Shopsmith Forums

Hi,

Got a shopsmith 510 a few weeks ago. The machine seemed to be well kept so turned it on and it sounded fine. I than did basic maintenance, blowing out the heastock (not much sawdust ), oiled the sheaves and waxed it. Turned it back on, cut a piece of ply, no issues.

Yesterday evening planned on starting on a project. I turned it on and heard a distinct click on starting. Turned it off and got the click again. It now clicks everytime I start/stop the machine. I took off the saw blade/guards but the clicks are still there. There are no clicks or other abnormal noises when running at any speed.

Did my homework, but came up blank. Before I pull the headstock apart thought I will reach out to you guys, if the clicks are normal and if not what could be the likely cause.

Thanks for your help.

goana wrote:Hi,

Got a shopsmith 510 a few weeks ago. The machine seemed to be well kept so turned it on and it sounded fine. I than did basic maintenance, blowing out the heastock (not much sawdust ), oiled the sheaves and waxed it. Turned it back on, cut a piece of ply, no issues.

Yesterday evening planned on starting on a project. I turned it on and heard a distinct click on starting. Turned it off and got the click again. It now clicks everytime I start/stop the machine. I took off the saw blade/guards but the clicks are still there. There are no clicks or other abnormal noises when running at any speed.

Did my homework, but came up blank. Before I pull the headstock apart thought I will reach out to you guys, if the clicks are normal and if not what could be the likely cause.

Thanks for your help.

The motor start switch perhaps!;)

goana wrote:Hi,

Got a shopsmith 510 a few weeks ago. The machine seemed to be well kept so turned it on and it sounded fine. I than did basic maintenance, blowing out the heastock (not much sawdust ), oiled the sheaves and waxed it. Turned it back on, cut a piece of ply, no issues.

Yesterday evening planned on starting on a project. I turned it on and heard a distinct click on starting. Turned it off and got the click again. It now clicks everytime I start/stop the machine. I took off the saw blade/guards but the clicks are still there. There are no clicks or other abnormal noises when running at any speed.

Did my homework, but came up blank. Before I pull the headstock apart thought I will reach out to you guys, if the clicks are normal and if not what could be the likely cause.

Thanks for your help.

I hate making calls like this without seeing and hearing for myself but I believe you have nothing at all to be concerned about. The sound you are hearing is almost certainly the centrifugal (start) switch activating and deactivating.

As the machine comes up to speed, the centrifugal switch activates and disconnects the start windings; this puts the motor in run mode. When you turn the machine off and it slows down, the start switch relaxes and reconnects the start windings in preparation for the next on cycle.

dusty wrote:I hate making calls like this without seeing and hearing for myself but I believe you have nothing at all to be concerned about. The sound you are hearing is almost certainly the centrifugal (start) switch activating and deactivating.

As the machine comes up to speed, the centrifugal switch activates and disconnects the start windings. When you turn the machine off and it slows down, the start switch relaxes and reconnects the start windings in preparation for the next on cycle.

OMG!:eek: Dusty and I are on the same page!:D

JPG40504 wrote:OMG!:eek: Dusty and I are on the same page!:D

Is that unusual? I have thought for a long time that you and I both had a pretty good understanding of how these things work.

dusty wrote:Is that unusual? I have thought for a long time that you and I both had a pretty good understanding of how these things work.

Not really!;):)














Unusual that is!:rolleyes:

Yep we both got a good understanding! Except when we have been mis-informed! TG that is not often!

Here are some basic trouble shooting tips:

First remove all attachments form the quill/attachment points and see if it clicks with nothing attached and no load.

If it does, then some internal headstock issue is most likely the source of the clicking and further investigation is warranted.

If it does not click, then reattach the attachment that was clicking and try again. If noise, then you have isolated the problem and investigate from there.

If no noise, you may have inadvertently fixed it. Monitor the situation and see if it returns. Also try different attachments and different loads.

Hi gona! Welcome to the Forum! Glad to have you aboard - especially a guy that has done lubrication on his new machine.

Guess I'm only half informed as I had only heard clicks when turning off. However, I'm not doubting Dusty's guess. He and Red are pretty well informed.

Best wishes!

charlese wrote:Hi gona! Welcome to the Forum! Glad to have you aboard - especially a guy that has done lubrication on his new machine.

Guess I'm only half informed as I had only heard clicks when turning off. However, I'm not doubting Dusty's guess. He and Red are pretty well informed.

Best wishes!

Not all motors are the same. The Emerson is much quieter that the AO Smith. I have to listen for the Emerson to switch. My other machines clunks loudly; you know it has changed.

Thanks for the quick responses. Such an active, helpful, community...it's comforting for newbies like me.

The clicks are very much there without any attachments. Seems like Dusty/JP are right on the money. I looked through the nameplate opening when turning off the machine and did not see anything snap into place as such..so should be related to motor and centrifugal switch. I have attached a mp3 with txt extension. I was concerned since I did not hear the clicks earlier.

Thanks again.