Shopsmith Forums

I have finally managed to get the headstock on my recently acquired 82 Mark V back together and was able to power it on yesterday for the first time. Since this is my first Shopsmith, I don't know how one is supposed to sound. Mine has an approximately one second oscillation that is most noticeable around F on the speed dial. Faster than that and other noises start to drown it out. It's difficult for me to determine the source of the noise, especially since I have tinnitus in my left ear, but it appears to emanate from the motor region. I can't be sure, but it seemed to lessen somewhat when I reduced the tension on the Poly-V belt. I have installed new quill and drive sleeve bearings and 2 new belts. When detached from the drive belt, the motor exhibits no discernible oscillation. I have attached a zip file that has a short recording of the sound. Windows 7 users should have no problem downloading and listening to it. Other Windows platforms require a third party unzip utility. If you don't have one installed, don't worry about it. Thanks anyway.

1) The ss headstock is quite noisey(all of them).

2) The 'oscillation' is probably due to sheave wear.

3) The sound was not all that accurate on the built in speakers in this computer, but I do not think there was anything that stood out as 'a problem'.

4) Something is 'hunting' at that speed(sheaves sliding, belts syncing...).

Since it disappears at other speed settings, I would not be too concerned(it is not new after all!).

Run it with the belt cover off and see it you can observe something moving in/out etc. at the same rate.