Shopsmith motor problems

[edski]

I'm looking at purchasing a used 510. It has one significant problem, the motor hums and does not rotate when turned on.
I saw somewhere on the forum pictures of a used motor and the name of the manufacturer of the motor but haven't been able to find it again. Can anyone help me with this?
Also, any thoughts on a solution to the problem and what it might cost to fix it? The 510 looks to be in good condition (have only seen pictures of it) and is a good deal if the motor fix is fairly inexpensive.

Thanks,

edski

[chiroindixon]

I had the same experience with a '54 Magna I rescued. Upon the suggestion of a machinist neighbor, we took a sanding disc, then with a glove on, coaxed the motor into action. It spun fine.....until the 50+ year old belts blew up.

With the help of the SS folks, a good cleaning, lube, new power cord, and belt changes, the old boy is running fine now...Motor itself was just fine...Good luck....

Doc

[rkh2]

edski

A possible reason as to why the motor only hums when the machine is turned on is the possibility of the belt being broken and jammed in the pully. I was cutting plywood once when my belt did that to me. At first I thought I was binding the material but removed it and the motor did the same thing. I removed the cover on the headstock and that's when I discovered the worn out belt. The attached link is one of the sawdust sessions that describes how to change belts. Don't know if this is the problem or not, but you could have the person who owns this machine check this out. Also, there is the possibility of the head stock being full of sawdust to the point that nothing can move mechanically anymore.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Belts.htm

[Ed in Tampa]

I'm looking at purchasing a used 510. It has one significant problem, the motor hums and does not rotate when turned on.
I saw somewhere on the forum pictures of a used motor and the name of the manufacturer of the motor but haven't been able to find it again. Can anyone help me with this?
Also, any thoughts on a solution to the problem and what it might cost to fix it? The 510 looks to be in good condition (have only seen pictures of it) and is a good deal if the motor fix is fairly inexpensive.

Thanks,

edski

Edski
A number of things could be wrong.
First remove the drive belt and see if the motor runs. I have heard of more than one Shopsmith that wouldn't run because someone had jammed the drive belt in the drive sheaves.

If the motor does not run, lower it and pull off the end housing and check the centrifugal start winding contact. If if fails to close because of saw dust or crud the motor will not start. Blowing out the dust may solve the problem without even opening the motor.

If that all fails your motor is probably shot. Either have it rebuilt, buy a new one from Shopsmith or check Ebay there is usually more than one Shopsmith motor for sale there.

Frankly because I'm a scaredy cat I would buy a new motor from Shopsmith or have mine rebuilt before I bought anything from Ebay.
Ed

[billmayo]

I have not found a bad motor in 6 years of repairing Shopsmith headstocks. I just brought a 520 with a bad motor (ad says) for $200. What happen was the drive belt got stuck to the idle and control sheaves as the shopsmith has been setting for some time. You will need a new belt and clean the sheaves. Someone may have turned the speed control toward slow without the motor operating as this will jam the belt. Within reason, try turning the speed control to fast and rotate the quill shaft (12" disk sander on the quill shaft). This action has freed quite a few customers headstocks that would not operate, hums, trips the breaker or had to be helped to start. I did found two motors where the start windings points needed cleaning/filing. If you smell a bad odor/stink from the headstock, then the motor is bad and will need replacing. Be sure to smell all around the headstock before buying and if you do smell something stinky, just get the seller to reduce his price to allow for a replacement motor. You can find 1 1/8 HP motors on Ebay for sale ($100-$200 range) if that is the case. Best of Luck.

Bill Mayo

I'm looking at purchasing a used 510. It has one significant problem, the motor hums and does not rotate when turned on.
I saw somewhere on the forum pictures of a used motor and the name of the manufacturer of the motor but haven't been able to find it again. Can anyone help me with this?
Also, any thoughts on a solution to the problem and what it might cost to fix it? The 510 looks to be in good condition (have only seen pictures of it) and is a good deal if the motor fix is fairly inexpensive.

Thanks,

edski

[edski]

Thanks for the info guys. I talked to the seller and he informed me that he took the motor out and the shaft turned without a problem. Maybe there's dust in the motor. I'll check that out when I pick it up. It's still a good buy even with the cost of a new motor.

Thanks,

edski