Shopsmith Forums

billmayo wrote:

calvin wrote:JPG:

Good idea, I will definitely keep the gilmer hub. I have 2 spare control sheaves so maybe I can sacrifice one for a new idler sheave.

As for the idler shaft itself, it's in fine condition but the bearings are shot (feels "bumpy" when I spin the shaft, with lots of resistance). Since it's a single part, I assumed I couldn't fix it beyond buying a replacement.

I wouldn't be against trying to custom fit some standard bearings on it and cutting the idler shaft's bearings off and widening the eccentric bushing to fit. Problem is I don't have anything for metal work. Closest thing is a standalone crappy drill press.

ERLover:

Thanks for the PM and the reply here, I will follow up with Bill about the parts.

Bill:

I'll shoot you an e-mail today after work! Thanks and hope your recovery is going well.

I never found any bearings that would work with the idler shaft. I recommend replacing the idler shaft if you feel any bearing problems. I spin the idler shaft bearing up to 10,000 RPMs for a few minutes to test it before using any used ones.

jsburger wrote:

billmayo wrote:

calvin wrote:JPG:

Good idea, I will definitely keep the gilmer hub. I have 2 spare control sheaves so maybe I can sacrifice one for a new idler sheave.

As for the idler shaft itself, it's in fine condition but the bearings are shot (feels "bumpy" when I spin the shaft, with lots of resistance). Since it's a single part, I assumed I couldn't fix it beyond buying a replacement.

I wouldn't be against trying to custom fit some standard bearings on it and cutting the idler shaft's bearings off and widening the eccentric bushing to fit. Problem is I don't have anything for metal work. Closest thing is a standalone crappy drill press.

ERLover:

Thanks for the PM and the reply here, I will follow up with Bill about the parts.

Bill:

I'll shoot you an e-mail today after work! Thanks and hope your recovery is going well.

I never found any bearings that would work with the idler shaft. I recommend replacing the idler shaft if you feel any bearing problems. I spin the idler shaft bearing up to 10,000 RPMs for a few minutes to test it before using any used ones.

Hi Bill,

First, I have know knowlege of this.

Please explain. Why have you not found a bearing? Do they not have a P/N or manufacture name on the bearing? Are they so proprietary to SS that they can not be identified. Measuring?

jsburger wrote:

billmayo wrote:

calvin wrote:JPG:

Good idea, I will definitely keep the gilmer hub. I have 2 spare control sheaves so maybe I can sacrifice one for a new idler sheave.

As for the idler shaft itself, it's in fine condition but the bearings are shot (feels "bumpy" when I spin the shaft, with lots of resistance). Since it's a single part, I assumed I couldn't fix it beyond buying a replacement.

I wouldn't be against trying to custom fit some standard bearings on it and cutting the idler shaft's bearings off and widening the eccentric bushing to fit. Problem is I don't have anything for metal work. Closest thing is a standalone crappy drill press.

ERLover:

Thanks for the PM and the reply here, I will follow up with Bill about the parts.

Bill:

I'll shoot you an e-mail today after work! Thanks and hope your recovery is going well.

I never found any bearings that would work with the idler shaft. I recommend replacing the idler shaft if you feel any bearing problems. I spin the idler shaft bearing up to 10,000 RPMs for a few minutes to test it before using any used ones.

Hi Bill,

First, I have know knowlege of this.

Please explain. Why have you not found a bearing? Do they not have a P/N or manufacture name on the bearing? Are they so proprietary to SS that they can not be identified. Measuring?

benmcn wrote:I just bought a brand new, after market "old style" idler shaft with water pump bearings from a seller on EBay for my model 500 Shopsmith with the poly v belt drive system. It looks like, fits like, and functions like the original. It looks like that seller has found a source for the water pump style bearing. He claims it will work in any year Mark V from 1953 and up.

billmayo wrote:

benmcn wrote:I just bought a brand new, after market "old style" idler shaft with water pump bearings from a seller on EBay for my model 500 Shopsmith with the poly v belt drive system. It looks like, fits like, and functions like the original. It looks like that seller has found a source for the water pump style bearing. He claims it will work in any year Mark V from 1953 and up.

Yes, I have brought and used this idler shaft from the same Ebay seller. He has many Shopsmith products, all of which I have used with excellent success. I have only used this idler shaft in the Mark V headstock, not the latest Mark 7. I highly recommend this seller as we have communicated for years on what Shopsmith items I was looking for. He has available 13 rib Mark VII (1960s) Poly-V belts now.

jsburger wrote:

billmayo wrote:

benmcn wrote:I just bought a brand new, after market "old style" idler shaft with water pump bearings from a seller on EBay for my model 500 Shopsmith with the poly v belt drive system. It looks like, fits like, and functions like the original. It looks like that seller has found a source for the water pump style bearing. He claims it will work in any year Mark V from 1953 and up.

Yes, I have brought and used this idler shaft from the same Ebay seller. He has many Shopsmith products, all of which I have used with excellent success. I have only used this idler shaft in the Mark V headstock, not the latest Mark 7. I highly recommend this seller as we have communicated for years on what Shopsmith items I was looking for. He has available 13 rib Mark VII (1960s) Poly-V belts now.

Did I miss something? Who is this seller?

WHAT! WHERE! WHEN!