head stock squeal

drbailey · Post by **drbailey** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 11:38 am

at a slow speed such as band saw operation, I get a squeal from the head stock. If I change the speed slightly higher the squeal will dissipate for a short time then return.
Any hints as to what to check out first?
BTW we are useing a Mark V 500

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:03 pm

WHEN was the last time ya oiled it? Ya sure the squeal isn't from the bandsaw?

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:19 pm

Mine did that a few years ago. Lubricating may fix it or not. The bearing in the end of the control sheave is a suspect if there is a history of not lubing on schedule. In my case it was a motor bearing. Only 30 years old!!
Your description leads me to believe a bearing. Mine took about 10 minutes of run time before the bearing started to make a noise.
Bill V

drbailey · Post by **drbailey** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:33 pm

Thanks guys, Im sorry to admit how uneducated I am about the SS.
I did have a squeal on the band saw at one time, I mearly adjusted the metal guard on the saw ,from rubbing the blade.
this squeal done come in after a few short minutes of running. It is for sure comeing from the stock head .
I will look into the stock head in a few minutes, do I need to drop the shroud to inspect the bearings?

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 4:58 pm

drbailey wrote:Thanks guys, Im sorry to admit how uneducated I am about the SS.
I did have a squeal on the band saw at one time, I mearly adjusted the metal guard on the saw ,from rubbing the blade.
this squeal done come in after a few short minutes of running. It is for sure comeing from the stock head .
I will look into the stock head in a few minutes, do I need to drop the shroud to inspect the bearings?

Rather than 'inspect' bearings(that would require almost an entire disassembly), let us do some 'PM' first.

I am not recalling which model you have, so read the following with that in mind.

I would first remove the belt cover. That is a sheet metal shroud covering the left end of the headstock. This will give you access to the motor pulley which consists of a fixed 'fan sheave' and a movable 'floating sheave' which is spring loaded towards the fan sheave(i.e. the spring causes the belt to be 'squeezed').

There is an 'oil hole' in the hub of the floating sheave that is usually hidden beneath a coil of the spring. Normally oil is added through this hole, but if the SS has not been lubed regularly, additional oil may be applied where the hub keyway mates with the key on the motor shaft. Do not be stingy with the oil. You cannot 'over oil' it. Any excess will be thrown off the pulley(keep that in mind if you run it with the belt cover 'off'). It may help to raise the SS to vertical after adding oil to the keyway so as to allow the oil to seep down into the keyway.

If you have a 'B' headstock, remove the ShopSmith logo from the access hole at the rear of the headstock. If you have an 'A' headstock, the motor and motor pan need to be removed to provide good access to the speed control parts.

The idler pulley consists of the fixed 'idler sheave' and the movable 'control sheave'. The hub of the control sheave has an oil hole similar to the one on the floating sheave hub. Again you cannot over oil this. If you have an 'A' headstock with original control sheave, there will not be an oil hole!:( It be important to add oil to the surfaces which the control sheave hub slides on(the idler shaft and keyway). In addition a small bearing in the end of the control sheave hub needs oil. Overnight with the headstock raised to vertical with profuse oil in the hub etc. will allow oil to drain down to the bearing.

This does nothing for the main shaft bearings nor the quill shaft bearing(s). However they are 'permanently' lubricated and if they be squeaking, replacement would be in order. Let us not go there unless it becomes obvious that is needed.

This may be more than you requested, but that is where I would 'start'.

drbailey · Post by **drbailey** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:40 pm

The high pitch squeal went away fast, it sounded rough for a half minute then smothed out. I have a you tube to post so you can hear it.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrSlyhup ... SjEz85QHrk

drbailey · Post by **drbailey** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 9:42 pm

you tube after reassembled.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SjEz85QHrk

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 10:05 pm

drbailey wrote:you tube after reassembled.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SjEz85QHrk

It appears the squeal is the motor bearings. It most likely will return 'some day'.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 10:16 pm

Did ya remove the motor sheave and check the back of it for wear marks?

drbailey · Post by **drbailey** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 10:16 pm

Gotta admit , Im getting educated fast!

after I get over this wood investment so far I will upgrade the head stock.
Thanks for the guidance, Im still happy with the purchase, I wouldn't mind freshening up the motor if need be , but I think I will upgrade.