Now I've Done It! Seized Up Headstock!

[guitarnut]

Well, this is my second equipment failure today. My Ridgid 13" planer started making a nasty squealing sound this morning...HD exchanged it, no questions asked.

Now, the real problem. I was ripping some 2" maple...1" on one side, flipped it over did the second pass... on my Mark V and all went well. I finished the maple and set up my bandsaw for resawing. When I powered up the Mark V to reset the speed, I got some nasty clicking and then hummmmm.

The top output shaft will rock back and forth slightly but the bottom shaft is locked up solid.

Being that I am fairly handy with my hands, should I attempt to crack it open and troubleshoot or should I just send it in for repair? I watched Nick (I think that's his name) take one apart on the Sawdust Sessions, it didn't seem all that complicated. You guys do your own repairs or ship off to a pro? Heck, maybe some of you are pros!

Feedback (encouragement) welcome,
Mark

[dusty]

Well, this is my second equipment failure today. My Ridgid 13" planer started making a nasty squealing sound this morning...HD exchanged it, no questions asked.

Now, the real problem. I was ripping some 2" maple...1" on one side, flipped it over did the second pass... on my Mark V and all went well. I finished the maple and set up my bandsaw for resawing. When I powered up the Mark V to reset the speed, I got some nasty clicking and then hummmmm.

The top output shaft will rock back and forth slightly but the bottom shaft is locked up solid.

Being that I am fairly handy with my hands, should I attempt to crack it open and troubleshoot or should I just send it in for repair? I watched Nick (I think that's his name) take one apart on the Sawdust Sessions, it didn't seem all that complicated. You guys do your own repairs or ship off to a pro? Heck, maybe some of you are pros!

Feedback (encouragement) welcome,
Mark

UNPLUG IT.

Open it up and look around. Check to see if the seizure is caused by a belt squeezed tight by a sheath.

Resist applying power until it is freed up.

[guitarnut]

Hi Dusty,

Yeah, I figured I'd settle down and cool off for a bit then put it up on the bench to take a look. It looks to me like the bottom pan would give me the best look inside...true? I seem to remember seeing an "inspection cover" on eBay. Is that the Shopsmith logo plate on the back side of the headstock? I think it had a spring latch on it...

All this tool drama is really gettin' in the way of my guitar building! I had such lofty plans for the long weekend.

Thanks again,
Mark

[dusty]

Hi Dusty,

Yeah, I figured I'd settle down and cool off for a bit then put it up on the bench to take a look. It looks to me like the bottom pan would give me the best look inside...true? I seem to remember seeing an "inspection cover" on eBay. Is that the Shopsmith logo plate on the back side of the headstock? I think it had a spring latch on it...

All this tool drama is really gettin' in the way of my guitar building! I had such lofty plans for the long weekend.

Thanks again,
Mark

What model Shopsmith are we talking about?

Belt cover is on the left end of the headstock (operator's viewpoint). It is held in place may sheet metal screws; number is variable depending on what model you have. Mine has only two.

[guitarnut]

Sorry, it's C-stock 500.

Thanks on the belt cover location, I'll give it a peek. I may post photos before I touch anything though.

I see that Jacob Anderson has a DVD set for rebuilding the headstock and motor...anyone have these? Comments? Gotta be worth $30 I would think just to have the knowledge for future tune ups/repairs.

Peace,
Mark

[fjimp]

I have Jacob Anderson s set of DVD's great knowledge, well presented. Yes they are worth the price. fjimp

[guitarnut]

Thanks fjimp, I think I'll order them regardless of how this episode turns out.

Well, here are some pics. I don't see anything that tells me what the problem is. It appears to have new belts just as the previous owner stated. Take a look...

www.crenshawweb.com/hs.htm

From day one the quill has felt a bit sloppy. Could a seized quill bearing cause a total shutdown?

I'm fearing motor trouble Seems the next step would be to remove the drive belt and see if the resitance is in the motor or the speed control. Yes?

Peace,
Mark

[fjimp]

Thanks fjimp, I think I'll order them regardless of how this episode turns out.

Well, here are some pics. I don't see anything that tells me what the problem is. It appears to have new belts just as the previous owner stated. Take a look...

www.crenshawweb.com/hs.htm

From day one the quill has felt a bit sloppy. Could a seized quill bearing cause a total shutdown?

I'm fearing motor trouble Seems the next step would be to remove the drive belt and see if the resitance is in the motor or the speed control. Yes?

Peace,
Mark

Mark,

Have you watched any of Nick's servicing or rebuilding Sawdust Sessions? While you are waiting for the DVD's that might be a good starting point. I would also see what Bill Mayo has to say. Jim "fjimp"

[curiousgeorge]

Mark,
When was the last time that machine was oiled? You need to watch the sawdust sessions on maintaining the MK5. The belts may be new, but I didn't see much evidence of it having been serviced otherwise.

[guitarnut]

The mighty Shopsmith lives!!! In one of the photos, you can't see it because I cropped them...I noticed that the speed control was off the scale to the fast end. I'm not sure how it happened, I must have bumped it when removing the saw tables. So, I gently cranked it back a few turns, heard a slight "thwop" sound and she is free as a bird. It's all rotating beautifully!

http://www.crenshawweb.com/hs06.jpg

I am so grateful to have this forum and the knowledge of those here as a resource. Many thanks to all who replied and got me tinkering. I was thinking about shipping the headstock to Jacob for a rebuild

So, tomorrow, I will be resawing some beautiful flame maple tops and profiling 3 guitar bodies as planned! I'm also going to order Jacob's DVDs.

Many, many thanks!

Peace,
Mark