Idler shaft bearing on the Power Pro???

[thunderbirdbat]

I use Web Resizer to reduce the size of my photos. http://webresizer.com/resizer/

[rjent]

Sure wished I could sent you guys some pictures. I just don't know how to reduce their size for this website. Put blue locker on the bottom pulley set screw and let it set for 24 hours went through the different rpm ranges up to 3450 with no problem. Moved the rpms up to 9500 ran for five minutes and the idler shaft moved inward about a 1/4" and the bottom pulley moved toward the motor an 1/8". This power pro is really problematic. What I'm seeing here is that when the motor pulley moves in the idler shaft also moves inward. The motor pulley is not suppose to move anywhere. If anybody has any ideas on how to keep the motor pulley from moving please let me know. I've done the blue locker don't know what else to do. The movement of the motor pulley seems to be the main problem with the movement of the idler shaft.

I was having kind of the same problems. I replaced the motor pulley and after the shaft change, everything is rock solid now. I know you don't want to hear it LOL, but you might want to just replace the motor pulley. They are not that expensive....

JMHO

[godavid2]

Thanks, sounds like that is my next step. What is it with the motor pulley? It rides on the motor shaft and the set screw tightens to a key. I know why the guy got rid of the PP now. It was too problematic. He got rid of all his SS stuff. I will say I have learned a lot about the PP.

[rjent]

Thanks, sounds like that is my next step. What is it with the motor pulley? It rides on the motor shaft and the set screw tightens to a key. I know why the guy got rid of the PP now. It was too problematic. He got rid of all his SS stuff. I will say I have learned a lot about the PP.

The pulley is a pretty soft alloy. it doesn't take many "set screw un-fastenings" before the pulley get oblong in the shaft bore. My only theory and just experience so far.

The PP is a wonderful headstock when it works. I AM disappointed in it's seeming reliability issues. As far as Shopsmith equipment goes, I really wouldn't want to use anything else. If the PP wan't so powerful and quiet, I would get rid of it. I am not going to put up with many more failures though.....

[godavid2]

Found PP problem solving page on the Shopsmith website. Thanks Shopsmith Seems as though there is two sets screws one in front with the motor pulley and one in back under the black plastic cover. Will most likely replace the pulley key and both set screws and if that does not solve the problem will purchase a pulley.

[godavid2]

Thanks Dick, did you replace the set screw and key too?

[rjent]

Thanks Dick, did you replace the set screw and key too?

Actually, I did not. Didn't know about the other set screw. I will take the cover back off in a few days to check on things (on this maintenance free machine LOL) and will check that out.

Want to share the troubleshooting link?

[JPG]

Thanks Dick, did you replace the set screw and key too?

Actually, I did not. Didn't know about the other set screw. I will take the cover back off in a few days to check on things (on this maintenance free machine LOL) and will check that out.

Want to share the troubleshooting link?

Sometimes it is best to let sleeping dogs lie.

[godavid2]

Hey Dick, just type "Power Pro Problem Solving" in the search box in the SS website and it should bring it up. I took the back off and checked the set screw and it was tight. When you say shaft I take it you were referring too the idler shaft because the motor shaft behind the motor pulley has a snap ring too. I had stated before I was going to just purchase the set screw and key but will purchase the pulley first maybe both. The motor shaft key is different like everything else connect with the PP, thanks

roy

[DLB]

I'll provide the link because I want to make some comments about it:
https://www.shopsmith.com/mediawiki/ind ... em_Solving

As far as I can tell, and Dick mentioned this in the 'keeping score' thread, there is no good method for setting belt tension in a PowerPro. And that definitely includes this "Problem Solving" document despite a section called 'Setting the belt tension on the PowerPro.' The first step is: "a. Start with 2-turns of each tensioning setscrew near the motor pulley." Great. Any particular direction for those two turns? Any particular starting reference point? And there is no point in this procedure where they are adjusted again.

Then we have:
"c. Make sure the belt tension is balanced using the eccentric around the idler shaft.
d. When balancing the belt tension let your ears tell you when it is right. The top, shorter belt will usually feel tighter then the shorter, upper belt."
Underlined portion, aren't these the same belt? And, "usually?" Meaning, I presume, also okay if that is not the case.

Steps a, c, and d are the only content that impacts tension of the two belts. In "c," since you are using the eccentric, you are tightening one belt and loosening the other so that they are balanced by sound. Steps e thru h are not really steps but tell you symptoms of too loose and too tight. Nowhere does it give correct belt tension or how to achieve it. Obviously, the answer of how to achieve it is re-adjustment of the motor mount setscrews from step a, followed by re-balancing but I don't see how that helps without some reference to correct tension and without it being part of the procedure.

This procedure is supposed to be for setting the belt tension, according to its title. But it implies, correctly, that after following the procedure your belts may be too loose or too tight. Therefore, it is NOT a procedure for setting belt tension despite its title. Leaving one to wonder if excessive belt tightness contributes to some of the problems owners experience, in particular bearing failure and/or heat problems.

- David