I have a Mark V that uses the Gilmer bealts and am looking for an alternate source other than shopsmith. I have a belt on order but its been over a month now and no sign they will get them soon. Mean while the device
is just taking space in my shop.
has any one found alternate sorces other than ebay.
Any info would be appreciated
Thanks
Replacement belts
Moderator: admin
Send BillMayo a private message...he may have one in stock. The Gilmar and PolyV belts are only supplied by Shopsmith. All Shopsmith owners and repair shops (they get no discount) have to buy the Gilmar and PolyV belts from Shopsmith.
Dave - Idaho
Greenie S#261612 - Mar 1954 / Greenie S#305336 - Oct 1955 / Gray S#SS1360 - ?
"Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?"
Greenie S#261612 - Mar 1954 / Greenie S#305336 - Oct 1955 / Gray S#SS1360 - ?
"Why do we drive on parkways and park on driveways?"
What happen to your Gilmer belt? A picture would be nice. Many times just replacing the Gilmer belt does not get rid of the original problem that caused the belt to fail (stuck clutch, slipping clutch, misaligned pulleys, loose Drive Sleeve set screw).
Gilmer belts are very wear sensitive to alignment of the Gilmer pulleys. Does your headstock have eccentric bushing alignment clips that is held by the eccentric bushing bolt (early Greenies)? I can rebuild and test the Gilmer clutch for proper torque which is located inside the Gilmer pulley on the Drive Sleeve Assembly.
Gilmer belts are very wear sensitive to alignment of the Gilmer pulleys. Does your headstock have eccentric bushing alignment clips that is held by the eccentric bushing bolt (early Greenies)? I can rebuild and test the Gilmer clutch for proper torque which is located inside the Gilmer pulley on the Drive Sleeve Assembly.
Bill Mayo bill.mayo@verizon.net
Shopsmith owner since 73. Sell, repair and rebuild Shopsmith, Total Shop & Wood Master headstocks, SPTs, attachments, accessories and parts. US Navy 1955-1975 (FTCS/E-8)
Shopsmith owner since 73. Sell, repair and rebuild Shopsmith, Total Shop & Wood Master headstocks, SPTs, attachments, accessories and parts. US Navy 1955-1975 (FTCS/E-8)
Bill,
It broke--I don't need to send pictures ---I could send the belt ?
I have another very old headstock with the belt in place that I've considered
transferring but it is stress cracked and would probably not withstand the
transfer. or last that long once transferred.
But this brings up a larger question in my mind---I bought mine for a very specific purpose based on the strong following and reputation (almost cult like).
However my first experience with trying to obtain replacement parts is causing me to rethink this. I need a belt for my current head stock and I will eventually need one for the old unit when I get around to restoring it. The device would certainly meet the requirements I have for it assuming I can get the replacement parts that the Shopsmith site advertises.
The first response (S.S) was mid december for the belt now we're looking end of december(maybe?). The order date was early november. Needless to say If I were using this for any kind of production work I'd be (you know where)
Thanks for responding
It broke--I don't need to send pictures ---I could send the belt ?
I have another very old headstock with the belt in place that I've considered
transferring but it is stress cracked and would probably not withstand the
transfer. or last that long once transferred.
But this brings up a larger question in my mind---I bought mine for a very specific purpose based on the strong following and reputation (almost cult like).
However my first experience with trying to obtain replacement parts is causing me to rethink this. I need a belt for my current head stock and I will eventually need one for the old unit when I get around to restoring it. The device would certainly meet the requirements I have for it assuming I can get the replacement parts that the Shopsmith site advertises.
The first response (S.S) was mid december for the belt now we're looking end of december(maybe?). The order date was early november. Needless to say If I were using this for any kind of production work I'd be (you know where)
Thanks for responding
broken belt
Bill
Also, the unit was functioning (what I would consider normally) prior.
I think it was simply (old / fatigued) and broke. unfortunately belts and the like don't last forever. I do understand the mechanics of the unit and appreciate your willingness to help there. I think it is nothing more than the belt needing to be replaced. It is frustrating for me to not be able to get the parts when they are advertised on the site and there was no obvious sign
of back order conditions. For something like a belt E-bay is not a good option.
Thanks
JR
Also, the unit was functioning (what I would consider normally) prior.
I think it was simply (old / fatigued) and broke. unfortunately belts and the like don't last forever. I do understand the mechanics of the unit and appreciate your willingness to help there. I think it is nothing more than the belt needing to be replaced. It is frustrating for me to not be able to get the parts when they are advertised on the site and there was no obvious sign
of back order conditions. For something like a belt E-bay is not a good option.
Thanks
JR
I find that a can of belt conditioner used on the belts when doing the lubrication (Zoom Sprout Turbine Oil) of the headstock will keep most belts operating for many years (20-30 years for me). Knowing that most companies are really struggling to stay in business these days, I would recommend ordering the few parts that may need replacement, like belts, and store them inside out with belt conditioner on them in a plastic sealed bag.
