Shopsmith Forums

After Christmas, I'm going to create a few YouTube video guides showing how to refurb, rewire, reverse, etc. the shopsmith motor(s). I have several of these under my belt now (with no failures) and I also have the spray varnish for the windings.

So...I'm looking for someone that wants their GE or AO Smith motor rewired to be reversible and/or to run on 240v. I'll also replace the bearings while I'm there if you want. You cover shipping and parts, labor will be free. Without bearings, parts are about $15 (including DPDT switch and wiring).

If your motor doesn't work now, I'll be happy to try on it but no guarantees as I don't know what's wrong until I'm in there.

If your motor works now, I'll offer a "warranty" of sorts. If something happens to your motor, I'll ship you my 1986 Emerson motor as a replacement (120V and unidirectional). This will cover the time I have it plus...I dunno...90 days? (Is this a fair amount of time, or do y'all think it should be longer?)

Another option is simply trading motors from the start (assuming fair condition) My Emerson motor runs great and quietly.

Any takers?

That is an outstanding offfer. Now, why would anyone want a reversible motor in their Shopsmith. Here are a few notes I have collected:

Dual Direction Operation - You'll enjoy forward or reverse operation for performing bi-directional sanding, with-the-grain cuts and safe, under-the-workpiece shaping operations with the 556210 Mark V Double Tilt Base Upgrade. You can even back a bit out of a deep hole or cut to clear chips or shavings, if necessary.

ALLOWS UP TO MOUNT THE STRIP SANDER ON THE OPERATORS SIDE FOR LATHE KNIFE SHARPEN. Was my first reason to modify for a reverse motor.

1" strip sander is intended to be run backwards when using the lathe tool sharpening jig.

Allows the Bandsaw to be mounted on either side of the headstock.

Allows fuzz from sanding to be easier to remove.

6" Belt Sander has input shaft on both sides, so orientation and rotation direction is the same on either end.

The Jig Saw and Scroll Saw can always be operated from the quill side of the headstock.

Now my pitch. I have available some really nice "C" headstocks with the Quill Feed Assembly (34-43, 53, 74, 75, 76, 134) and Headsock Lock Assembly (78-80, 50, 51) still installed along with the Eccentric Bushing bolt, lock washer and nut and the 3/4" retaining washer. These headstocks will have all the holes drilled for the Do-It-Yourself PowerPro Upgrade kit (556177). This allows you to keep your current headstock complete for use on a second MINI or SHORTY Shopsmith plus you do not have to do any drilling or filing for this upgrade. Therefore, the motor from your current headstock that is being replaced by the PowerPro upgraded headstock might be adaptable (AO Smith & GE) for the reverse operation. Of course, I have available MINI and SHORTY frame kits to complete this second Shopsmith. Please contact me off-line if interested.

Having done this myself I can appreciate the generosity of your offer!:):):)

I am curious where you intend to mount the direction switch.

JPG40504 wrote:Having done this myself I can appreciate the generosity of your offer!:):):)

I am curious where you intend to mount the direction switch.

I used a double pole double throw switch in an 1/2" hole 2" down and 4" in from the back edge of the motor pan. This is directly under the ON/OFF switch on the "B" headstock. I flatten the switch connections 90 deg to the side for clearance and use insulated 1/4" slip on connectors for the wires. The external wires use the 1/4" insulated connectors that I clamp on to the wires. No wire nuts or solder joints needed outside the motor. This makes testing and motor removal real easy. You have to install the switch into the motor pan hole before installing the motor mounting screws.

joshh wrote:After Christmas, I'm going to create a few YouTube video guides showing how to refurb, rewire, reverse, etc. the shopsmith motor(s). I have several of these under my belt now (with no failures) and I also have the spray varnish for the windings.

So...I'm looking for someone that wants their GE or AO Smith motor rewired to be reversible and/or to run on 240v. I'll also replace the bearings while I'm there if you want. You cover shipping and parts, labor will be free. Without bearings, parts are about $15 (including DPDT switch and wiring).

If your motor doesn't work now, I'll be happy to try on it but no guarantees as I don't know what's wrong until I'm in there.

If your motor works now, I'll offer a "warranty" of sorts. If something happens to your motor, I'll ship you my 1986 Emerson motor as a replacement (120V and unidirectional). This will cover the time I have it plus...I dunno...90 days? (Is this a fair amount of time, or do y'all think it should be longer?)

Another option is simply trading motors from the start (assuming fair condition) My Emerson motor runs great and quietly.

Any takers?

I have a couple of them and will be interested but let me first check what motor models I have.

I do have 220 in my shops already and have been looking forward for a 220 unit for a while.

Hard to find...

Stay tuned for my motor info.

joshh wrote:After Christmas, I'm going to create a few YouTube video guides showing how to refurb, rewire, reverse, etc. the shopsmith motor(s). I have several of these under my belt now (with no failures) and I also have the spray varnish for the windings.

