Now I've Done It! Seized Up Headstock!

lv2wdwrk · Post by **lv2wdwrk** » Sat May 23, 2009 8:49 pm

curiousgeorge wrote: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.

I would follow George's suggestion before starting any serious work.

guitarnut · Post by **guitarnut** » Sat May 23, 2009 8:53 pm

curiousgeorge wrote: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.

Hi George, Bob. I'm not sure when it might have been serviced last. I have only had a month or so and the previous owner bought it at auction a couple of months before that. Is there info on servicing in the manual? Or, I can watch the SS videos. If not I will look into it when I get the DVDs.

Peace,
Mark

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat May 23, 2009 9:04 pm

Mark
Never move the speed control without having the machine running.
It sounds like you may be doing that.
It will cause the belt to get stuck and the motor will not come on.
More importantly can break things

guitarnut · Post by **guitarnut** » Sat May 23, 2009 9:20 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:Mark
Never move the speed control without having the machine running.
It sounds like you may be doing that.
It will cause the belt to get stuck and the motor will not come on.
More importantly can break things

Hi Ed.

Yeah, I knew it was a no, no.

Bad Mark!!!

But the belt was already wedged down between the sheeves and the motor wasn't coming on...so, I only moved it until I felt resistance...I didn't force it. The belt popped free and all is fine now. It's not something I would normally do.

Peace,
Mark

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat May 23, 2009 9:29 pm

guitarnut wrote: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

The speed control should not be able to be set that high. My guess is the it got set TOO high and the belt dropped down into the control sheave and got caught on one of the vanes.

To prevent a repeat performance, do a 'high speed adjustment'. It is included in the sawdust session below. The belt riding high on the motor sheave is also an indication of mis adjustment of the 'high speed limit'.

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

P.S. At the very least, put some oil in the hole on the control sheave shaft. #10 3 in one Do not be stingy, It looks very dry! The motor sheave oilling should also be done. at some time soon!

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Sun May 24, 2009 12:34 am

JPG40504 wrote:P.S. At the very least, put some oil in the hole on the control sheave shaft. #10 3 in one Do not be stingy, It looks very dry! The motor sheave oilling should also be done. at some time soon!

Yeah like clean and oil it BEFORE ya use it again.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sun May 24, 2009 2:12 am

Hi Mark! It may be my imagination, but in your photo, it looks like your drive belt is worn thin enough to replace. This thin belt may also have been the root cause of your high speed condition and the belt getting caught.

If you will remove your drive belt and check it's width and find it 15/32" or less - replace it with a new one. I know some folks have run narrower belts, but my machine starts making funny noises and new vibrations if the belt gets this worn.

Disclaimer: I think this minimum width measurement is correct. If not, will someone please correct me?

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sun May 24, 2009 4:09 am

charlese wrote:Hi Mark! It may be my imagination, but in your photo, it looks like your drive belt is worn thin enough to replace. This thin belt may also have been the root cause of your high speed condition and the belt getting caught.

If you will remove your drive belt and check it's width and find it 15/32" or less - replace it with a new one. I know some folks have run narrower belts, but my machine starts making funny noises and new vibrations if the belt gets this worn.

Disclaimer: I think this minimum width measurement is correct. If not, will someone please correct me?

If you came to this conclusion from looking at his pix(the one showing the power switch), I believe it just looks that way in that pix because part of the belt is in the shadow. I do not think it is worn excessively based on its appearence in the other pix.

15/32" may be too soon. I think(IMHO) that 7/16" is soon enough. It takes a LONG time and a lot of use to wear it down that much. Its age may be a factor to consider!

guitarnut · Post by **guitarnut** » Sun May 24, 2009 10:00 am

I just watched the Sawdust Session on Cleaning and Lubricating...looks like I have some work to do before I can get any "work" done. I also watched the one on doing a speed control calibration that JPG suggested.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS111/SS111_Mark_V_Maintenance.htm

Thanks for the tips.

Peace,
Mark

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sun May 24, 2009 2:35 pm

guitarnut wrote:I just watched the Sawdust Session on Cleaning and Lubricating...looks like I have some work to do before I can get any "work" done. I also watched the one on doing a speed control calibration that JPG suggested.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS111/SS111_Mark_V_Maintenance.htm

Thanks for the tips.

Peace,
Mark

Good show Mark we will all sleep better knowing you have serviced it. Tis not really a big deal and well worth the time invested. Jim