Speed Dial adjustment issue

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:28 am

On New Year's Day I did my lube and maintenance on the headstock. After turning the speed control to high in order to access and oil the sheaves, I turned the speed control down to slow and shut the machine off. Yesterday, I turned the machine on and dialed up the speed control to the fast setting where the dial stops. However, when I turned the speed dial back down to slow the dial passed that setting and stopped at the "V" setting on the speed dial. My question is three-fold: 1) has anyone else experienced this, 2) how can I avoid this in the future when doing maintenance, and 3) Is there an easy way to correct this? I have read the manual and it doesn't answer my question.

BPR

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:04 am

ryanbp01 wrote:On New Year's Day I did my lube and maintenance on the headstock. After turning the speed control to high in order to access and oil the sheaves, I turned the speed control down to slow and shut the machine off. Yesterday, I turned the machine on and dialed up the speed control to the fast setting where the dial stops. However, when I turned the speed dial back down to slow the dial passed that setting and stopped at the "V" setting on the speed dial. My question is three-fold: 1) has anyone else experienced this, 2) how can I avoid this in the future when doing maintenance, and 3) Is there an easy way to correct this? I have read the manual and it doesn't answer my question.

BPR

Yes, I find the SLOW speed position can vary after setting the HIGH speed adjustment or lubicating the sheaves. As you go toward the SLOW speed position, the floating sheave is sliding toward the end of the motor shaft. If you do not use the slowest speed setting over time, crud builds up on the unused part of the motor shaft. When you lubicate the fan sheave, the oil will help clean the shaft and allow the floating sheave to slide to its original position. I know this is clear as mud.

I set the high speed adjustment and speed control dial to FAST and not worry about the SLOW position being correct. As the belt wears, you will be able to go past the SLOW position. I listen for a strange noise as I go past the SLOW position. When I hear this noise, I back up the speed control handle until the noise disappears. This noise is the belt hitting on or trying to go past the vein tips of the fan and floating sheave. When the belt becomes quite worn, the belt can drop pass the vein tips and hang/stop the motor. On well used Shopsmiths, I try to stay a couple letters away from FAST and SLOW positions so the belt does not get stuck when turning off the Shopsmith.

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:53 am

Bill-

Is there a further adjustment I can make to lessen the effect of this the next time I lubricate the sheaves?

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 11:59 am

ryanbp01 wrote:Bill-

Is there a further adjustment I can make to lessen the effect of this the next time I lubricate the sheaves?

How worn is the motor belt? How wide is it at the 'top'. As Bill said, a worn belt contributes to this 'excessive' range!:)

reible · Post by **reible** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:11 pm

Just wondering if you happened to pop the cover and see where the belt is setting when adjusted to high and then ran down towards slow??

I guess that would be my first step in trying to figure out what is going on, from what I have seen on my machines I could maybe get just past the slow mark but no where near the "fast" or "w" or much less "v" marks.

That would seem to far to me, especial if you are doing normal maintenance and this just started happening.

Ed

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 12:28 pm

reible wrote:Just wondering if you happened to pop the cover and see where the belt is setting when adjusted to high and then ran down towards slow??

Ed

The belt should be almost to the outside edge of the motor pulley when at HIGH speed.

This is the starting point to perform 'high speed adjustment'.

I suggest a review of sawdust session # 17. Check your belt width!:)

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... hanger.htm

ryanbp01 · Post by **ryanbp01** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:06 pm

reible wrote:Just wondering if you happened to pop the cover and see where the belt is setting when adjusted to high and then ran down towards slow??

I guess that would be my first step in trying to figure out what is going on, from what I have seen on my machines I could maybe get just past the slow mark but no where near the "fast" or "w" or much less "v" marks.

That would seem to far to me, especial if you are doing normal maintenance and this just started happening.

Ed

I agree. It has happened after each 6 month lubrication where the dial moves a little farther after each time. I'm going to check the machine tomorrow afternoon to see if I can see what's going on. I'll let you know what I have found out and if I can fix the problem.

BPR