Please contact me off-line if you have a problem with a part not available or on long back order from Shopsmith. Shopsmith parts/items are unique to Shopsmith so using any other brand/make of part/item should be a temporay solution until a new part/item can be obtained from Shopsmith. They need the business right now so they can continue to meet our needs. In a few cases, a used part/item may all that is available.
I have had several headstocks that operated for 30 or more years without any problems. A good lubrication and belt adjustment every so often will keep almost any Shopsmith headstock operating trouble free for many years. I find that by listening, feeling and seeing the headstock operate will let you know when a problem is starting to occur. I find that just rotating the quill by hand after a day or so of use can tell me if there is an internal problem starting to occur. My soap box for today.
Please contact me off-line if you have a problem with a part not available or on long back order from Shopsmith. Shopsmith parts/items are unique to Shopsmith so using any other brand/make of part/item should be a temporay solution until a new part/item can be obtained from Shopsmith. They need the business right now so they can continue to meet our needs. In a few cases, a used part/item may all that is available.
I have had several headstocks that operated for 30 or more years without any problems. A good lubrication and belt adjustment every so often will keep almost any Shopsmith headstock operating trouble free for many years. I find that by listening, feeling and seeing the headstock operate will let you know when a problem is starting to occur. I find that just rotating the quill by hand after a day or so of use can tell me if there is an internal problem starting to occur. My soap box for today.
jrough wrote:Bill
Also, the unit was functioning (what I would consider normally) prior.
I think it was simply (old / fatigued) and broke. unfortunately belts and the like don't last forever. I do understand the mechanics of the unit and appreciate your willingness to help there. I think it is nothing more than the belt needing to be replaced. It is frustrating for me to not be able to get the parts when they are advertised on the site and there was no obvious sign
of back order conditions. For something like a belt E-bay is not a good option.
Thanks
JR
Bill Mayo bill.mayo@verizon.net
Shopsmith owner since 73. Sell, repair and rebuild Shopsmith, Total Shop & Wood Master headstocks, SPTs, attachments, accessories and parts. US Navy 1955-1975 (FTCS/E-8)
Shopsmith owner since 73. Sell, repair and rebuild Shopsmith, Total Shop & Wood Master headstocks, SPTs, attachments, accessories and parts. US Navy 1955-1975 (FTCS/E-8)
Belts
Bill,
Thanks for the input and I may contact you. I will give S.S
till early Jan. to honor their committment after that though I will not have much of a choice. I will either have to obtain alternate parts or modify the unit to be compatable with available parts or sell it for parts.
Since S.S doesn't make the belts themselves they must have a supplier
It is possible the belt has a proprietary pitch and diameter but that design is not unique so it is definitely worth looking for an alternate supplier. My guess is there is something available you just have to locate it. This has been the case with many of the other shop equipment I have.
Try finding replacement drive sprockets for a 1930's Pratt stud lathe.
It took 6 months but I have several reasonable options now.
I don't know the age of my unit guess I could look it up but it is not the green version. I think the issue was where the original owner stored it, outside in an uncontrolled shed. The belt in cross section was heavily rusted so the tensile strength was probably not at optimum and It broke.
Oh whell we'll see if S.S comes across if not we move to plan "B"
Apreciate your help .
JR.
Thanks for the input and I may contact you. I will give S.S
till early Jan. to honor their committment after that though I will not have much of a choice. I will either have to obtain alternate parts or modify the unit to be compatable with available parts or sell it for parts.
Since S.S doesn't make the belts themselves they must have a supplier
It is possible the belt has a proprietary pitch and diameter but that design is not unique so it is definitely worth looking for an alternate supplier. My guess is there is something available you just have to locate it. This has been the case with many of the other shop equipment I have.
Try finding replacement drive sprockets for a 1930's Pratt stud lathe.
It took 6 months but I have several reasonable options now.
I don't know the age of my unit guess I could look it up but it is not the green version. I think the issue was where the original owner stored it, outside in an uncontrolled shed. The belt in cross section was heavily rusted so the tensile strength was probably not at optimum and It broke.
Oh whell we'll see if S.S comes across if not we move to plan "B"
Apreciate your help .
JR.
-
bikersmurf
- Silver Member
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:26 pm
Shopsmith must buy them from someone, but can we?
The first place I'd look would be:
http://www.goodallonline.com/catalogue.htm
Yeah I Know it's a Canadian company but the local shop here can get you just about anything bearing or rubber related. It might be a dead end but it's where I'd look first. (and other companies like it)
Good luck
http://www.goodallonline.com/catalogue.htm
Yeah I Know it's a Canadian company but the local shop here can get you just about anything bearing or rubber related. It might be a dead end but it's where I'd look first. (and other companies like it)
Good luck