Maintenance Schedule

Lodgepole · Post by **Lodgepole** » Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:50 pm

Attached is chart I have worked up for my Shopsmith & SPTs. I use this to help me track when I need to complete the annual and quarterly maintenance.

I am curious how other Shopsmith users track when to maintain their equipment? I am always looking for a better way to make sure I follow through with this maintenance.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

eartigas · Post by **eartigas** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 3:10 pm

This is excellent. In fact you've already answer some of my questions regarding my just acquired scroll saw. I did not find the Strip Sander (1'X42") and actually I wonder what maintenance it would require.
Ed

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 3:19 pm

I did not review your documents for accuracy but the chart is excellent. However, it is useless unless you comply with it.

I don't have a chart but I maintain my equipment very well. I probably over maintain. Any time I go to use any of it, if I do not recall using it recently, I lub it. I try to clean it whenever I finish using it for a project.

Now I suppose I am a lot different than many members of this forum because I am in the shop almost every day. I am retired and I spend all of MY TIME in the shop.

My wife determines how much of my day is MY TIME.

Good job on your chart. Use it to schedule your maintenance and you'll never regret the time spent.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 3:42 pm

Sorry but i have a PROBLEM with you chart. The waxing and oiling should be based more on TIME USED and knot calendar time. Like Dusty, I clean it as I go along. Wax it when I feel it needs it and oil it when I feel that it's been used about 10 hours.

Lodgepole · Post by **Lodgepole** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:39 pm

I don't have a strip sander, so that's why I have not done the research to include the strip sander specific information on this chart. Maybe one of these days, I may acquire a strip sander. and then include the information in the chart!

Because I use the various SPTs at infrequent intervals and for infrequent durations, I have a hard time estimating the amount of time they are used. I feel comfortable, forcing myself to make sure I look at the condition of each SPT every 3 months. But, again, this is only personal preference.

Thanks to all who have taken a look at this chart. And, again, I appreciate any suggestions or ideas coming from this group!

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:51 pm

Lodgepole wrote:I don't have a strip sander, so that's why I have not done the research to include the strip sander specific information on this chart. Maybe one of these days, I may acquire a strip sander. and then include the information in the chart!

Because I use the various SPTs at infrequent intervals and for infrequent durations, I have a hard time estimating the amount of time they are used. I feel comfortable, forcing myself to make sure I look at the condition of each SPT every 3 months. But, again, this is only personal preference.

Thanks to all who have taken a look at this chart. And, again, I appreciate any suggestions or ideas coming from this group!

I am not good at maintaining or complying with schedules. Instead, I just vow to over maintain. A little too much oil now and thennever hurts.

dforeman · Post by **dforeman** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:54 pm

Not a bad idea to have some kind of calender to go by. I kind of go by the same thinking as Dusty. When I'm using the Shopsmith, I have the paste wax and cleaning rags right there as I'm working. I also usually have the dust collector hose right there anyway, so I periodically just run that around to collect up the saw dust. However, when I'm in the shop I'm not always using the Shopsmith. I just do this when I'm using the Shopsmith. Now the oiling procedures, I try to do that several times a year. But, I really don't have a set schedule.

Hummmm. I do keep log books for all my vehicles and equipment though. That way I can keep track of usage (hours/miles of operation). That might not be a bad idea for the Shopsmith as well. At least for the oiling procedures.

berry · Post by **berry** » Tue Jan 08, 2013 5:49 pm

Very nice chart.

I'm afraid I don't do maintenance as prescribed. In fact I try not to do it at all. I'm much rather be working on a project, planning my next project, trying a new technique, milling some rough stock so it's available when I need it, eat, drink a beer anything but maintenance. That said, when it gets hard to move the head stock around (two hands to move it to change blades) I usually break down and spend some time on it. I'd say I do some maintenance between once or twice a year? I don't advocate for poor maintenance but I'd rather be trying to make something instead of waxing.

mrhart · Post by **mrhart** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 10:32 am

I like your system. Everyone does things different, but even if you use that as a guide and fall short, you're still going to have better maintained tools and equipment than most folks and you'll have less service related issues than those who don't track or perform routine maintenance. Nice job.

My dream would be to have the "shop monkey" clean and maintain the whole shop every night. I just wanna make stuff, the monkey could clean it up....and sand, yes the monkey could sand.

Lodgepole · Post by **Lodgepole** » Wed Jan 09, 2013 2:27 pm

Maybe a shop monkey should be what we all are working to invent!