Speed dial resistance question

jayp413 · Post by **jayp413** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:39 pm

Hello everyone. I was running my Shopsmith today and noticed when turning the dial to lower the speed I felt some resistance. I was wondering what everyone felt was normal. Some or no resistance when dialing down the speed. Thanks for any input!

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:55 pm

When ya dial the speed down, do ya go slowly?

jayp413 · Post by **jayp413** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:04 pm

beeg wrote:When ya dial the speed down, do ya go slowly?

Yes very slow

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 9:36 pm

Since turning the speed dial down is causing the quadrant to press the control sheave narrower(squeezing the belt) some resistance should be felt.

When turning the speed dial up, the opposite occurs(the quadrant is allowing the control sheave to open up). Therefore it turns easier.

It is the squeezing that both requires the pulleys be turning and the reason for excessive wear and deformation of the speed control worm gear bracket and the teeth on the quadrant.

If the resistance is excessive, lubrication of the floating sheave(motor shaft) is indicated - also the control sheave to a lessor degree.

jayp413 · Post by **jayp413** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:00 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Since turning the speed dial down is causing the quadrant to press the control sheave narrower(squeezing the belt) some resistance should be felt.

When turning the speed dial up, the opposite occurs(the quadrant is allowing the control sheave to open up). Therefore it turns easier.

It is the squeezing that both requires the pulleys be turning and the reason for excessive wear and deformation of the speed control worm gear bracket and the teeth on the quadrant.

If the resistance is excessive, lubrication of the floating sheave(motor shaft) is indicated - also the control sheave to a lessor degree.

Thank you sir! I will do exactly that tommorow! I plan on taking the dial apart to clean it and check the gears as well. Glad to know there should be some resistance felt. It's not extreme, but just felt tighter then I felt it should. I'll report back the outcome!

jayp413 · Post by **jayp413** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 10:05 pm

Thanks everyone for the tips! Tonight I oiled the sheaves, removed and cleaned the speed dial and control assembly. The quadrant and worm control shaft were caked with what looks like a grease put on by the previous owner. With the best intentions I am sure. I cleaned both with a small tech screw driver, a rag and some W-D40 and they cleaned up very well. Then I hit them with some silicone lubricant. After that I did a high speed adjustment. It is dead on with fast, but stops at "b" just before slow. The speed dial turns very smooth now and I am a happy camper. The previous owner really took excellent care of this machine! You can tell he did the routine maintinance. The floating sheave had a marker line where the oil port was. That was very helpful.
I will try to post up some pictures for you tommorow. Thanks again for all of the info!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:02 am

jayp413 wrote:Thanks everyone for the tips! Tonight I oiled the sheaves, removed and cleaned the speed dial and control assembly. The quadrant and worm control shaft were caked with what looks like a grease put on by the previous owner. With the best intentions I am sure. I cleaned both with a small tech screw driver, a rag and some W-D40 and they cleaned up very well. Then I hit them with some silicone lubricant. After that I did a high speed adjustment. It is dead on with fast, but stops at "b" just before slow. The speed dial turns very smooth now and I am a happy camper. The previous owner really took excellent care of this machine! You can tell he did the routine maintinance. The floating sheave had a marker line where the oil port was. That was very helpful.
I will try to post up some pictures for you tommorow. Thanks again for all of the info!

Dead on is part of the procedure! The other stuff is adjusted, then the dial is set to fast.

If it stops at 'B" when turned down, the 'stuff' is not correct.

Either the belt was not out far enough on the pulley, or the screw is too far 'in'.

jayp413 · Post by **jayp413** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:49 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Dead on is part of the procedure! The other stuff is adjusted, then the dial is set to fast.

If it stops at 'B" when turned down, the 'stuff' is not correct.

Either the belt was not out far enough on the pulley, or the screw is too far 'in'.

I'll head back out and see what I can do to get it "dead on"

jayp413 · Post by **jayp413** » Sat Jul 30, 2011 3:25 pm

Here are a couple before and after pictures
All jammed up with grease and dust

All cleaned up

Everything looks alright