So...I'm looking for someone that wants their GE or AO Smith motor rewired to be reversible and/or to run on 240v. I'll also replace the bearings while I'm there if you want. You cover shipping and parts, labor will be free. Without bearings, parts are about $15 (including DPDT switch and wiring).

If your motor doesn't work now, I'll be happy to try on it but no guarantees as I don't know what's wrong until I'm in there.

If your motor works now, I'll offer a "warranty" of sorts. If something happens to your motor, I'll ship you my 1986 Emerson motor as a replacement (120V and unidirectional). This will cover the time I have it plus...I dunno...90 days? (Is this a fair amount of time, or do y'all think it should be longer?)

Another option is simply trading motors from the start (assuming fair condition) My Emerson motor runs great and quietly.

Any takers?

Does it include Greenie motors ? Fingers crossed.

I'll even drive up and make it a road trip. Maybe I can talk Fred Sheldon to tag along.

2centsworth wrote:Does it include Greenie motors ? Fingers crossed.

I'll even drive up and make it a road trip. Maybe I can talk Fred Sheldon to tag along.

The 3/4 HP cast iron AO Smith motor was the easiest to convert of all the Shopsmith motors. This is an outstanding motor with heavier rotor and coil wires and uses a centrifugal switch for the start windings. I was able to convert a few 3/4 HP motors for reverse operation in the past so I know it can be done. However, I have been unsuccessful for the past year to get these 3/4 HP motors to operate and not just hum. Not even a tune where I can name the notes. I believe it is in my wiring of the start relay as these 3/4 HP motors used a start relay for the windings. I tried using the same diagrams I had used in the past but have been unable to wrap my mind around the problem. Maybe on one of my good days, I will try again.

joshh wrote:After Christmas, I'm going to create a few YouTube video guides showing how to refurb, rewire, reverse, etc. the shopsmith motor(s). I have several of these under my belt now (with no failures) and I also have the spray varnish for the windings.

So...I'm looking for someone that wants their GE or AO Smith motor rewired to be reversible and/or to run on 240v. I'll also replace the bearings while I'm there if you want. You cover shipping and parts, labor will be free. Without bearings, parts are about $15 (including DPDT switch and wiring).

If your motor doesn't work now, I'll be happy to try on it but no guarantees as I don't know what's wrong until I'm in there.

If your motor works now, I'll offer a "warranty" of sorts. If something happens to your motor, I'll ship you my 1986 Emerson motor as a replacement (120V and unidirectional). This will cover the time I have it plus...I dunno...90 days? (Is this a fair amount of time, or do y'all think it should be longer?)

Another option is simply trading motors from the start (assuming fair condition) My Emerson motor runs great and quietly.

Any takers?

I checked and I can confirm I have an AO smith motor

Should I PM you to work out details?

Thanks and best regards

joshh wrote:After Christmas, I'm going to create a few YouTube video guides showing how to refurb, rewire, reverse, etc. the shopsmith motor(s). I have several of these under my belt now (with no failures) and I also have the spray varnish for the windings.

So...I'm looking for someone that wants their GE or AO Smith motor rewired to be reversible and/or to run on 240v. I'll also replace the bearings while I'm there if you want. You cover shipping and parts, labor will be free. Without bearings, parts are about $15 (including DPDT switch and wiring).

If your motor doesn't work now, I'll be happy to try on it but no guarantees as I don't know what's wrong until I'm in there.

If your motor works now, I'll offer a "warranty" of sorts. If something happens to your motor, I'll ship you my 1986 Emerson motor as a replacement (120V and unidirectional). This will cover the time I have it plus...I dunno...90 days? (Is this a fair amount of time, or do y'all think it should be longer?)

Another option is simply trading motors from the start (assuming fair condition) My Emerson motor runs great and quietly.

Any takers?

I checked and I can confirm I have an AO smith motor

Should I PM you to work out details?

Thanks and best regards

In order of when they PM'd me the volunteers are db5, eartigas, then 2centsworth. I'll probably end up doing more than one motor like this depending on who needs what.

I'll be doing the motor(s) the first week or second week of January. The reversal only takes a few hours if all the parts are gathered first.

Db5, check and see what brand of motor you have.

eartigas, I'm glad for the 220v volunteer. Unless db5 wants his to be 220v, I'll definitely do yours.

2centworth, if you want to make a road trip up here, I think that's a great idea. We can make sure to go by Skip's shop from mkctools. He is definitely someone you want to meet if you get the chance. If you can break Fred away from his bowls, bring him with you!



I might as well get my ulterior motives out there. My plan is to turn this into a side business offering this service on to forum members as well as on eBay (kits with reversible motor, switch, etc). I wanted a few satisfied customers on the forums first.

So other than these 3, if anyone who wants this service I'll be offering it soon.