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Bought used SS in 1999; Mark V 510 made in 1991. Have tried several arbors/blades with different length setscrews and after stopping SS found arbor/blade very loose. About 1/2 inch in vertical plane. Arbor has moved to right from headstock. Need help? Any suggestions? Did not detect problem until 2011 even though purchased it used in 1999.

[quote="historia"]Bought used SS in 1999]From time to time I have heard of set screws loosening and, in those cases, replacing the worn set screws solved the problem. In the interim, you could use some blue (not red) loctite on the arbor set screw to see if this prevents them from backing out. Somewhere I also read the set screws used in arbors were special. I cannot speak to that but can say that the set screws used on accessories mounted on the quillgenerallyhave a flat tip.

[quote="historia"]Bought used SS in 1999]

Is it the arbor on the shaft that comes loose OR the blade on the arbor?

I have on rare occasion found my arbor loose on the shaft. When that happens, I remove and discard the set screw. A new set screw normally solves the problem.

With the arbor on the shaft and a set screw installed but very loose, if you pull the arbor off the end of the shaft do you hear a sorta pop. You should. That is the sound of a partial vacuum (within the arbor) being broken. If you do not hear that sucking pop - I am inclined to believe that you have used emery cloth on the running shaft to clean it and the shaft is now a wee bit under sized.

I have experienced movement of arbors, etc on the shaft. I find that I'm usually the culprit (Not tightening the set screw sufficiently on the quill). In one instance blue loctite solved the problem until a new set screw could be ordered.

Makes sure that you did in fact tighten the set screw. Fortunately the taper on the spindle saved me from total disaster.

Historia;
Hi and welcome.
The set screw used in the saw blade arbors is different than normal set screws. You should NOT use a set screw that has a cupped point. The set screw for the saw arbor has a flat rather than a cupped point. The reason is that a cupped point will displace metal and raise burrs that can cause arbors to possibly bind on the shaft if the screw loosens enough spin on the quill shaft. Set screws can be made to stay put for a time by putting some silicon caulk on the threads letting it set up and reinserting the screw. Not a permanent solution but works in the short run.
Bill V

Have now read several postings; they are much appreciated. Did not start checking used 1991 SS purchased in 1999 until 2011. Sure didn't know what I know now when it was demonstrated over a period of 5 minutes in '99.
[1)have used several lengths of setscrews purchased in maintenance kit from SS in 2001. Noted they have different tips and 4 had a red coating with a spiral like tip; did not use those as they supposedly are coated with a Loctite that would make them difficult to remove.
2)the blue loctite will be used in the future on setcrews;
3)have never heard the "pop" or sound of a partial vacuum being broken when an arbor is being removed;previous owner may have done things like treating the spindle to an emery cloth massage, something I would never do until I checked with SS;
4)spindle is free from burrs, nicks, or signs of alteration;
5)the SS 5/8th arbor with that flat tip setscrew was on the SS when it was purchased used in '99; when the alignment/measurement exercise was initiated in April, 2011, I first picked up on problem with arbor coming loose.

Have decided to ship the headstock to SS. Will keep everyone informed about how this mystery might be solved at SS.

[quote="historia"]Have now read several postings]

Check the silver collar first!

The previous post makes more sense ifthis is read first. I did not realize you had two threads going!

Check the other thread