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Just finished cutting 60 - 5/8" oak plugs and then cutting them free with my new PowerPro headstock. Not a single burn on the plugs with the plug cutter. Bandsaw runs like a champ. The most evident difference though is how quiet everything runs. Only the table saw generates much noise and even that is noticibly quieter than my original MarkV headstock No rattles, no knocks, and no complaints.

tenbears wrote:Just finished cutting 60 - 5/8" oak plugs and then cutting them free with my new PowerPro headstock. Not a single burn on the plugs with the plug cutter. Bandsaw runs like a champ. The most evident difference though is how quiet everything runs. Only the table saw generates much noise and even that is noticibly quieter than my original MarkV headstock No rattles, no knocks, and no complaints.

10bears, is your Powerpro headstock a factory built or DIY?

Have had my PowerPro now for about a year. From the get go I noticed a strange noise coming from the Idler shaft area. Called and talked with Wes and he walked me through adjusting the Ecsentric bearing - and it sort of quited down. Still not happy with the noise since I was sold on the fact that these new power plants were supposed to be quite. After several months - decided I was concerned with this noise so I recorded the noise and sent Customer Service an e-mail. They asked me to do some additional checking, removing bottom pans etc. and noise got louder. While on the phone with customer service - I held the phone up so they could hear the noise and sure enough- they now were convinced there seemed to be a problem. Said it was either a bearing or idler shaft. Made arrangements to send the unit back via Fedex - at Shop Smiths expense under Warrenty. They sent me box, label etc. Fedex lost the unit in transit:mad: : - thus it was undeliverable - Carton was empy mid way in shipment. Shopsmit stepped up to the bar and sent me a brand new PowerPro - within a week and filed a claim against Fedex. Received the new power head today - tried it out and now I am satisfied - the new replacement Powerpro runs like a top - quite, smooth and performes every bit as expected - wow. I can't compliment Customer Service enougn for their quick action and help with this problem - especially Linda in Customer Service who worked with me through this entire ordeal.

johnheyd wrote:Have had my PowerPro now for about a year. From the get go I noticed a strange noise coming from the Idler shaft area. Called and talked with Wes and he walked me through adjusting the Ecsentric bearing - and it sort of quited down. Still not happy with the noise since I was sold on the fact that these new power plants were supposed to be quite. After several months - decided I was concerned with this noise so I recorded the noise and sent Customer Service an e-mail. They asked me to do some additional checking, removing bottom pans etc. and noise got louder. While on the phone with customer service - I held the phone up so they could hear the noise and sure enough- they now were convinced there seemed to be a problem. Said it was either a bearing or idler shaft. Made arrangements to send the unit back via Fedex - at Shop Smiths expense under Warrenty. They sent me box, label etc. Fedex lost the unit in transit:mad: : - thus it was undeliverable - Carton was empy mid way in shipment. Shopsmit stepped up to the bar and sent me a brand new PowerPro - within a week and filed a claim against Fedex. Received the new power head today - tried it out and now I am satisfied - the new replacement Powerpro runs like a top - quite, smooth and performes every bit as expected - wow. I can't compliment Customer Service enougn for their quick action and help with this problem - especially Linda in Customer Service who worked with me through this entire ordeal.

Wonder what the 'thief' will do with the funky headstock?:D

Damn fool oughta been smart enough to realize it was a defective return!!!

Well, only a bearing might have been bad, all the good stuff might have been in good operating order.

dusty wrote:Again, I don't know for certain, but I would be willing to bet that parts is the pacing factor and not in house manufacturing time.

Well - not all parts are in short supply. Last Wednesday 3:00PM Pacific time I called (left a message) and e-mailed Wes and Jim about a part that broke on my PowerPro headstock. Wes e-mailed me back the next morning. A replacement part is on track to be shipped to me same day. Because I asked for SS to include a belt in the box, it didn't get shipped 'till Friday. I will receive it from FedEx on this Thursday.

Pretty darned good service - no parts shortage here. The broken part is a major contributer to the running of the PowerPro. Won't tell what it is here - will tell the story in another post later - when installed.

charlese wrote:Wes - not all parts are in short supply. Last Wednesday 3:00PM Pacific time I called (left a message) and e-mailed Wes and Jim about a part that broke on my PowerPro headstock. Wes e-mailed me back the next morning. A replacement part is on track to be shipped to me same day. Because I asked for SS to include a belt in the box, it didn't get shipped 'till Friday. I will receive it from FedEx on this Thursday.

Pretty darned good service - no parts shortage here. The broken part is a major contributer to the running of the PowerPro. Won't tell what it is here - will tell the story in another post later - when installed.

Maybe that is the case today. My comment was made nearly a year ago.