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Why do I need a 10 position Quick-Index Quill Feed?

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edma194 Platinum Member Posts: 2024 Joined: Fri Jun 19, 2020 4:08 pm

Why do I need a 10 position Quick-Index Quill Feed?

Post by edma194 » Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:46 am

On my list of small projects is a 3 arm quill feed. I have all the material, it's just a drilling and tapping job.

Then I notice that Shopsmith offers a 10 position quill feed adapter that has one arm. And after that I notice on YouTube someone making a quick release quill adapter.

I do know why I want a 3 arm quill feed. It puts 2 more handles at different positions that may be more convenient to grab or to hold. For a full turn that needs a hand switch it's also better to have more than one handle available. It's also kind of cool looking. Simple, basic, understandable reasons to do it.

But why do I need 10 positions or a quick-release? I got a piece of 1 1/2" hex stock for making the hub on Amazon for an incredibly low price. I planned to make this for 3 arms, seemed to be plenty to me. I guess I could go ahead and drill all 6 sides to make more positions available but I don't see it providing much of an advantage, and looks-wise 6 arms is getting kind of busy. Could 10 positions be that much better? And it's still just one arm.

And what does quick release do for me? Couldn't I just let go if I was in that much of a hurry?

Ed from Rhode Island

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algale Platinum Member Posts: 4804 Joined: Thu Nov 04, 2010 8:13 am

Re: Why do I need a 10 position Quick-Index Quill Feed?

Post by algale » Wed Jan 20, 2021 10:59 am

I have the Shopsmith 10 position quick release and opted to get the spare hub so there's a hub on both sides of the head stock. With two hubs you can quick release and move the handle not only between positions but between sides. 10 positions is handy because you never need to remove it entirely. If it is in the way, just move it to one of the other 10 positions. With three arms, I think you need to remove it unless you are drilling. I like mine a lot but can see the advantages of a three arms if doing a lot of drilling.

Gale's Law: The bigger the woodworking project, the less the mistakes show in any photo taken far enough away to show the entire project!

bainin Platinum Member Posts: 544 Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2019 11:09 pm Location: NC

Re: Why do I need a 10 position Quick-Index Quill Feed?

Post by bainin » Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:05 pm

Like Algale-I upgraded to the 10 position magnetic with 2 hubs from the standard single lever.

It doesn't add any torque compared to the standard lever, its roughly the same length, but it is great during setup to have 10 positions available to put the lever in just the right "up" position that you are comfortable with using just a 1 handed movement on the lever/magnet.

chapmanruss Platinum Member Posts: 3677 Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:16 pm Location: near Portland, Oregon

Re: Why do I need a 10 position Quick-Index Quill Feed?

Post by chapmanruss » Wed Jan 20, 2021 12:54 pm

I don't have the 10-Position Quick-Index Quill Feed Handle but am seriously considering it especially since it is on sale. Currently I have the original Quill feed handles on all my Shopsmiths. Generally I keep the handle down out of the way and move it into a better position when using it for drilling. etc. I can see that with the 10-Position Quick-Index Quill Feed Handle that position change would be easier and have more spots to locate it. Currently, with the original handle, I have only three positions to place it at 120 degrees apart. With 10 positions they would be only 36 degrees apart. I don't think I would like having a 3 Lever Drill Press Quill Handle since one handle would always be near up and in the way for functions using the table on the Shopsmith. To get a 3 lever handle out of the way I would have to remove it and that would make it harder to "fine tune" cut widths on the table saw using the Quill.

Ed, your last statement

And what does quick release do for me? Couldn't I just let go if I was in that much of a hurry?

has me wondering if you understand how it works.

Ed, the Quick Release is the Handle coming off the Hub to change positions as shown in the catalog.

Update: I just ordered it.

Last edited by chapmanruss on Wed Jan 20, 2021 1:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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