vibration problems in headstock

bergdahl · Post by **bergdahl** » Tue May 19, 2009 8:20 pm

Just wondering if anyone else has encountered a vibration in their headstock. The end on the spindle visually moves a little...almost acts like a bearing maybe bad? I have been using the machine for bowl turning mostly and I think that the problem has slowly developed over the last few projects.
Anyway I don't dare use it now until I get the problem corrected.

Is this something that has to be sent back to Shopsmith for repair or can
I tackle it myself? Maybe I should call Shopsmith. Just thought I would run it by you guys first.

Any ideas would be great! Thanks!!

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue May 19, 2009 8:57 pm

It maybe as easy as replacing the quill assembly? How old is your 500?

bergdahl · Post by **bergdahl** » Tue May 19, 2009 9:14 pm

Thanks for the answer Bob. My machine is about 3 1/2 years old. Could it
be possible that I actually bent the spindle while turning a larger bowl? It
seems to wobble a bit.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue May 19, 2009 10:51 pm

bergdahl wrote:Thanks for the answer Bob. My machine is about 3 1/2 years old. Could it
be possible that I actually bent the spindle while turning a larger bowl? It
seems to wobble a bit.

Remove the aluminum ring around the end of the spindle(just behind the output shaft). Determine if the shaft moves from side to side of up and down when you apply pressure to it(try wiggling it manually without it rotating). If there is any bearing play it WILL 'wiggle'. Rotate it by hand while watching the inner bearing race(the part around the shaft). It should move in a smooth circular motion(no eccentricity). Finally does ONLY the end of the shaft 'wobble' when rotated.

The first two observations indicate faulty bearing(s). The last indicates a bent shaft. It IS doubtful you have bent the shaft UNLESS you have been turning VERY HEAVY UNBALANCED workpieces. This is easier to see IF you put a STRAIGHT rod into a mounted drill chuck.

iclark · Post by **iclark** » Tue May 19, 2009 11:54 pm

depending on where you are located, there may be experienced and highly recommended repair services closer to you than SS.

you might try putting your general location in your forum info.

Ivan

bergdahl · Post by **bergdahl** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:31 am

Thanks for all your replies.

I live close to Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota. Might there be any
repair facilities in this area?

Sounds like I bent the shaft

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Wed May 20, 2009 1:18 am

bergdahl wrote:Thanks for all your replies.

I live close to Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota. Might there be any
repair facilities in this area?

Sounds like I bent the shaft

I'm like JPG! It is really hard to imagine how the shaft got bent! Especially, since you are working with a 510 or 520 with a two bearing quill. Like JPG said - mount a straight drill bit into the chuck and see if the point wobbles (makes an arc). If your shaft is bent, there are some good references to replacement, here on the forum.

If you shaft is not bent - give us more information and let us try to help diagnose the cause of the problem.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Wed May 20, 2009 2:39 am

Wow! I find it hard to beleive that having a large piece of (even unbalanced) wood on the end of the shaft could bend it! If that is the problem, you can stilll correct it yourself. You will have to replace the quill. Be very sure that is the problem before you replace it. Vibrations can occur because of a bad belt too! Do knot rule that out.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:03 pm

bergdahl wrote:Thanks for the answer Bob. My machine is about 3 1/2 years old. Could it
be possible that I actually bent the spindle while turning a larger bowl? It
seems to wobble a bit.

WHAT is the Serial No on your SS?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed May 20, 2009 12:46 pm

a1gutterman wrote:Wow! I find it hard to beleive that having a large piece of (even unbalanced) wood on the end of the shaft could bend it! If that is the problem, you can stilll correct it yourself. You will have to replace the quill. Be very sure that is the problem before you replace it. Vibrations can occur because of a bad belt too! Do knot rule that out.

If the vibration is caused by a bent shaft in the quill - would removing the quill and operating the Mark V at that same speed (or through the range for that matter) prove anything.

In other words - if the quill is causing the vibration, removing the quill should eliminate the vibration.

Can the headstock be run under power with the quill removed??