Shopsmith Forums

Hello All,

My father recently gave me his ShopSmith Mark V with a Power Station and two Craftsmen tool chests filled with accessories. He is suffering from dementia and can't remember how to use a lot of the parts. I am learning how to use if by trial and error but have reached a point that I'm afraid I'm going to break something. I decided to try out the Power Station this weekend with the Scroll saw because my wife wants me to make some wooden birds for the baby room. I followed the directions in the manual (WOW) and got it going. While it did work, it didn't seem to be working correctly. I can't adjust the speed and it seemed to get bogged down while cutting. I took a picture of the setup and am hoping that someone can give me some advise on the setup and the speed issue. If anyone knows of training in the Colorado area, PLEASE let me know! Thank you all for your time.

coloradosheepdog wrote:Hello All,

My father recently gave me his ShopSmith Mark V with a Power Station and two Craftsmen tool chests filled with accessories. He is suffering from dementia and can't remember how to use a lot of the parts. I am learning how to use if by trial and error but have reached a point that I'm afraid I'm going to break something. I decided to try out the Power Station this weekend with the Scroll saw because my wife wants me to make some wooden birds for the baby room. I followed the directions in the manual (WOW) and got it going. While it did work, it didn't seem to be working correctly. I can't adjust the speed and it seemed to get bogged down while cutting. I took a picture of the setup and am hoping that someone can give me some advise on the setup and the speed issue. If anyone knows of training in the Colorado area, PLEASE let me know! Thank you all for your time.

Look for a white tube shaped object about 5" long with larger diameter ends that slip over the hubs on the power station and scroll saw shafts.

Looks like this - [ATTACH]14381[/ATTACH]

JPG40504 wrote:Looks like this - [ATTACH]14381[/ATTACH]

GREAT! Found it, do I need to grease it up before using it? Also, any ideas on the speed handle not moving?

Thank you so much for the reply!

You really should get yourself a copy of the book, "Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone" by R.J. DeCristoforo. It explains how to use the Shopsmith and accessories. There's an online version at the Shopsmith web site -- http://www.shopsmith.com/academy/introduction.htm -- or you can buy a hard copy from Shopsmith. And, there are a series of videos available as well -- http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Sawdust_Sessions.htm .

Be safe, buy the book and watch the videos related to what you want to do before using the tools.

coloradosheepdog wrote:GREAT! Found it, do I need to grease it up before using it? Also, any ideas on the speed handle not moving?

Thank you so much for the reply!

Uh, you should never move the speed handle when the Mark V and/or powerstation is off. Its a sure fire way to mess stuff up. No need to grease the coupler, it just slips over each of the hubs (its labeled and can only fit one way).

damagi wrote:Uh, you should never move the speed handle when the Mark V and/or powerstation is off. Its a sure fire way to mess stuff up. No need to grease the coupler, it just slips over each of the hubs (its labeled and can only fit one way).

Thanks for the advise, but it won't adjust when the machine is on or off. I will have to order the book and learn how to do all of the great things that this does!

coloradosheepdog wrote:Thanks for the advise, but it won't adjust when the machine is on or off. I will have to order the book and learn how to do all of the great things that this does!

The warning not to change the speed dial is applicable to the Mark V as well as the Power Station. The difference is that you can do a lot more damage to the Mark V than you can to the Power Station.

I suggest that you pull the cover off the end of the Power Station and with it running turn the speed dial up and down while watching the pulleys. This will show you immediately why you can not change the speed dial unless the shafts are turning.

The pulleys move in and out as the ratio changes. Unless the pulleys are turning, they will not move in and out.

The Mark V speed control mechanism operates with great similarity.

The book (PTWFE) that you are talking about is great but it tells you how to use your Shopsmith tools and does very little for telling you how to maintain them.

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coloradosheepdog wrote:Hello All,
If anyone knows of training in the Colorado area, PLEASE let me know! Thank you all for your time.

Where in Colorado area are you located? We do have some Shopsmith users in the area and I suspect we would be available to offer some assistance. Fjimp