Shopsmith Forums

RFGuy wrote:There is an alternative that uses newer controls, etc. from Striatech:

https://www.smartdigitalmotor.com/home

Last I heard, Nova had stopped selling to him and he was looking for an alternate source of supply.

rpd wrote:

RFGuy wrote:There is an alternative that uses newer controls, etc. from Striatech:

https://www.smartdigitalmotor.com/home

Last I heard, Nova had stopped selling to him and he was looking for an alternate source of supply.

Thanks. Yeah, I wondered how it would all shake out...legally speaking.

I am not trying to spark a whole new PowerPro discussion again on the forum, but I do wish there were more choices available. I would prefer to buy directly from Shopsmith, but this design hasn't changed in like 10 years. I have no desire to go to 10,000 RPM on my Mark V, since I don't intend to use it as a shaper. I know there were overheating issues in the past with the higher speed range...maybe they were solved? However, I would prefer to go lower in RPM for Forstner bit drilling and turning larger bowl blanks. This alternative had the option of going down to 50RPM which is nice. It should be pretty easy in the PowerPro firmware to give customers the option of doing 50-5500RPM instead of 250-10,000RPM, but this isn't available. Also reaching under the table to find and press those small membrane switches seems less than ideal to me. I tested one at a Lowes Demo last year so I have a small amount of experience with the PowerPro controls. All of the Nova, Striatech and Rikon DVR options have nice controls (minus the membrane switches) with an Analog knob to adjust speed as well. I know Shopsmith has limited resources, but I wish they would embrace the PowerPro a bit more. It would be good to have more options available to customers for things like this, e.g. new controls, but also why not sell the replacement parts directly on the website for customers who can diagnose and repair their PowerPro on their own? What about adding a cooling fan w/filter to the PowerPro headstock as several on FB indicate is necessary to prevent dust getting in and messing up the stator position sensor of the PowerPro? Sorry, rant over. Hopefully these will be interpreted as "wishes" for how how to make the PowerPro a more compelling item for some of us to finally buy...

I know swapping the Mark V motor for a treadmill DC motor is an option too, but just not one that I have the time to take on yet, but I do applaud those who have succeeded at this and posted on FB about it.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/shopsmi ... 266061325/

What I'm wondering is why not buy direct from StriaTech because you get the motor and control board for $700 + shipping. The SS would run cooler because there is more air space with no power source. I like it. It looks like it runs at less rpms than the original PP. I don't know looks like I have to do some more research.

godavid2 wrote:What I'm wondering is why not buy direct from StriaTech because you get the motor and control board for $700 + shipping. The SS would run cooler because there is more air space with no power source. I like it. It looks like it runs at less rpms than the original PP. I don't know looks like I have to do some more research.

So, Striatech sells basically the exact same motor, but newer, larger control/power supply box for around $500. The problem is you have to make your own motor mounts for it, which can be done. You also need to figure out some way to attach the control box to the headstock. The PowerPro alternative had done all this as a standalone kit or a service, but if he can't buy directly from Striatech anymore, then he has been shut down. Of course, the PowerPro upgrade has more mechanical updates (new quill, idler shaft, etc.) as well, so it isn't just the motor that is different.

Back to the OP's complaint:

Twice in the last 10 years I had a similar spell on my PP where some buttons did not work. In both cases I got a recovery (without disassembling the unit):

- Fully turn off the power.
- Rap your fingers all over the control pad with moderate pressure.
- Also grasp the control-"pod" and lightly twist it left and right.
- Turn on power again and see what happens. It worked for me! Sure beats taking the guts out and getting to the control cables....

- Chris

Also the motor mounts need to consider because they are designed especially for SS. Boy it would really be nice if SS did offer an updated control box for the PP where the power source and control box sat on the outside of the PP. That would be awesome and it was also bring down the cost of replacing parts for the PP.

Thanks Chris, tried your suggestions no go. One thing that I learned at the Woodworker's guild is that you need an emergency shut off that one can hit with their knees and the guy at smartdigitalmotor.com had one. Very good for safety.

RFGuy wrote:There is an alternative that uses newer controls, etc. from Striatech:

https://www.smartdigitalmotor.com/home

Very interesting. So they sell a full upgrade. I wonder if their control panel is a drop in replacement for the SS Power Pro panel. If Striatech is using the same power supply module as the Power Pro I would think it would work. They don't list separate prices however.

I don't know for certain but I think the power supply is in the control box. Maybe someone could correct me on the point. Got to remember there is a lots of stuff with nano technology now.

Someone brought up the point that in ten years SS has not upgraded the PP so is it time? In today's world companies in order to stay competitive are constantly upgrading their products. Just thinking out loud.