My PowerPro experience

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:28 pm

When I first upgraded to the PowerPro I got a refurb. headstock that had bandsaw operating problems and a lock-up on power up due to low shop temps. Shopsmith was aware of this low-temp. problem on a couple machines. Shopsmith asked me to pack up the headstock and send it back to them, which I did. They fixed the bandsaw problem, and couldn't replicate the power-up problem, and they shipped it back to me. I still had the Power-up problem in my shop, so they told me that they would swap it out for another headstock. I packed up my headstock again. They were prompt and professional and I was pleased. My new refurb. headstock arrived. It never has shown a power-up problem, regardless of the low temps, however, I quickly learned that it has the same bandsaw problem. Shimmy, shake, etc. In addition, it pops my GFI breakers. The old didn't (when it would start...) My bandsaw runs fine with my old headstock by the way. Anyhow, I am really pleased with all the other functions of the PowerPro; it's a great idea, but my bandsaw is going on it's own power stand cause I am really tired of shipping a headstock back to Shopsmith. I know that many of you will suggest that that is what I should do, and heck, I know that is what I should do, but I have too sour a taste in my mouth to deal with it right now. Sadly, if I had to do it over, I would not purchase a PowerPro again. I want to reiterate that Shopsmith customer service has been excellent and prompt in all my dealings with them, I just can't say the same about my PowerPro. I thought it was important to share my experience here. I want to point out that my experience does not imply that all PowerPro's have this problem, but evidently both that I got do. I am still a Shopsmith fan. Cheers, Alec

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:41 pm

So far I have used the belt sander,jointer and strip sander with the Power Pro and have no difficulties. I have NOT used the bandsaw as yet cause it is on it's own stand. This makes me want to try it with the Power Pro as a check. Probably in a couple of weeks.
Bill V

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 4:24 pm

Same here Bill, except I don't have a strip sander. Table saw, jointer, belt sander, all great with the PowerPro. Bandsaw... yuck.

nuhobby · Post by **nuhobby** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 4:38 pm

Thanks for your report. No need to apologize!

Since I always run my Bandsaw on a separate station, it's very possible my experience would be the same as yours if I ran it on my PowerPro. I have "opined" elsewhere on this forum that I think the PowerPro control-loop stability could be made more robust.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 4:52 pm

I don't know what the warranty says but it is important that you guys who have purchased this do know.

I also believe it is imperative for those of you with lingering problems to make sure that Shopsmith is aware and that you can confirm that some how months from now.

Warranties have conditions and expiration dates!

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 5:36 pm

dusty wrote:I don't know what the warranty says but it is important that you guys who have purchased this do know.

I also believe it is imperative for those of you with lingering problems to make sure that Shopsmith is aware and that you can confirm that some how months from now.

Warranties have conditions and expiration dates!

Yes... I want everybody to stay on top of these glitches and get them all cleared away so that if I decide that I want to buy one, maybe next year, that all bugs will be gone...

I had thought later this year but I have everything loose $$$ pretty well spoken for. The horse operation is paying back quickly but still takes a lot of investment since we are expanding it so much this spring and I refuse to do it with borrowed money. I refuse to do anything with borrowed money...
Danged wallet keeps going empty.

That's OK. I still have plenty to do without getting a new PP.

I will be overjoyed if I can just get half of what I have started finished. It is a good thing I retired...

.

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:10 pm

Dusty you're right of course. My Shopsmith is under warranty and the proper thing to do is let Shopsmith know that the unit they shipped me has a problem. I'm simply tired of doing just that. I have an empty power stand right now, and as soon as I pick up a pulley for my bandsaw it's going on it. Alec

horologist · Post by **horologist** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 6:46 pm

easterngray wrote:Dusty you're right of course. My Shopsmith is under warranty and the proper thing to do is let Shopsmith know that the unit they shipped me has a problem. I'm simply tired of doing just that. I have an empty power stand right now, and as soon as I pick up a pulley for my bandsaw it's going on it. Alec

Alec,
Cheer up, likely Wes will be able to talk you through changing the settings over the phone. I had the trouble with the disk sander and was able to get it all straightened out in a brief call. So far all is well, my bandsaw works beautifully.

Troy

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 8:06 pm

[quote="easterngray"]... I am really pleased with all the other functions of the PowerPro]

Hi Alec and others! Yes, I had a problem with my PowerPro when bandsawing. The problem occurred when turning tight (5/8") curves with a 1/4" blade. Also had problems when re-sawing 5" oak. In both cases when the blade got into a little bind, the PP would jump and bang. As reported earlier, sent it back to Shopsmith with a full page description of what I was not happy about. They kept the PP for a month (they found a pulsing issue they couldn't easily solve) and finally wound up replacing the entire interior guts. Even got a new control pad.

When the pulsing/jumping/banging still happened when bandsawing as above, I had more conversations with SS. These problems never occurred in their shop.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago. - Long story... I have 3 plastic couplers. Bought two replacements after the original went into the DC and got a little scarred. I have been using one of the new ones constantly with my old headstock - it worked perfectly. However------
When I was checking (by hand) for any play between the spindle and the axillary spindles, I came across a little noise. Continued rotating spindles and hubs back and forth listening and feeling for any play. FOUND IT!!!! All of the looseness (very little) was between the plastic coupler and the bandsaw hub. That particular coupler was very easy to put on and became my favorite. When I switched to either of the other two couplers, the bandsaw issues were solved.- ALMOST -

Now when I really torque on a bandsaw blade I can get the headstock to pulse and make noise. But I really have to twist that blade.

Moral - If there is a very small amount of looseness in the couplers or between them and the plastic coupler, the PowerPro will sense the play and react!!! I've also found that If I put the 3 1/2" face plate on the lower axillary spindle I can't get the bandsaw/PowerPro to act up at all!!:) I've further found the faceplate acts more as a load than a flywheel. If the faceplate comes loose at all --- be prepared for noise Big Time!

Another issue I've had with the repaired PP is I couldn't keep the lower aux spindle's bearings from creeping into the headstock. Man! I tightened the bolt through those two ears as much as I dared. (did this several times) Finally I moved the upper belt one notch (poly V) toward the outside of the headstock. I've run the headstock at 9500 RPM for one hour to test the location of those bearings - also ran it at 3450 for an hour with no bearing movement. So far after a few more hours, things are holding well.

The only other issue is one of over-revving at lower RPMs. When cold (around 45 degrees) for example, the machine will run at 500 RPM and slowly over half an hour it will gain speed to 1100. This is more of a curiosity than a problem, as any resistance on the spindle(s) will slow the rpms back to the set speed. Another eg., If I am drilling with a large Forstner bit - set at 250 RPM, as soon as the bit touches wood, it slows to 250.

O.K. I'll mention this anomaly -- While running the PowerPro for an hour at 9500 RPM a fairly loud rattle occurs from the upper part of the headstock. If, while the headstock is still running, I squeeze a rag around the spindle, the rattle stops! My assessment is the spindle bearings heat up and make a little noise. After cooling, there is absolutely no more play/rattle or whatever you want to call it. This has been tested several times.

P.S. I like the new control pad better than the older one. It's push buttons are raised like bubbles. The feel of the controls has been improved.

PP.SS. Jointer, Strip Sander, Belt Sander all perform very well with the PowerPro - even with the loose coupler! Sawing and drilling are superb!

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Tue Mar 01, 2011 8:17 pm

Charlese that's most encouraging. I will examine my coupler hubs and also try another coupler. Thanks a bunch! Alec

ps - I like the new control panel better too!