Shopsmith Forums

Bruce wrote:Why isn't Shopsmith addressing this obvious design defect?

Insufficient 'noise' from the customers?

FWIW, I prefer the plastic idler wheel at the upper location when doing 'internal' sanding. The grit side rides against the plastic rather than the steel surface.

Bruce wrote:Why isn't Shopsmith addressing this obvious design defect?

I am probably the only one that has talked about this issue. I suspect any complaints Shopsmith has received are a minor issue to them - and I imagine Steel wheels are quite a bit more expensive and would considerably raise the cost of the machine.

I run my Strip Sander at 1350 RPM and use it HARD!! I have gone through 3 sets of plastic wheels. All have Started to wobble and the center, surrounding the brass bushing, widened (melted) so the sanding belt would no longer track consistently. This happened even though I used 2 drops of oil on the axle as directed by instructions. The friction between the steel axle (bolt) and the bushing was too much for the plastic.

Yes, I put a lot of stress on the idler wheels.

Not mentioned earlier - when sanding closed areas, the sand paper roughens the outside of the top idler enough to make it compromised for use in the lower idler position. This is not the case with the poly wheels.

Since ordering and buying the polyurethane idlers, (which have ball bearings) I can now sand and run the sander consistently for a couple hours until I tire.

I suppose the steel wheels, with ball bearings, on older sanders hold up very well. There is quite a price difference between plastic and the poly ones I purchased. Two replacement plastic wheels cost $29.60 plus shipping from Shopsmith. I paid $102 for the poly wheels. So I have eaten a cost equivalent to three more plastic ones. So far, I have out sanded what would have been more than 4 or 5 sets of plastic ones. AND I'm happy I made the more expensive choice/

The manual for my strip sander, as well as the Power Pro speed chart, have 2050 rpm as the maximum recommended speed for any operation. Operating at 3450 might explain the melted wheels.

Mike

Where did you get the Polly wheels?

Mike907 wrote:The manual for my strip sander, as well as the Power Pro speed chart, have 2050 rpm as the maximum recommended speed for any operation. Operating at 3450 might explain the melted wheels.

Mike

Didn't check but maybe that is why there are no complaints.

Mike907 wrote:The manual for my strip sander, as well as the Power Pro speed chart, have 2050 rpm as the maximum recommended speed for any operation. Operating at 3450 might explain the melted wheels.

Mike

My senior moment I use the button that says for all sanding. 1350 RPM. Not 3450. Don't know why I typed that sawin' number.

I'll correct my post - Thanks!

jsburger wrote:Where did you get the Polly wheels?

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/maint ... 3-s30.html

jsburger wrote:Where did you get the Polly wheels?

SUNRAY INC.
Polyurethane Products
3761 US 64-74A HWY
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
1-800-833-9960
Talked to a guy, Brian Toney and specified the size I wanted - 1.875" x 1.875"/ .8750" steel core. And the proper inside diameter to fit the shoulder bolt, sorry can't remember the size.

JPG wrote:

Bruce wrote:Why isn't Shopsmith addressing this obvious design defect?

Insufficient 'noise' from the customers?

FWIW, I prefer the plastic idler wheel at the upper location when doing 'internal' sanding. The grit side rides against the plastic rather than the steel surface.

Didn't the grit chew up the wheel? Mine did!

charlese wrote:

JPG wrote:

Bruce wrote:Why isn't Shopsmith addressing this obvious design defect?

Insufficient 'noise' from the customers?

FWIW, I prefer the plastic idler wheel at the upper location when doing 'internal' sanding. The grit side rides against the plastic rather than the steel surface.

Didn't the grit chew up the wheel? Mine did!

I consider the plastic wheel a sacrificial lamb that is preferable to the now unavailable steel wheel.

Haven't tried it but have been considering a wide rubber band on the plastic wheel(think bicycle innertube).