Broken Gilmer Belt

bob_the_builder · Post by **bob_the_builder** » Tue May 05, 2009 6:30 pm

Does anyone know of someone that would be willing to replace a broken Gilmer belt on my Father-in-law's Shopsmith in Milwaukee, WI? Thanks

Dennis

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Tue May 05, 2009 6:40 pm

bob_the_builder wrote:Does anyone know of someone that would be willing to replace a broken Gilmer belt on my Father-in-law's Shopsmith in Milwaukee, WI? Thanks

Dennis

Maybe son-in-law Dennis would be a tad adventurous?? It's easy. Watch it done in this video.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS123/SS123_Shopsmith_Reborn_Pt3.htm

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue May 05, 2009 7:33 pm

mickyd wrote:Maybe son-in-law Dennis would be a tad adventurous?? It's easy. Watch it done in this video.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS123/SS123_Shopsmith_Reborn_Pt3.htm

Probably depends on WHERE Dennis is!

Mike I am surprised you did NOT chastise him for not revealing HIS location.

. . . Or con him into thinking his HOUSE would disappear if he did NOT!:D

Dennis: add YOUR 10-20 to your profile(Please).

bob_the_builder · Post by **bob_the_builder** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:14 pm

Okay, you caught me!

I'm in Dallas, Texas. It may have to be that I and and my favorite brother-in-law will attempt to do the belt change the next time I'm in Milwaukee. I watched the video and found the expert used the word "perverse" a lot when he was working on the unit which was sitting on top of a work bench. I even think the unit shown was a cut out demo unit. Now I'm thinking a couple of rank amateurs will probably spend the whole day trying to dismantle and understand all the keys, locks, bearings, etc. that have to be overcome before you even get close to the Gilmer belt. That may require the quartermaster to procure a couple of six-packs in preparation for the assault.

You see, with Father's day coming, having the belt replaced by a knowledgeable craftsman sounded like a five star gift for a ShopSmith guy who doesn't have the background to try the repair by himself.

Thanks,

Dennis

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:49 pm

bob_the_builder wrote:Okay, you caught me!

I'm in Dallas, Texas. It may have to be that I and and my favorite brother-in-law will attempt to do the belt change the next time I'm in Milwaukee. I watched the video and found the expert used the word "perverse" a lot when he was working on the unit which was sitting on top of a work bench. I even think the unit shown was a cut out demo unit. Now I'm thinking a couple of rank amateurs will probably spend the whole day trying to dismantle and understand all the keys, locks, bearings, etc. that have to be overcome before you even get close to the Gilmer belt. That may require the quartermaster to procure a couple of six-packs in preparation for the assault.

You see, with Father's day coming, having the belt replaced by a knowledgeable craftsman sounded like a five star gift for a ShopSmith guy who doesn't have the background to try the repair by himself.

Thanks,

Dennis

Doing what needs to be done to replace the Gilmer is not really a major tasks even for someone who has not lived inside of a Shopsmith. However, watching Nick in the video working on a cut away version of the headstock is a lot different than working thru that round portal while feeling your way around inside.

That being said, that six pack should probably be set aside until the success party at the end of the day.

I think the Father's Day gift idea would be really neat. May I suggest that you contact either Shopsmith at 1-800-543-7586 or Bill Mayo at http://www.billstoolz.com to get that done.

He can be contacted by PM or at http://www.billstoolz.com

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue May 05, 2009 8:54 pm

bob_the_builder wrote:Okay, you caught me!

I'm in Dallas, Texas. It may have to be that I and and my favorite brother-in-law will attempt to do the belt change the next time I'm in Milwaukee. I watched the video and found the expert used the word "perverse" a lot when he was working on the unit which was sitting on top of a work bench. I even think the unit shown was a cut out demo unit. Now I'm thinking a couple of rank amateurs will probably spend the whole day trying to dismantle and understand all the keys, locks, bearings, etc. that have to be overcome before you even get close to the Gilmer belt. That may require the quartermaster to procure a couple of six-packs in preparation for the assault.

You see, with Father's day coming, having the belt replaced by a knowledgeable craftsman sounded like a five star gift for a ShopSmith guy who doesn't have the background to try the repair by himself.

Thanks,

Dennis

As you have already noticed, this is NOT a quickly done task. Any 'local volunteer' would be doing it as an act of love(for the machine).

Thorough inspection and lubrication should also be done WHILE replacing the belt. Only rarely does it get so much disassembling and adjusting. NOW IS THE TIME to do those things!

Thank you for the Dallas info. Now put that info in your profile. Click on [User CP] at the far left of the 'tool bar'! If you post MORE than 3 x without putting that info in your profile, Your house will 'disappear':D !

BTW I recommend a 30 Pack, and as Dusty has suggested, do NOT open it UNTIL AFTER successful completion of this task. Also Bill Mayo is in FLA. SS is in OHIO. Probably Not an option for you. Being a GILMER version, SS may recommend upgrading it to a poly-v drive. Think $$$$$$$

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:29 pm

bob_the_builder wrote:You see, with Father's day coming, having the belt replaced by a knowledgeable craftsman sounded like a five star gift for a ShopSmith guy who doesn't have the background to try the repair by himself.

Thanks,

Dennis

Man, just think of how proud that father-in-law would be of one son-in-law and son who brought is baby back to life right in front of his eyes!!! I can see the gleam in his eye now.

What do you build "bob_the_builder"? Boats? (Say that 3 times fast).

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:38 pm

After re-reading Dusty's post it occurred to me that it is POSSIBLE that his Gilmer SS if Green May NOT have the access hole. That would change the procedural sequence/effort.

P.S. WAYYYY to GO BTB. You found your profile. Your House is off the HIT list.

etc92guy · Post by **etc92guy** » Tue May 05, 2009 9:45 pm

For what it's worth, I spent three days with Bill Mayo last year. That doesn't qualify me as a expert. I replaced my gilmer belt two months ago during a overhaul to restore a Mark V. That doesn't qualify me as a expert. If you want this as a surprise, it can't happen. It gets really noisy when I drive the drive system out.

PM me with where he is in MKE and when this has to happen and I'll see if we can get this to work. Oh, and how do you know it's the Gilmer? Be aware I currently don't have the tools to replace bearing, at least not yet.

Oh, and I wouldn't call myself a craftsman.

mickyd · Post by **mickyd** » Tue May 05, 2009 10:03 pm

JPG40504 wrote:After re-reading Dusty's post it occurred to me that it is POSSIBLE that his Gilmer SS if Green May NOT have the access hole. That would change the procedural sequence/effort.

With no access hole....makes the job all that much easier. You won't be working with your hand in the hole with no visual clues.

If your serious about attempting the work, have him give you the serial number of the unit. If it is higher than SN 309828, it will probably have the access hole. If it's lower than SN 303185, it probably won't. In between.....???? No access hole means you'll have to come up from the bottom which is no big deal.