Shopsmith Speed reducer and greasing the spindle and bearing

[SteveBig]

The 1st speed reducer I got from Shopsmith burned up the needle bearings after about 16 hours of time making bowls. Shopsmith doesn't mention anything about greasing the bearings after any hours of use. Is anyone else having any issues with these needle bearings or the shaft wearing out due to lack of grease? Has anyone found any recommended hours of use before needing to grease the spindle and bearings? How much grease is recommended to get in the inside where the shaft goes in? What sucks is you have to totally take the thing apart to grease the speed reducer. To get any answers from Shopsmith takes weeks and weeks and maybe not at all!

Thanks

[BuckeyeDennis]

I've never had any trouble with my speed reducer, but I haven't used it heavily.

I'm curious -- I bought mine used, and it didn't come with a manual. What does your manual say about periodic maintenance?

[SteveBig]

Nothing about adding grease. Only to adjust the belts.

[reible]

I have had mine for a long while without issue. I think the bearings are a sealed type that are not normally services by adding grease.

It could be that you're having an issue due to a defect. If you got it new from Shopsmith they might fix it or replace it if it is still under coverage.

It is also possible to over load the speed reduced with work pieces that are to heavy or out of balance. Trimming off excess and using a tail stock when starting might be in order.

Ed

[SteveBig]

The outside bearings are the sealed type on the top spindle. The top spindles actually work by one sliding into the other. There are 2 small needle bearings the shaft rides on. There is nothing other than those needle bearings that hold any kind of grease in. I actually got a brand new top spindle pair from Shopsmith..and believe there isn't much grease in them when they shipped them to me. I have a brother-in-law that is in the business of machine repair for well over 30 years and he thinks it is a poor design also....unless I'm missing something. To me the who area should probably be filled up with grease and the new one only had some on the needle bearings that shaft slides through and then rides on.

[SteveBig]

As far as using the tail stock...I use it till I can't use it anymore. Plus I have always tried to round and balance large blocks the best I can.