Shopsmith Forums

We've just aquired a Shopsmith circa 1980.
We are in the process of evaluating it but we are new to shopsmith and woodworking. The motor works fine but the speed selector doesn't turn to the slower setting when the motor is off. The selector turns fine when the motor is running. The manual instructs to turn the speed selector to the slowest speed prior to turning the motor on. Of course we can simply set the selector on slow prior to turning the motor off but we are curious to know if this is normal. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I would say rule number one on a Shop Smith is to never, ever turn the speed dial unless the motor is running. Others will also post in this regard. I'm replying quickly because I don't want you to do anything in haste and create problems for you.
Regards,
Dwight

If I understand your question correctly, you are correct. Turning the speed control while the motor is running is the only time you should do it. It will damage the control if you force it while not turning. Not an expert, but this is a very common issue and the damage found on used SS is often to the Speed control damaged by turning the handle. There is some disagreement as to the best way to deal with this. The manual says to turn the speed to slow before turning the machine off, every time. Some here do not do that every time. PArt of the reason going to slow is a good plan has to do with the electrical load placed on the breakers when started on higher speed settings, some has to do with SS operation reccomendations. I sort of compromise, I usually leave the speed set when I am doing one operation, like sawing, and then go to slow when I stop for the day or know I am going to another operation. Cold starts need the slow settings and you don't want to start up a band saw on fast, so the end of the day slow setting is a good idea.

dlbristol wrote:If I understand your question correctly, you are correct. Turning the speed control while the motor is running is the only time you should do it. It will damage the control if you force it while not turning. Not an expert, but this is a very common issue and the damage found on used SS is often to the Speed control damaged by turning the handle. There is some disagreement as to the best way to deal with this. The manual says to turn the speed to slow before turning the machine off, every time. Some here do not do that every time. PArt of the reason going to slow is a good plan has to do with the electrical load placed on the breakers when started on higher speed settings, some has to do with SS operation reccomendations. I sort of compromise, I usually leave the speed set when I am doing one operation, like sawing, and then go to slow when I stop for the day or know I am going to another operation. Cold starts need the slow settings and you don't want to start up a band saw on fast, so the end of the day slow setting is a good idea.

FWIW the WORST thing you can do is attempt to adjust the speed control towards SLOW with the motor NOT running(or the pulleys being rotated by hand).

i.e. Do NOT try to do so. In other words STOP doing that!:)

Please re-read that section of the manual. I believe that it states to turn the speed down to slow BEFORE turning the machine off. the speed control should never be turned uinless the shafts are turning either by hand or with the motor running.
Feel free to come back here with any additional questions.
Bill V

Thank you all. Will read the re-read the manual carefully and hope that we didn't do damage to the selector:eek: