Noisey Power Pro Headstock

[DLB]

Bill V's post reminded me of this: The fan is also held on to the motor shaft (other end of the motor) by another setscrew, so another potential source of the noise. I don't know if this shaft is keyed. IIRC there is a recommendation somewhere on the SS website that if a user needs to loc-tite his motor pulley setscrew he should also loc-tite this one. With the motor pan out of the way, you should see a fan cover on the end opposite the pulley, I don't recall how it comes off but I think it is obvious when you look at it. It is a good idea to clean under this with compressed air while the cover is off, there is an optical sensor (RPM, IIRC) that is sensitive to sawdust.

My other post that you asked about: This was about how closely the RPM measured and displayed on the PowerPro tracked the RPM setting. Overshoot and Undershoot are normal, especially at low RPM so 'excessive' would be subjective.

- David

[hfmann]

Thanks David,

Looks like there is a fan inside a black cover at the right side of the motor. Good to know.

I'll tell what I've found so far in another post.

thanks,

hal

[hfmann]

ok here's an update:

Got the belt cover and pan off. All belts seem tight.
I ran the machine at 500 rpm and made three very short recordings (26, 28, and 6 seconds). From what I can tell the sounds seems to come from the top pulley area.
https://youtu.be/XDMdwdBkCTY
https://youtu.be/72p6gf61R4I
https://youtu.be/nj9uW9nhIr4

I can get an allen wrench into the hole where the set screw is on the bottom pulley but can't figure (Geesh. NEVER MIND that). I just went back out to check if a longer allen wrench would seat in the set screw which I assumed was so far below the rim I couldn't see it. AND then wondered if there really was no set screw there at all. Sure enough, I found it in a blanket I set underneath the machine. So......

I can't see any possible way to get this long setscrew in and get the pulley situated over the flat of the motor shaft without taking the belts off. And how do I do that?

I'm beginning to think I need to take the headstock off the machine and do the work on a bench.

The user manual talks about balancing the belt tension while the motor is running at 3450. It seems pretty dicey to work with screwdrivers, etc. near belts and motors spinning that fast. A kevlar vest seems like a good thing to have.

This is turning out to be way more complicated than I expected. But I suspect is doable without any fancy, high tech tools (I'm hoping). I'm glad I found something wrong that might explain the overall problem. Bill V told me about his motor pulley setscrew that came out several times and that caused me to reinvestigate. Thanks again Bill.

hal

[Chad]

This might help:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCLkH6T1uQE[/youtube]

Start @ 1:24:47 of the video.

I know it's the assembly process, but if you can watch it and think about it in reverse, it might give you what you need to get the belts off. Also reversing the table in the carriage is a great idea for using the main table as a work platform for un-mounting and re-mounting the motor.

Next:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCLkH6T1uQE[/youtube]

Start @ 55:50 of the video.

This will show how to install the drive sleeve, quill, idler shaft, and the poly V-belt. Again, think of the process in reverse.

[hfmann]

Thanks Chad,

Appreciate it. I think this will be very helpful and probably give me a better understanding of what's going on "under the hood." Looks like I'll be tied up until the 1st of the month before I can spend much more time on this project. This video will be top of the list.

Thanks again,

hal

[Chad]

I wish there was a better video of how to take a Power Pro headstock apart, Hal. If there is one out on the internet; I don't know of it, yet. Perhaps Jim McCann will shoot one, eventually.

[DLB]

I can't see any possible way to get this long setscrew in and get the pulley situated over the flat of the motor shaft without taking the belts off. And how do I do that?

The video will help you to better understand this: I don't think you need the upper belt off at all, which is a blessing. To take the lower belt off I would put the machine in drill press position, with the belt cover and motor pan still off, so you are not fighting the weight of the motor. I'd then remove the motor mount screws other than the top (top in DP position) two, one front one back. You may need to loosen those screws slightly but leave them in, they will act like a hinge for the motor. Pull the bottom of the motor to the left to put slack in the lower belt, lift the belt over the pulley and let the motor back down. After you resolve the issue you will need to tension and align the lower belt and then balance the belts per the manual. If you have any problems ask away, several of us have gone the DIY route and are familiar with what is needed.

That is the short version of the reverse of the DIY install. Be mindful of wire routing and try not to disturb the wiring any more than necessary. Some folks have caused a connector to disconnect, which then causes further disassembly and reassembly. Things are packed pretty tight in there. I wish I could tell you how to evaluate the condition of the pulley so you only have to do this once, but other than extreme damage I don't know exactly what to look for.

- David

[hfmann]

Hey David,

That's certainly an interesting approach. I'll have to give that a lot of thought. Really appreciate you sharing it. What I'm most fearful of is causing some serious damage to the machine. I sure like the idea of not having to take the headstock off. This way sounds like it might save a lot of time.

I'm finding myself upset that I've got to do this. I'd much rather be cutting and turning wood. On the other hand, if I had to send the unit somewhere to be fixed, that'd take a lot more time. Probably

Thanks,

hal

[DLB]

You might be able to remove the belt by following the Motor Belt Tensioning section in your manual, loosening the belt tension as much as needed for removal. Setup is similar. I don't know that it will loosen enough for removal though. If you try that please let us know if it worked for you. The steps I listed in previous post are based on how we put the belt and motor in during the DIY install, so I know it is enough for removal.

Neither procedure is as hard to do as a detailed description makes it sound. If it makes you more comfortable to have a safety net while those screws are loose just take your main table all the way out while it is in the 90 degree drill press position and reinstall it in the carriage from the back side. Put something on it to protect it and you have a worktable under the motor. This also comes from the DIY instructions and that Jim McCann video, where the table holds the weight of the motor while you line up the mounting screws.

- David

[hfmann]

David,

Your words are encouraging and I think I'll try your Drill Press approach after watching the video. I definitely like the "safety net" technique by using the main table underneath the motor.

Hoping I can get to this before the weekend. Appreciate all the guidance and encouragement. I imagine all of this becomes more comfortable and efficient once done a time or two.

Thanks.

hal