PowerPro Woes...

[wa2crk]

This is a quote from the SS website.
"Smoother, Quieter Operation" is stated as a benefit of the PP
Bill V

[shopsmithpaul]

If I am missing something it appears the quill can be removed and switched with his other quill to test it out. Sue was quoted saying to loosen the quill retaining screw on the top to help the retraction issue. If you can do that you can remove the quill without warranty implications I would think. It seems to me the problem is in the spline quill shaft alignment to the top end rear bearing or a bent or off center spline shaft. I had a similar problem with a 510 and it was a bad joint of the spline shaft in the quill. If any pressure was applied to the quill weather it be by the quill lock, side pressure to the quill, or just being retracted against headstock the vibration went away. just a few thoughts.

[JPG]

I think it is time to address one problem at a time.

So since 'she' told you to check the keyway on the top of the quill, remove the half dog setscrew. Does it retract fully now?

Next step depends upon the answer.

[neal560sl]

My DIY PowerPro runs smooth as silk, but the quill doesn't retract the way it should either. I have removed it probably a dozen times at least and it still bothers. If it were me I would ask for a replacement if it was bought as a ready assembled unit. They need to make it right!

[reible]

I still think that shopsmith needs to make this right. You should NOT have a vibration issue.

The quill is another thing, for that I have found it will need working in. The parts are not a perfect match and some "wearing in" takes place. I have swapped out the old single bearing quills on the three machines I own and have replace a worn 2 bearing quill as well as replacing the quills in the two powerpros. In every case the fit was not great for a while but wore in over the period of a short while. That even happens if you swap quills between machines.

The newest powerpro took the longest of the ones I have done, I'm thinking because of the colder weather. It is also important to wax the teeth, use a tooth brush to make sure you get in to the nooks and get it covered and brushed off again. I normally do it twice, wax on wax off wax on wax off.

Cotton q-tips work really great a finding burrs. Drag the q-tip along it will catch on the burr, yes you have to do it both ways because it is possible to have the catch only happening in one direction due to the nature of the burr.

I think the quill sticking issue will work itself out.

BTW I have a habit of taking the quill out after it seems to be wearing in and often find metal bits left in the teeth. Clean them out and wax again.

Ed

[algale]

Is the quill "wearing in" issue that Ed describes one that folks have found to be true with the Mark V as well? If not, what is different about the Power Pro headstock that makes the quill not a perfect match from the outset?

I still think that shopsmith needs to make this right. You should NOT have a vibration issue.

The quill is another thing, for that I have found it will need working in. The parts are not a perfect match and some "wearing in" takes place. I have swapped out the old single bearing quills on the three machines I own and have replace a worn 2 bearing quill as well as replacing the quills in the two powerpros. In every case the fit was not great for a while but wore in over the period of a short while. That even happens if you swap quills between machines.

The newest powerpro took the longest of the ones I have done, I'm thinking because of the colder weather. It is also important to wax the teeth, use a tooth brush to make sure you get in to the nooks and get it covered and brushed off again. I normally do it twice, wax on wax off wax on wax off.

Cotton q-tips work really great a finding burrs. Drag the q-tip along it will catch on the burr, yes you have to do it both ways because it is possible to have the catch only happening in one direction due to the nature of the burr.

I think the quill sticking issue will work itself out.

BTW I have a habit of taking the quill out after it seems to be wearing in and often find metal bits left in the teeth. Clean them out and wax again.

Ed

[dusty]

Is the quill "wearing in" issue that Ed describes one that folks have found to be true with the Mark V as well? If not, what is different about the Power Pro headstock that makes the quill not a perfect match from the outset?

I still think that shopsmith needs to make this right. You should NOT have a vibration issue.

The quill is another thing, for that I have found it will need working in. The parts are not a perfect match and some "wearing in" takes place. I have swapped out the old single bearing quills on the three machines I own and have replace a worn 2 bearing quill as well as replacing the quills in the two powerpros. In every case the fit was not great for a while but wore in over the period of a short while. That even happens if you swap quills between machines.

The newest powerpro took the longest of the ones I have done, I'm thinking because of the colder weather. It is also important to wax the teeth, use a tooth brush to make sure you get in to the nooks and get it covered and brushed off again. I normally do it twice, wax on wax off wax on wax off.

Cotton q-tips work really great a finding burrs. Drag the q-tip along it will catch on the burr, yes you have to do it both ways because it is possible to have the catch only happening in one direction due to the nature of the burr.

I think the quill sticking issue will work itself out.

BTW I have a habit of taking the quill out after it seems to be wearing in and often find metal bits left in the teeth. Clean them out and wax again.

Ed

Very good question. I, fortunately, have not had the experience. If I have, it was so long ago that I don't recall. Believe, if there is such a phenomena, it occurred long ago.

I understand burrs becoming an issue but "wearing in" is foreign to my thinking.

I'll be watching this thread closely.

My manufacturing back gound makes me want to research the vendor list. Who made what and when.

[dusty]

Four weeks???????????? WoW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is Shopsmith that busy?

Hopefully, this time of year but 4 weeks seems excessive for a quality issue that is under warranty. I would think that a "new warranted PowerPro" would go directly to the work bench and it would be attended to by the Quality Control Manager.

[dusty]

Ok, well, Fedex delived the package on Saturday so I got the headstock mounted today, waxed the quill and tried it out after the alleged repair.

NO DIFFERENCE FROM WHEN IT WAS SENT IN! STILL CHATTERS LIKE A JACKHAMMER WHEN EXTENDING THE QUILL!

So this leads me to several thoughts:

1. That's the way it's supposed to work which would be sad since my original headstock was smooth as silk.

2. SS got pissed I called to find out when they were going to fix it and they just shipped it back without doing anything. Again, sad customer service, seems I should be able to ask about my repair.

No documentation on what if anything was done, pretty sure they just held on to it for a couple of weeks then shipped it back.

So using the 1/4"bit setting (1700 rpm), it's like holding on to a palm sander or something it vibrates so hard. Can't wait to try it at a faster speed, that's going to be very special. And guess what, doesn't drill a decent hole with that vibration either, unless you want oval holes.

I give up. Guess I'll have to buy a drill press. Seems odd to spend that kind of money and get less of a machine than I had before. Purchased the original SS in 1997, never had a lick of trouble with it.

Remove the chuck and drill bit and then go through the drilling procedure. Do you feel all of the same vibrations and bindings?

Oval holes scream out to me - bad bearings, bent bits, bits chucked wrong. Especially when you report that all other functions are normal.

[dusty]

Opps. Oval holes are no longer a problem. Don't know why but this is a good thing.

Sticky quill - shouldn't be but should also be a customer resolved issue. If not - insist on a new quill.

STILL CHATTERS LIKE A JACKHAMMER WHEN EXTENDING THE QUILL! - maybe a slight exaggeration???