Shopsmith Forums

Hi, I'm new to the Shopsmith (like a spell the whole name) and my question relates to this post but with a standard type C headstock.

Recently acquired a 510 from 1992. Previous owner added a new power cord without a strain relief grommet (actually no grommet) and saw fit to rewire the motor to switch with 18 gauge wire. He also broke 2 of the switch retainers.

The relationship to this post is the motor bearing wadding. I dug deeper and cleaned the motor as I had to remove it to fit the new power cord.

Of course, I didn't realize it was wadding until I had removed half of it; just thought it was oil soaked sawdust. Still, I do have most of it left.

What is it made of? (maybe it is sawdust?)
Can you buy it anywhere? (I tried to Google it but nothing came up)
And what weight oil is used to feed it?

Having removed the square plate that holds the bearing in place, I see someone has fabricated a square tube to refit it. Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance, I think I am going to enjoy Shopsmi, sorry SS ownership.

Please ignore the s/n in the signature, you get the idea but the numbers are in the wrong order.

[quote="alfatipo"]Hi, I'm new to the Shopsmith (like a spell the whole name) and my question relates to this post but with a standard type C headstock.

Recently acquired a 510 from 1992. Previous owner added a new power cord without a strain relief grommet (actually no grommet) and saw fit to rewire the motor to switch with 18 gauge wire. He also broke 2 of the switch retainers.

The relationship to this post is the motor bearing wadding. I dug deeper and cleaned the motor as I had to remove it to fit the new power cord.

Of course, I didn't realize it was wadding until I had removed half of it]

Well you succeeded in getting me confused!

If it is a "C" from 1992, then it should not have a motor with 'wadded' bearings! It should have ball bearings.

Is it possible the po also swapped motor parts?

A pix would help!

I have found 2 Emerson motors with the packing and a bushing in the wiring end of the motor. I thought they were from headstocks but most likely was in other Shopsmith equipment. I just wabbed up some cotton balls with wheel bearing grease and stuffed them back into the end plate. I finished removing all the old packing first. Since I cannot reverse any of the Emerson motors, I only rebuild them with a new bearing and gave them back to the customer. The bushing was still tight on the motor shaft.

Maybe I assumed too much (that never happens). It has the red safety switch, I was under the impression that was the C headstock?

I'll get photos. The label is missing on the motor so it may not be the original.

alfatipo wrote:Maybe I assumed too much (that never happens). It has the red safety switch, I was under the impression that was the C headstock?

It be a "C" then.

I assumed ALL 1 1/8 and 3/4 hp motors had ball bearings. IMHO they ALL should have them. Somebody took a 'shortcut' at the motor factory!!!!!:(.


P.S. I think a call to SS is in order if only to inform them of what you and Bill 'discovered'. Just hope Dave is busy when you call! ;>}

The ss literature refers to the 'permanently lubricated motor bearings', so therefore anything else is a defect in manufacturing IMHO!