Shopsmith Forums

I have had a 1955 SS for years.

Last week I picked up a 1980 SS on craigslist for $150.

It was a basic model without any add-on's and missing a few small pieces.

It wasn't running well when I went to look at it but it did run but slow. Since it was being stored outside and it was below freezing I figured it was just gummed up inside.

I took it home and oiled it up and it ran better but it had an occasional squeal.

I watched the sawdust sessions and decided to take the headstock apart and see what I could find.

When I opened it up it was full of sawdust. There was sawdust up to over half of the motor. I vacuumed it as much as I could and decided to keep going.

It took six hours but I took it all apart Cleaned and lubed what I could and put it back together. It runs pretty good now. Smooth and quiet.

I may have to replace the two bearings on the main shaft as they seemed rough to me. I lubed them and they worked better but I may just be buying time.

I have two questions.

First, how difficult is it to replace the bearings on the main shaft?

Second, the quill appears to be a two bearing set up but there is still wiggle in the shaft. Should I thing about replacing those bearings?

Thanks,

Foster From Flint

You will need a bearing puller(HF).

I have a friend that rebuilds car engines and he has a bearing puller and press. Should they work for my SS bearings?

Where would be the best place to order them from?

Thanks,
Foster From Flint

Like JPG said you will need a bearing puller, but if you already figured out how to sucessfully take the headstock apart and put it back together and have it run good, you're more than half way there. I would verify that you really have a 2 bearing quill, unless the PO changed it I think at some point a 1980 SS should only have a single bearing in the quill. I got fooled when I took my machine apart because there was a metal washer that appeared to be a bearing until I took it apart. If you watched the sawdust sessions on the headstock rebuild Nick got fooled too. Look in the sticky under "everything MKV" for the section on bearings, that will give you the correct numbers and some good info. Look in Harbor Freight they have the puller/separator you need on sale, no need for a press. Any good bearing supplier should have the bearings you need just google the numbers. I get mine local, I just walk in, show the guy at the counter the bearing and walk out with what I need.

Hi
If you have a firend that rebuilds car engines and he has a puller he will know how to install the bearings. The bearings go on the shaft with a very light press. No need for a 20 ton press.
More important to have the bearing and shaft in proper alignment before applying pressure.
Bill V

One of the quill bearings will always be 6202-2RS-10, 5/8" Sealed Bearings, 5/8" x35 x11, 6202 RS 5/8. If a second bearing, it will be 32mm, 35mm or 40mm OD. Try to buy only preminum grade bearings or at least a ABEC3 or higher rated bearings. In this case, I prefer the shielded bearing over the rubber seal bearing due to the extra heat generated from the rubber seals. Motor grade bearings may not survive too long when used on the quill or on the Drive Sleeve.