Power pro problems and no response from SS

[wurlitzerwilly]

I had a couple of set work loose in the past. What I did is put a small amount of RTV on the threads of the set screw and let it cure. Then re-install the screw, the RTV will hold the set screw ok and you can loosen the set screw several times before renewing the RTV.
I think that the rapid switching of the motor causes a vibration that is not apparent to the user but may be causing the set screws to loosen.
Bill V

That's exactly right. It's when it switches between under and over speed and it's the frequency of compensation that causes the issue.

[edma194]

I had this problem many years ago, with the bandsaw coupler. I tried Loctite and a new coupler, but still that sucker came loose!

I remember you from this thread: viewtopic.php?t=9002
Link to thread on just the adjustments: viewtopic.php?p=129087#p129087
Link to thread about other PowerPro issues: viewtopic.php?p=111615#p111615

The software adjustments are shown there. I think there was some warning not to make those changes as well. I have to review the whole thread now. I have a 2nd PowerPro now with older software than my first one so I'm a little more comfortable adjusting those settings. I do plan to examine all the settings for differences between the the two machines but I don't know if there are additional software changes that are not simply settings and also to contact Shopsmith and see if they have any info. They just added the PowerPro headstock diagram and parts list to the service parts table, perhaps more info will be forthcoming.

[JPG]

I recall an admonishment from "SS Engineer"(presumably Jim McCann) to not do those changes unless personally instructed to do so.

[wurlitzerwilly]

The instructions in those links are not the same as the ones I was given.
As the cat's already out of the bag, I see no harm in relating my instructions, but I would stress that if anyone has issues doing this, I accept no responsibility and in fact I advise not to do it.

From switch on:
Press LOCK + 9500
Press 2000
Press 900 3 times
Press 1350 twice
Press 2000
= 3210
Press CONFIRM to accept
Check CUR LIM = 100
Step via UP/DOWN buttons
TRQRMP = 1000
SPDRMP = 725-1
Set to 730
Press CONFIRM
Check IRGAIN = 28835
RROFFSET = 82
Set to 92
Press CONFIRM
Press OFF

It also needs to be borne in mind that these instructions were issued fairly soon after the 1st PowerPro issue, so it's only for the original software.

[edma194]

I'm having the banging problem with this older Shopsmith. Time to contact them and see if they offer any useful help. If they can't tell me anything else I'm going to check those settings to see if they've been changed at all. If I run out of options I'll try the changes. I'm very interested to see if the software can be updated somehow. Even if it requires a new keypad it's still not a very costly fix.

[wurlitzerwilly]

I'm having the banging problem with this older Shopsmith. Time to contact them and see if they offer any useful help. If they can't tell me anything else I'm going to check those settings to see if they've been changed at all. If I run out of options I'll try the changes. I'm very interested to see if the software can be updated somehow. Even if it requires a new keypad it's still not a very costly fix.

I did not have any audible banging when I was given those settings, so they may not apply to you. All I had was set screws coming loose. Those settings cured that. They're very small changes and as long as you don't disturb anything else, I doubt they'd do any harm for you, but they may not afford a fix for your issues.

I suspect that the reason they didn't want them published is because of the initial codes allowing access to the software. Some people will tweak anything to find out what it does and that's not only stupid, it's dangerous, so I agree with their concern.

[edma194]

I did not have any audible banging when I was given those settings, so they may not apply to you. All I had was set screws coming loose. Those settings cured that. They're very small changes and as long as you don't disturb anything else, I doubt they'd do any harm for you, but they may not afford a fix for your issues.

I suspect that the reason they didn't want them published is because of the initial codes allowing access to the software. Some people will tweak anything to find out what it does and that's not only stupid, it's dangerous, so I agree with their concern.

I'm following up in this thread: viewtopic.php?t=28812

There was another issue to cover, maybe more to come.

[gavcon]

It has been six years since I initially started this thread. I resolved my Shopsmith lathe issues by buying a real lathe (Powermatic 2020) and have immensely enjoyed working with a machine that is well designed and works perfectly every time I turn it on. I still use the SS for bandsaw ,disk sander and jointer, but it continues to give me problems.
I am still incredibly resentful that SS made absolutely no effort to address the problems with my machine, after I paid them TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS.
And I do appreciate all the responses from you guys on this forum to help me solve those problems, but really, WHY DO I HAVE TO ASK YOU TO SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT A) SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE AND B) SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED, IMMEDIATELY, BY THE MANUFACTURER?
As I said before, I owned and operated a custom cabinet company for 33 years. When one of my customers had an issue with a cabinet we built, I would send a crew to fix it. Immediately. For free.

[RFGuy]

It has been six years since I initially started this thread. I resolved my Shopsmith lathe issues by buying a real lathe (Powermatic 2020) and have immensely enjoyed working with a machine that is well designed and works perfectly every time I turn it on. I still use the SS for bandsaw ,disk sander and jointer, but it continues to give me problems.
I am still incredibly resentful that SS made absolutely no effort to address the problems with my machine, after I paid them TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS.
And I do appreciate all the responses from you guys on this forum to help me solve those problems, but really, WHY DO I HAVE TO ASK YOU TO SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT A) SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE AND B) SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED, IMMEDIATELY, BY THE MANUFACTURER?
As I said before, I owned and operated a custom cabinet company for 33 years. When one of my customers had an issue with a cabinet we built, I would send a crew to fix it. Immediately. For free.

The machine has no torque at low speeds. At 250 RPMs I can stop the bowl blank with my hand.

Coming out of my self-imposed exile from this forum again to offer my opinion here. Thanks for sharing all of this and I am glad you finally have resolution though I wish Shopsmith had done more for you. I have seen enough Shopsmith owners report problems with the PowerPro that I will never get one. First $2k is A LOT of money for essentially a new motor and related electronics, but the more important issue is the low reliability - frequent issues/repairs needed on this platform. Big purchases like large woodworking machinery should ONLY required routine maintenance, NOT complete teardowns to fix them often like the PowerPro does. I know everyone on this forum loves my analogies ( ), so I will make one here for comparison. The PowerPro is like owning a car that breaks down every 6 months where you have to pull the engine just so that you can get at a sensor or other minor part to replace or jiggle to get it working again...then reinstall engine and you are back on the road again. Oh, and it overheats if you drive at 70MPH on the freeway for more than 10 minutes so you have to pull over and take breaks. My Mark V original headstock is rock solid compared to the PowerPro, though it doesn't have the purported features that the PowerPro claims. This is the first I have heard that the low speed (250 RPM) has no torque and that a bowl can be stopped, by hand, while spinning at 250 RPM on the PowerPro. I have to ask what is the point of purchasing it then for woodturning? IF I can't use a gouge while a bowl is spinning at 250RPM for fear that the bowl stops turning then I am dead in the water. Sorry, I wasn't on the forum when you first posted this thread, but in reading it now, this is the first anyone has told me that bowl turning on the PowerPro is impossible at 250RPM due to insufficient torque. Just re-confirms my decision to NEVER own a PowerPro. Congrats on the Powermatic lathe. I have looked at it in the past and seen it in demonstrations and it looks like a high quality machine to me. Definitely one I will consider once my woodturning skills advance enough for me to move on from my Mark V.

Happy woodturning on that Powermatic 2020!

[nuhobby]

All the replies here are valid.

I have a super-super-early 2010 PowerPro and it's still going strong. But I related, basically, it changed me from being a Shopsmith "fanboy" to a Shopsmith fan.