Shopsmith Forums

ny

robinson46176 wrote:I almost never turn any of mine all of the way down when shutting them off. I do however often slow them down part way if I am done and I have had any of them cranked up pretty high. Just dropping a letter or two makes a big difference in start-up if I am in the upper ranges.
I have never really had any starting issues.
On a somewhat related side note, While all wiring in my basement shop is #12 I do find a need from time to time to use an extension cord. Usually about 6' is plenty and I found long ago that the best way to deal with it is to buy extra-heavy-duty Air conditioner extension cords...
I've not had any SS power cords need to be replaced on the ones I use and most of the time the cord is long enough by itself but when I do replace them I will use #12 cords and make them about 4 feet longer.


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I use 12' #12 extension cord as a source for cords.



Anybody need an extension cord socket end?:D

Kind of makes the Power Pro more attractive. The "start" and then "Confirm" functions avoids the overspeed startup concern.
Bill V

ai-yo wrote:Hi, I'm new to Shopsmith.
section:[INDENT]Caution: Never turn the speed dial when the Mark V is stopped. You could damage the speed changing mechanism. Always turn the speed to “Slow” before turning off the machine.[/INDENT] Thanks!

I have looked but this is the first time seeing this warning. After I burned out the second switch and sent in a complaint to SS, their reply was to always start on a low speed which implies "slow it down when done".
Now have a PowerPro so problem solved. Now if I can get rid of the interference...
Dan

Since this subject is again raising its head(seems to thrive indefinately), I shall summarize the what/whyfore/history.

Back in the old days(mid 20th century) most residential abodes had wiring reminiscent of the first half of said century(and older). That is to say under powered. Small wiring that ran way too many places, and fuse boxes.

The model 10E was introduced with a 1/2 hp motor being the norm. Using a time delay fuse was the SS recommendation at that time.

Since a standard '10' had three step pulleys, a reduce the speed before turning off instruction was absurd.

Along comes a tool with a 3/4hp motor that sucks amps when starting. When set to a high speed setting, said sucking duration is greatly extended. All that sucking is not good for the fuse/wiring/motor(to say nothing of suddenly being in de dark nor the excessive salty language emanating from the room where one's spouse is suddenly trying to cook in de dark!).

Soooo the word from SS was to use a time delay fuse, and ALWAYS DROP SPEED TO SLOW BEFORE TURNING OFF.

About a decade later a larger 1 1/8hp version was introduced. The 'word' was again the same, time delay fuse and slow down etc. But now is added the recommendation to use it on a dedicated branch.

Tangent Alert!
About this time abodes were being wired with fewer load points on a branch circuit and circuit breakers were coming into use. Somebody had a mind flash where they surmised that many abodes were being set afire by the common use of pennies in the bottom of the fuse socket. At first fuses with mechanical differences were used that precluded using the wrong size fuse. With breakers, the 'overcurrent' device became 'non user replaceable'.

Back to de trunk.
Now the word from SS was to use a delay breaker. Keep in mind 15A branch circuits were the norm. Still a good idea.

Since then 20A branch circuits became more common and dedicated 20A branches to places like a garage were also.

SS still espouses the slow down mantra.

With the addition of additional SPTs over the years, the advice takes on a newer reason for being. The bandsaw starting at saw/joint speed setting a prime example.

Only thee knows whether the original reason(low house power) is still relevant.

That said most of us(?) do not religiously reduce the speed setting prior to turning the power off. That has become a 'relic' of the past to most of us.

If the motor startup time exceeds a couple of seconds, you oughta be starting from a lower speed setting. This becomes obvious with the newer steel sanding flywheel.

Realistically, when stopping with the intention to quickly resume, slowing down is likely redundant as well as a PITA.

When finished fer de day setting to slow be a good habit.