Power pro problems and no response from SS

[DLB]

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

... 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...

First, welcome back from your self-imposed exile! Then some clarification or an alternative interpretation. I did not think that the OP was talking about a systemic problem with the PowerPro torque at low speed so much as one symptom of the problems he is/was having with his. I've had a similar experience with one I bought used, except I felt it was at all speeds. But it has plenty of torque at low speed now. The only way I'm stopping it at 250 RPM is with one of the belts slipping, and I adjust them a bit tighter on the PowerPro than on conventional. I've never used a gouge at 250 RPM, but feel I'd be able to. Note that it's not clear in the thread whether the OP still had this symptom after the loose setscrew in the fan was resolved. On Gen 1 PowerPro with the original motor design the cooling fan is also the mechanical portion of RPM/Position feedback. It is imperative that the fan be correctly positioned.

I don't blame the OP for being resentful. By all accounts, Shopsmith failed to provide acceptable customer service. This is definitely not the only time that has happened. IIWM, I'd be demanding that they provide warranty service based on the original dates the problems were reported.

- David

[RFGuy]

First, welcome back from your self-imposed exile! Then some clarification or an alternative interpretation. I did not think that the OP was talking about a systemic problem with the PowerPro torque at low speed so much as one symptom of the problems he is/was having with his. I've had a similar experience with one I bought used, except I felt it was at all speeds. But it has plenty of torque at low speed now. The only way I'm stopping it at 250 RPM is with one of the belts slipping, and I adjust them a bit tighter on the PowerPro than on conventional. I've never used a gouge at 250 RPM, but feel I'd be able to. Note that it's not clear in the thread whether the OP still had this symptom after the loose setscrew in the fan was resolved. On Gen 1 PowerPro with the original motor design the cooling fan is also the mechanical portion of RPM/Position feedback. It is imperative that the fan be correctly positioned.

I don't blame the OP for being resentful. By all accounts, Shopsmith failed to provide acceptable customer service. This is definitely not the only time that has happened. IIWM, I'd be demanding that they provide warranty service based on the original dates the problems were reported.

- David

David,

Thanks. I have always valued your feedback on this forum and found your responses to be helpful. It is good to know of your experience with your PP and appreciate your response here. I would love for gavcon to log back in and perhaps give more information on what he experienced, but based on his last post it is likely doubtful. IF I understand his initial post correctly, he posted about several PP issues. First was the infamous vibration induced setscrew loosening. Yes, loctite should fix that and I am not going to beat that dead horse here. Separate from this, he indicated that the PP has no torque at low speeds (250 RPM). Going to assume that this was in fact a separate issue AND NOT related to the setscrew loosening phenomenon. Third, his machine made an intermittent growling sound when turning large bowl blanks at low speed. Fourth, the back bearing on the idler shaft worked it's way loose from the eccentric. Fifth, the machine started making a rattling sound that was isolated to the motor itself. On gavcon's most recent post he indicated "SS made absolutely no effort to address the problems with my machine", which I think is the most concerning of all that was reported. Given all of this, I do wonder if perhaps gavcon just got a lemon of a PP. Is his reporting of low torque at low speed (250 RPM) an anomaly for just his machine, or have others experienced this as well? He did respond on this thread and seemed to indicate that he had good tension on his belts so I have to assume that this was a separate issue for him. I also assume that the low torque is NOT related to the loose setscrews reported.