PowerPro Woes...

[jsburger]

UPDATE!

Returned Jim McCann's call this morning. He seems to be the master Headstock engineer. Great guy, very concerned about customer satisfaction, gave me a wonderful education on how that part of the headstock works and the changes from the old to the new set up. New bearings, etc. due to much higher speeds than the old SS. (BTW, he also gave me his personal cell phone # to call him, now that's customer service!)

He had notes on my headstock and indeed the quill was not within specs for concentricity and that was corrected along with making sure everything else was back to spec. When it left his shop, it was smooth, quiet and the quill retracted on it's own all the way. So the guess is Fedex dropped it along the way somewhere and knocked some things out of alignment. I did a test at his request and if you extend the quill and lock it in place, the vibe and noise goes away thus indicating something moved during shipping.

As for just getting a replacement head, that's good news for all of us, so-so news for me. They are swamped with orders right now and truly do not have any spares! That's good news because it means good biz for SS so we can all continue to enjoy our SS. So-so news for me as I will have to ship it back but Jim has committed to working on it ASAP and sending it back. So in the long run, very good news for me too as Jim is certain he can get this cleared up.

So, Jim is shipping me a return box, back it will go and I'll wait to see how it returns. All in all, this is the best solution available. Stand by for more updates when I get it back!

I have been thinking this all along. I don't think one should run an old quill in a power pro because I have always suspected the bearings were different due to the speed requirement. I guess a check of the part numbers would tell.

[dusty]

I don't share your concern about the bearings unless you are talking about running the headstock fullbore. The old bearings have been working at the OLD top end for many years. Just don't load them at 10,000rpm (anything above 7200).

What bearings are being used in the PowerPro Quill.

[reible]

The old quill was part number 514071, the new number is 518210. If you search on the old number it comes up but it takes you to the new part. This makes since because there is no reason to have two versions in stock. So if you get a new quill it will be the new quill.

There may be just a bearing upgrade or it could be the tolerances and fits have also changed. If you simple assume that new bearings will upgrade your quill, well it might or it might not.

This is not new news, we have talked about it before and unless someone from shopsmith decides to tell us we are not going to know if it is as simple as a bearing upgrade.

Ed

[Bruce]

Having trouble lifting the PowerPro down or up to the way tubes was a problem for me. Also fitting the headstock into the padded box for shipping.

I made a simple cradle sling - It helped immensely!!! No need to lift on the spindle/

PowerPro Sling.jpg

This grip isn't so much the issue although I do like that sling. After back surgery, I just can't lift 80lbs safely any more. I've achieved old fart status!

Wasn't sure if it was safe to extend quill and lift on it but that's a great idea too!

Thanks!

If FedEx dropping the shipping box can mess up the quill alignment, do you really want to take a chance by lifting the headstock with the quill? Not me.

[JPG]

He be the powers that be that I referred to earlier!

[moiramph]

With the implementation of the Powerpro, we did change to high speed bearings on both the quill and the drive sleeve. With this change the "lubricant" in the bearings was upgraded for higher speeds. The bearings for the bandsaw were also upgraded at that time.

[algale]

With the implementation of the Powerpro, we did change to high speed bearings on both the quill and the drive sleeve. With this change the "lubricant" in the bearings was upgraded for higher speeds. The bearings for the bandsaw were also upgraded at that time.

That's quite interesting about the band saw. When/if one orders replacement bearings for the band saw, are the part numbers the same or have they changed?

[moiramph]

It was implemented as a running change in 2011, so the part numbers have stayed the same.

[jsburger]

I don't share your concern about the bearings unless you are talking about running the headstock fullbore. The old bearings have been working at the OLD top end for many years. Just don't load them at 10,000rpm (anything above 7200).

What bearings are being used in the PowerPro Quill.

Huh

If I put an old quill in a Power Pro head stock and can't/shouldn't run it at "full bore" what is the point of a Power Pro? Yes there other advantages but com'on man. 7200 RPM I thought the standard SS was 5200 RPM (5700?), half the Power Pro. Why do you think the DIY kit comes with a new quill? As had been said the part numbers have changed, sooo...

[jsburger]

With the implementation of the Powerpro, we did change to high speed bearings on both the quill and the drive sleeve. With this change the "lubricant" in the bearings was upgraded for higher speeds. The bearings for the bandsaw were also upgraded at that time.

Dusty, do you want to run an old quill in your Power Pro? I certainly don't and won't.