What to look for in a used power station?

[reluctant43]

I am going to look at a used power station tomorrow and would like some advice on what to look for to identify a good buy. Can't find out much about it from the SS site. My only plan is to turn it on and see if the speed changer works smoothly. Any other easy tests you can think of for a check it out visit? I do see some things here about noise and vibration so I guess I should see if this is excessive. Does anybody have a serial number list for these things so I can see how old it is, or is there some other good way to determine age? Thanks for a (quick) reply.....

[SDSSmith]

I am going to look at a used power station tomorrow and would like some advice on what to look for to identify a good buy. Can't find out much about it from the SS site. My only plan is to turn it on and see if the speed changer works smoothly. Any other easy tests you can think of for a check it out visit? I do see some things here about noise and vibration so I guess I should see if this is excessive. Does anybody have a serial number list for these things so I can see how old it is, or is there some other good way to determine age? Thanks for a (quick) reply.....

I believe that all Power station use a date code for their serial number so figuring age of the unit should be straight forward.

[reluctant43]

I believe that all Power station use a date code for their serial number so figuring age of the unit should be straight forward.

Thanks Rob...

[JPG]

. . . My only plan is to turn it on and see if the speed changer works smoothly. . . . I do see some things here about noise and vibration so I guess I should see if this is excessive. . . .

You may need to adjust your perception of 'smoothly'. The belts will take a set and that creates shaking, rattling, but no roll. The reeves drive is much simpler than a Mark V and contains additional 'slop' to the stiff belt issue.

The control lever moves a pulley up/down. That pulley has a center movable sheave. The pulley is mounted on a shaft that slides in a sloppy groove.

So do not expect real smooth.

Allow the belts to warm up slightly and things should 'smooth' out 'slightly'.

You will feel resistance to moving the control lever. It will tend to slow down on it's own so the lock knob must be tightened to complete setting the speed.

Be aware the motor does not have sealed ball bearings, so try to ascertain the motor bearing condition(not easy with all the rattling going on).

Run it at high speed for 5 minutes, check the motor temperature(comfortable to touch, but warm) and then check the speed control etc.

[reluctant43]

You may need to adjust your perception of 'smoothly'. The belts will take a set and that creates shaking, rattling, but no roll. The reeves drive is much simpler than a Mark V and contains additional 'slop' to the stiff belt issue.

The control lever moves a pulley up/down. That pulley has a center movable sheave. The pulley is mounted on a shaft that slides in a sloppy groove.

So do not expect real smooth.

Allow the belts to warm up slightly and things should 'smooth' out 'slightly'.

You will feel resistance to moving the control lever. It will tend to slow down on it's own so the lock knob must be tightened to complete setting the speed.

Be aware the motor does not have sealed ball bearings, so try to ascertain the motor bearing condition(not easy with all the rattling going on).

Run it at high speed for 5 minutes, check the motor temperature(comfortable to touch, but warm) and then check the speed control etc.

Thanks JPG - very helpful - I am off right now to look at the thing....

Bruce

[billmayo]

I find that a Shopsmith MINI (25 5/8"way tubes) has many advantages over the Power Station. Wider speed range and easier to mount SPTs are 2 quick ones. I find the older 3/4 HP headstocks have all the power you need. Contact me if more information is needed. Thanks.

[billmayo]

Thanks JPG - very helpful - I am off right now to look at the thing....

Bruce

Could you add your location to your profile. A Forum member may be located close to you for help.

[godavid2]

Hey bill, I've tried several times to add my location to my profile to no avail. The error message is in the area of woodworking. When I input woodworking it says invalid value. What gives??

[dusty]

Hey bill, I've tried several times to add my location to my profile to no avail. The error message is in the area of woodworking. When I input woodworking it says invalid value. What gives??

Put in something besides wood working.

[reible]

Hey bill, I've tried several times to add my location to my profile to no avail. The error message is in the area of woodworking. When I input woodworking it says invalid value. What gives??

Are you going to UserCP

then

Edit Profile

at the bottom it should look like this:

[ATTACH]21430[/ATTACH]

Make your changes and click on "Save Changes".

That should do it.

Ed