Just a little tech tip, the one thing I absolutely dislike about my Shopsmith bandsaw, is later on in their infinite wisdom, they decided to remove the convenient band saw access door knobs with allen screws. So when you need to get in and change a blade, you have to break out the allen wrench and unloosen three screws, a tad time consuming, not horribly, but why?

So I was goofing around a couple days ago and just happened to look at the table saw fence knobs, and a rare flash of light materialized in my lil ol pea brain, and I thought to self, hey self, those fence knobs sure look like they'd replace those allen screws on the bandsaw very nicely. Because one of the cool things about the Shopsmith, is everything seems to fit everywhere else, in many regards, so why not these knobs?

 

Allen screws for access door, gotta be taken out to access for cleaning, adjustments and blade changes. Not a deal breaker, but why not knobs?

 

These allen screws go into the band saw access door.

 

These knobs are the ones on the tables saw fence to hold the extension tubes in place

 

And now those knobs above, are in the bandsaw access cover below

 

So now that I know they fit, I am purchasing additional knobs from Shopsmith for my bandsaw.

Just in case any owners out there are dealing with the same frustration, this is one solution of many I am sure.

...John, check the small parts drawers at Ace, True Value, Lowes, etc. You might find them a lot cheaper. 

Just now, Larry Buskirk said:

...John, check the small parts drawers at Ace, True Value, Lowes, etc. You might find them a lot cheaper. 

You're the third one that said that Larry, thanks. I was given that advice by some owners on Facebook. But they all said, though replacements are available at those locations, I'd have to change the receiving studs to make them work.

But, I can check in my local hardware stores as you suggested, they might have something slightly different that will actually fit.

 

But, not to be difficult here, I do like to support Shopsmith whenever I can, for smaller things like this. I want Shopsmith to stay live and relevant, and I'll support them when I can. Even if it means having to shell out an extra few bucks if I can at that time. If every single owner purchased from the secondary market, Shopsmith would go out of business, I believe a huge part of their business is providing replacement parts for their machines dating back to their beginning, another wonderful aspect of the company. They also stock parts for machines of way back, if they don't have them, they'll make them. I love that about them.

Thanks Larry, great advice!

Just found them at Shopsmith, not bad, $4.95 each.

Ref. 136 at parts list below.

 

MARK 7 / MARK V 520/510/505 Table Rail Knob with Stud — Shopsmith

SHOPSMITH.COM

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Service

 

The True Value by me has both the knobs that are nuts, and the ones that have the stud.

I have used the brass knurled nuts to replace missing ones on my old machines.

Just can't justify paying what some Ebay! sellers think what originals are worth.

I can get 1/4" x 20 TPI brass knurled nuts for less than $2.00 a piece.

I've seen Delta originals listed for $80.00 a set of 4 + shipping.

1 minute ago, Larry Buskirk said:

The True Value by me has both the knobs that are nuts, and the ones that have the stud.

Thanks Larry, I'll be in the area today or tomorrow, I'll have to drop and check it out, thanks!

8 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

I can get 1/4" x 20 TPI brass knurled nuts for less than $2.00 a piece.

Is that the thread size used on Shopsmith?  From the picture it looks like machine thread.

 

 

Just now, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Is that the thread size used on Shopsmith?  From the picture it looks like machine thread.

 

 

I'm not sure what size SS uses, but it's a common size used on many old Delta machines.

The True Value by me has several different sizes in both brass, and the Black Bakelite knobs.

Both SAE, and Metric.

11 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Black Bakelite knobs.

Yeah I have a stock of them but most are 1/4 x 20.  And of course they would use machine thread.    I am not beyond making my own, and painting them Dayglow Green and Orange so I can find them when I drop them.  

On 2/16/2020 at 8:34 AM, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Yeah I have a stock of them but most are 1/4 x 20.  And of course they would use machine thread.    I am not beyond making my own, and painting them Dayglow Green and Orange so I can find them when I drop them.  

..Do I need to get out that swimsuit again! 

3 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

..Do I need to get out that swimsuit again! 

3 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

If Juan tried that around here you'd think he was a "SMURF" after about 5 minutes.

Just got back from True Value, no luck. Almost but not quite! Ordering from Shopsmith.

Oh well it was worth a try.

52 minutes ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Oh well it was worth a try.

It was Larry, positive side, it got me out of the house!

I dunno John.  You have a lathe, some wood and some metal rod.  You can machine threads to match the machine screws and make some.   Maybe even bigger knobs, easier to handle.  Oh, and don't forget the Dayglow green / orange paint.  Maybe even glow in the dark.  

2 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

You have a lathe, some wood and some metal rod.  You can machine threads to match the machine screws and make some.

I could, really. But I really want to keep it stock.

3 minutes ago, John Morris said:

I could, really. But I really want to keep it stock.

Okay you can paint it black then.

John make the knobs and attach the old screws to machine in a ziplock baggie. I never buy knobs anymore always make them , but I do have a drawer full too.

12 hours ago, John Morris said:

I could, really. But I really want to keep it stock.

Stock!!! 

Where's the fun in that?  I don't think anything I have is "stock"