrs - especially in the groove on the top of the quill.

michaeltoc wrote:I've experienced this with my original headstock.

I would suggest removing the quill and waxing the headstock where the quill slides. Removing the quill will also let you wax it completely. In addition, check for any burrs - especially in the groove on the top of the quill.

Yup - I was working on a headstock yesterday (SN 510-000033!) and it had a sticky quill. A bit of wax cleared that right up.