My First ShopSmith!! (1955 model 500)

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:31 pm

Well, me being in this forum all started by having to figure out how I was going to drill a 1/4" hole through a 1" OD by 6" long dowel. All I had was a hand drill and bit. The entrance hole I knew was going to be easy. A little basic geometry and I knew I could get the center pretty darn close. However, I figured there was NO WAY that my exit hole was going to be anywhere near center after going through 6" of wood freehand so I had to come up with a plan. Little did I know that my plan would result in a Craigslist purchase of a 1955 model 500. I've been watching these ShopSmiths for years at the county fairs but could never justify the $$$. Well, I manged to pick up this old timer for $350. Whether or not that was a good deal I don't know (and don't really care one way or the other) but finally, I have a ShopSmith!!!

Here are a few pics of it minutes after I brought it home.

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Does it run? No idea!! I went on blind faith and a good solid handshake from the guy that sold it to me who looked me straight in the eye and said "you'll love the thing". Had to travel an hour to his "house". He just got kicked out of his girlfriends house (who lived just 1/4 mile down the road) so he carried the ShopSmith from her house to his new pad......unfortunately a cabin in the sticks with NO POWER. Good for me I guess.

Anyway, glad to be in this forum and I am sure that there will be a lot of learning to do. There seems to be a ton of info here and I look forward to meeting you guys (and probably gals). I'll keep you posted on the restoration.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:45 pm

Welcome, Mike! Please do keep us updated. We all like a success story!

judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:07 pm

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JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:46 pm

Before you blindly plug it in and turn the power on:

1) turn the output shaft by hand. Make sure it turns smoothly and that the idler shaft (poking out the shiney plate with the serial# on it) also turns(slightly faster). Put something in the drill chuck that can serve as a 'crank'.

2) Do NOT attempt to turn the speed control dial without the shafts turning.

3) If you are confident all is well, BRIEFLY turn it on.(remove crank first)

4) If it appears NON normal, unplug it and seek help. The sawdust sessions are a good place to get the knowledge you will need.

5) It it seems normal, turn it back on and SLOWLY adjust the speed control dial. It will move (clockwise) towards higher speed easier than towards lower speed.

I hope you get to step 5!

Proper lubrication is a first step you should take b4 using it!

Bon Appetite:)

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:57 pm

Welcome Mike to these forums. Look arond and enjoy.

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:32 pm

JPG - Thanks for the steps. Fortunately, I know to tread lightly when in unfamiliar areas and the ShopSmith is definately one of those areas. First thing I did was try to rotate the drill chuck by hand. It rotated about 15 degrees and came to a hard stop (metal on metal sound). Rotated it back about the same amount and again, hard stop, metal on metal. I looked inside through name plate hole on the BACKSIDE of the headstock and could see where a component of the speed control assembly is hitting up against the fins on the idle sheave. Being the first time looking into the unit, I don't know what it supposed to look like so I need to study it more after work.

I have a feeling that the speed control dial HAS been rotated with the unit in the off position. Maybe that bothed something up. I'll post again after I have a chance to look at it better.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:31 pm

mickyd wrote:JPG - Thanks for the steps. Fortunately, I know to tread lightly when in unfamiliar areas and the ShopSmith is definately one of those areas. First thing I did was try to rotate the drill chuck by hand. It rotated about 15 degrees and came to a hard stop (metal on metal sound). Rotated it back about the same amount and again, hard stop, metal on metal. I looked inside through name plate hole on the BACKSIDE of the headstock and could see where a component of the speed control assembly is hitting up against the fins on the idle sheave. Being the first time looking into the unit, I don't know what it supposed to look like so I need to study it more after work.

I have a feeling that the speed control dial HAS been rotated with the unit in the off position. Maybe that bothed something up. I'll post again after I have a chance to look at it better.

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

The link above should prove helpful! It also will expose you to the sawdust sessions which contain MUCH information that is not as easy to find elsewhere.

The sessions linked below would be of interest to you.
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm

I Suggest STARTING with 'SS121,122,123,124' first and check out the others as the need arises for the included subject. Look at the opening screen on each one of these to see what is included in each. GOOD LUCK!

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:48 pm

jpg40504 wrote:http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm

The link above should prove helpful! It also will expose you to the sawdust sessions which contain MUCH information that is not as easy to find elsewhere.

The sessions linked below would be of interest to you.
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... _Index.htm

I Suggest STARTING with 'SS121,122,123,124' first and check out the others as the need arises for the included subject. Look at the opening screen on each one of these to see what is included in each. GOOD LUCK!

After reviewing the sessions that jpg suggested, I dug in and disassembled my headstock. The problem with the drilll chuck not rotating was obvious. The speed control assembly was trashed and it was hitting the sheave. I attached a pic of what it's NOT SUPPOSED to look like. This must have been caused by someone turning the speed control with the unit off. Ordered a new one Friday. Guess I'll now take progress reports out into the repair community.

Thanks jpg for your help. Those sessions were EXCELLENT.

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JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:50 pm

Good pix. Did you take them in monochrome(black & white) intentionally?

I am curious where the high speed stop screw was when you removed the speed control? I am trying to reconstruct HOW the speed control got bent so badly. Did perhaps the control sheave come out far enough to 'catch"it and bend it? Was the high speed stop mal-adjusted to cause this(screw sticking way out from the jam nut)?

I notice the loop which should loop through the control sheave bearing is 'loose'. It maybe deformed.

If you have not done so, remove the drive belt(motor to control sheave/idler shaft). Make sure the control sheave will slide in and out on the idler shaft(notice there is a key on the shaft and a keyway on the sheave which must be aligned. The key/way prevents the control from ROTATING on the idler shaft. This needs lubrication if you have not already done so.

Keep us posted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:13 pm

I'm going to continue this thread in the appropriate community "repair and maintenance". You can follow the restoration process by clicking on this thread.

jpg......The photo above "trashed speed control" was converted from color to b&W. Once b&W, I adjusted the contrast to get the details to show up better. Hey, I better stick to ShopSmith stuff instead of my other love....photography.

Anyway, scoot over to the "Repair and Maintenance" community under the topic "Trashed Speed Control" that I'll make to continue this thread.