power pro GURU's

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onevw
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power pro GURU's

Post by onevw »

I just finished installing my Power Pro upgrade. And another WOW for Shopsmith.

So my question is how long can this system run at 10K and how hot will the belts get with average loading.

I must say this thing is very smooth and quit compared to my 3450 rpm portable Pro Craftsman table saw.

Also can the bearings take this 10K rpm for extended time etc.

RICK
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nuhobby
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Post by nuhobby »

I'll pass on a few things I've heard and some I observed myself.

- Original publicity series for the Power Pro release gave an account of about 1 mile of hardwood they ran through the surface-planer to test endurance at high rpm's.

- Member charlese probably has the most accumulated run-time @ 10k rpm. He'll probably chime in before long. His unit still runs fine, perhaps with noisier bearings though.

- I only occasionally run higher than 8,000 rpm or so, like when I'm cutting mortises. (I do have a separate Overarm Router jig for many of my routing tasks.)

- Some posts on this forum indicated the Poly V belts historically have their ridges for thermal dissipation; they are designed to run tight and fast.
Chris
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dusty
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Post by dusty »

Given that higher operating rpm (10,000) is one of the main selling factors of the PowerPro, I think that it is reasonable to assume the Shopsmith has done extensive testing at high RPM.

If you have any doubts, call Customer Service and ask the question directly of them. If I was concerned, I would attempt to have that discussion with Shopsmith Engineering (Jim McCann).
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
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onevw
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Just for the heck of it

Post by onevw »

I am not concerned about it at all. I am sure this thing is designed to take almost anything I could dish out.

Because I am am a research engineer I wish to know what could happen, and make test and graphs and then more tests. etc, ect, etc.

Maybe I set up a test and load this thing up and put sensors everywhere and just see what results I get. Boy what a great wast of time.
RICK
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dusty
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Post by dusty »

onevw wrote:I am not concerned about it at all. I am sure this thing is designed to take almost anything I could dish out.

Because I am am a research engineer I wish to know what could happen, and make test and graphs and then more tests. etc, ect, etc.

Maybe I set up a test and load this thing up and put sensors everywhere and just see what results I get. Boy what a great wast of time.
RICK
I disagree. Testing is never a waste of time. In fact, I spend as much time "testing" as I do making saw dust.

I spent most of the later years of my work experience as a Qualification Test Engineer. It was my job to test, test and test until I reached that threshold where the item failed to meet performance specifications. It was a blast.

I'd love to put the Mark 7 through those paces but no one has asked that I do that so it would be on my nickel.:eek: Therefore, it will never happen on my watch.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
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drl
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Post by drl »

One test is worth a thousand expert opinions.
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dusty
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Post by dusty »

drl wrote:One test is worth a thousand expert opinions.

One well documented and thoroughly evaluated test is worth a thousand expert opinions.
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Dusty
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JPG
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Post by JPG »

dusty wrote:One well documented and thoroughly evaluated test is worth a thousand expert opinions.
I would add duplicated results to that!(part of the evaluation] information within that message).
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
charlese
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Post by charlese »

I wouldn't take very seriously, comments from guys that don't won PowerPros.

In my experience, which has been 2 years and a month, I have twice sent my PowerPro back to Shopsmith for repair. I now believe that each PowerPro headstock in in itself a unique creation. The first repair replaced every internal working part, The second repair replaced the motor and power supply. Shopsmith is still testing this unit before sending it back.

In this time I have had no issues with bearings. The bearings in the PowerPro because of selection, may be better than other bearings used in the past. Yes, the upper bearing nearest the upper belt will heat up quite hot when running at 10,000 RPM. Actually I have found no need to run at that speed for any extended length of time. Mortising with a router bit does not take a long time. Shaping does not require that speed.

The issues with my unit(s) have been power supply and/or computer settings. Lately I found an eccentric motor pulley. Probably due to an off centered shaft hole. This is the second unit I know of having this identical problem. ---There is a limited amount of electronic repair that can be made to offset mechanical issues.

In summary - The PowerPro is a great headstock!!!! I Love it!!! Even with all of it's quirks. Don't be afraid to run the dickens out of it!! The Shopsmith warranty is excellent. 2 years on bearings and 5 years on motor and electronics.

Doing a bunch of measurements will only apply to that one headstock. I doubt they will be applicable to other units. Some PowerPro units have run without fault for a couple of years. I have no idea how many have been sent in for repair, but there must have been a few+. They have now, thru experience, perfected a packaging system, complete with instructions for returning a unit.
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Chuck in Lancaster, CA
charlese
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Post by charlese »

onevw wrote:I am not concerned about it at all. I am sure this thing is designed to take almost anything I could dish out.

Because I am am a research engineer I wish to know what could happen, and make test and graphs and then more tests. etc, ect, etc.

Maybe I set up a test and load this thing up and put sensors everywhere and just see what results I get. Boy what a great wast of time.
RICK

Yeah, but if you take apart the power control module an check the Hall effect sensor, or PFC coil, you will lose your warranty. Electronic parts cannot be taken apart by anyone but the factory. You can do all the testing you want on bearings and other mechanical parts, especially testing the effects of belt tightness and tightening all appropriate set screws. Even if you mess with the control module, you can void your warranty. Good luck with your testing!
Octogenarian's have an earned right to be a curmudgeon.
Chuck in Lancaster, CA
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