Shopsmith Forums

dgale wrote:I've noticed those items on E-Bay - seems like they are marketing them as a means of "snazzing" up the SS. They do claim they've perfectly matched the sizes and I'll take their word on that, but I'm not sure stainless steel is the first thing I'd chose for set screws. I use stainless deck screws all the time for exterior applications for my house (i.e. hanging exterior siding) as they don't rust and hence in the long term reduce maintenance. But that being said, stainless screws are much softer than regular coated steel deck screws

No notice of how hard the stainless is. As you have seem with some deck screws they can be "soft" but they range depending on several factors like the type of stainless used. I'm more worried that they will will be too hard.

Same can said about "other" setscrews that you find at a hardware store, they give no data so it is your choice to use them or not. Since there are places on the shopsmith that you do not want to damage, things like the quill you don't want to user harder material for the setscrew, they could damage things.

- I buy the star-head type which virtually never slip on the drill bit, so not an issue. But for allen head set screws, for a device presumably stored in a suitable indoor environment, I fail to see the need for the rust proof properties, particularly as a trade-off for a softer metal that may have the head strip out in the future and cause a hassle. I also don't feel the need for stainless steel "bling" on my SS - the original steel set screws are all functioning perfectly after 34 years in my machine. Like everything on the SS, an occasional removal and lubing will maintain performance and minimize rust issues just fine.

I also noticed this vendor has started selling screw sets for the MarkV legs and casters - again, making the claim that the original screws are dated looking and this will add pizzazz to your machine. It looks to me like they are selling oval head stainless screws with nylon-lock nuts that should be available at any well-stocked hardware store. Again, I don't see the need for stainless in this case but will be curious what the price for these is at my local hardware store when I"m there next...of course without the shipping.

JPG40504 wrote:The older Mark 5's had oval head screws and the casting holes are counter sunk to accept them.

My concern would be what type ends are on them? Are they the proper length?

IMHO a solution in search of a problem.

billmayo wrote:Repeated qestion type sessions with Shopsmith engineers in the 2002-2005 time period when I was learning supplied me with many reasons why Shopsmith did certain things and used certain parts. I was told that the Shopsmith set screws were a milder grade of steel than the set screws at the big box stores...

This is pretty much what I understood about the set screws.

I was able to get the proper grade rating for each of these screws and nuts and was able to perfect matches for the Shopsmith

Is there any chance you still have the specs for the set screws?

I went to using stainless steel screws for and part artachment and hold the motor pan and belt housing on the heastock along withholding the motor to the motor pan.about 8 years ago. Many set screws are only set one time so need to be tight

There are many different lengths of Shopsmith set screws. I have a drawer full of different length set screws from collect the at various sales in Florida

There was a ton of Posts on this tiopic r

reible wrote: I've been wonder if anyone has purchase either these or the other sets offered by the seller?
Ed

lightnin wrote:
I just put them in a Tic-Tac box for spares.