When Shopsmith is turned on, it speeds up until it trips out

rayjen · Post by **rayjen** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 12:47 pm

I have a friend that has asked me to look at his Shopsmith, I have two of my own from 1957 so I have rebuilt them.

His problem was that when he turned it on it would trip out. So he found that it was packed full of dust. While the headstock was off the unit he blew it out and then ran it. It ran fine, so he put it back together. Now when he starts it it ramps up in speed then kicks out. Has anyone had any similar problems like this?
I am thinking that he needs to lube it and look at the speed control. Am I missing anything he should check?

Thanks
Ray
CR Iowa

chipmaster · Post by **chipmaster** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 3:31 pm

I know that when I reassembled mine after replacing the speed control mechanism, I tried leaving out the spring between the knob and the index wheel because someone somewhere had suggested it. I found that the speed wanted to creep up on its own in that configuration. I reinstalled the spring, and it now behaves as it should. Perhaps your friend accidentally left out the spring?

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 4:58 pm

rayjen wrote:I have a friend that has asked me to look at his Shopsmith, I have two of my own from 1957 so I have rebuilt them.

His problem was that when he turned it on it would trip out. So he found that it was packed full of dust. While the headstock was off the unit he blew it out and then ran it. It ran fine, so he put it back together. Now when he starts it it ramps up in speed then kicks out. Has anyone had any similar problems like this?
I am thinking that he needs to lube it and look at the speed control. Am I missing anything he should check?

Thanks
Ray
CR Iowa

Model ? 3/4 hp or 1 1/8 hp?

Did you blow the sawdust out of the motor(highly recommended!!!)?

Are you starting from slow?

Do tell us about the power supply(circuit capacity, and 'other' things running off it, extension cords. . .).

If it was 'full of sawdust', there is no doubt in my mind that at a minimum lubrication is needed. Preferably a disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, reassembly, lubrication next.

Do not overlook the motor floating sheave!!!

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 5:41 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Model ? 3/4 hp or 1 1/8 hp?

Did you blow the sawdust out of the motor(highly recommended!!!)?

Are you starting from slow?

Do tell us about the power supply(circuit capacity, and 'other' things running off it, extension cords. . .).

If it was 'full of sawdust', there is no doubt in my mind that at a minimum lubrication is needed. Preferably a disassembly, cleaning, lubrication, reassembly, lubrication next.

Do not overlook the motor floating sheave!!!

I would make sure the centrifugal switch is working.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Dec 21, 2011 6:24 pm

dusty wrote:I would make sure the centrifugal switch is working.

We have not yet determined if he has a start switch or a start relay.

rayjen · Post by **rayjen** » Thu Dec 22, 2011 1:25 pm

I was able to go look at it today. I found two things, he was starting on a high speed, and hadn't lubed up the sheaves. Before I left we went through the speeds and started it a few times. All is good now.

Thanks for the input.
Ray