Miter set screw stuck

[jmoore65]

I've managed to get the miter guage set screw stuck. I must have overtightened it - I heard a loud 'click' when I set it. I thought it strange at the time, because it didn't feel like I was turning very hard.

I cannot back the screw out at all. The allen wrench will not turn.

Help!

Jim

[dusty]

I can't be of much help. I had the same thing happen to me. I did things that I won't repeat here to get the miter gauge off the table. Once off the table, I was successful in drilling the set screw out of the hole in the miter bar.

I don't believe I damaged the threads but I haven't put a new set screw in that miter bar yet. Fortunately, I have another miter gauge that I can secure in the miter track if need be.

Take comfort in the fact that you and I are not the only ones that this has happened to. There are reports that this has happened to even the best of us.

What ever you do, don't try to unscrew it using a worn allen wrench. Get a new one and make sure it is set well into the allen screw before you put any force to it. Once it strips out the lands in the allen screw you'll find yourself drilling.:eek:

[judaspre1982]

Did you try using an L-shaped allen wrench to get more leverage when backing out the set screw? If not try that and see if you can get it to move. -------Dave

[jmoore65]

Did you try using an L-shaped allen wrench to get more leverage when backing out the set screw? If not try that and see if you can get it to move. -------Dave

I tried this - but the allen wrench slipped in the socket - while the screw didn't move at all. I even saw sparks around the socket when the wrench slipped!

Now what?

Jim

[judaspre1982]

I assume we are talking about the set screw in the miter gauge bar that has slots on both sides of the set srew. What I would try is find something that is about the size of the slots---thin blade screw drivers,metal putty knives, what ever you can find. Use these to try and pry and separate the area around the set screw to relieve some of the pressure on the set screw. If you can wedge one of these items on both sides of the srew, and the set screw is not too badly stripped you may get lucky and get it to back out for you. The key is to not do more damage to the miter bar or table than it would be worth. I would try this first and if you are not sucessful you may have to try an easy out tool if the set screw is too damaged. I just wonder what the click was and what is keeping the screw so locked in. Also try some penatrating oil to help lube the threads------ Dave

[albie]

I suspect the loud click was the hex tool slipping in the set screw. If the tool is worn, it may slip in the screw.

I will often grind off the worn end of an allen key, making it slightly shorter and behave like a new tool.

The set screw may be fine.

Al B

[Nick]

Dusty's right -- this is a problem that many Shopsmith owners have had to deal with from time to time. The last time this happened here at the Academy, Drew took my Dremel tool and a small, ceramic cut-off wheel and was able to cut the allen screw in two without damaging the bar or the table. We lost the ceramic wheel; when the allen screw was cut all the way in half, it collapsed and pinched the wheel. But we were able to get the Shopsmith back in working condition inexpensively and without much fuss. And -- wonder of wonders -- Drew didn't lose his religion. That day.

The only other effective solution I have ever employed is to use a screw extractor to back out the allen screw. But this requires that you drill a hole in the table, through the miter gauge slot and right under the screw. Otherwise the extractor will not drop down far enough to engage the screw.

With all good wishes,

[drl]

I have not come across the problem--yet, but have found that the setscrew seems to get tighter than originally set. Is there a way to prevent this? Dry lube, wax, whatever on the setscrew? Setscrew needs to be tighten quite a bit so the miter gauge won't slide.
Nicks/Drews fix seems the best solution especially if the set screw is rounded out. Sorry I don't have a answer. Looking for prevention at this point. Good luck.
Regards,
Dwight