Shopsmith Forums

After 33 years of storage this never opened MkV 500 seems to run up and through its speed range without tripping. I will continue to worry about the sealed bearings sitting that long but at least the sheaves are well oiled. Here are some new questions:

1. Apparently during manufacturing the front left and back right screws holding the motor pan on were over torqued and striped the threaded clips. The front left backed out during initial run up so I checked the others and found the back right in the same condition. Any experience out there with replacing these clips or is just using the next larger diameter screw for these two the best solution?

2. The Shopsmith logo on the back is loose and vibrates. Same with the pin that sticks out of the speed control handle. Are these typical and is there a fix?

3. Across the speed range the head stock is a louder than what I expected. There is a lot in there moving around so I guess some noise is to be expected but if others describe theirs as quiet running then I have a problem. It's just been so long since I heard one running. Any comments on running noise levels?

As soon as I get the cleaning and waxing done I will send photos.

I think smooth running would be a better description. Mine makes a good deal of noise, but was not what I would describe as obnoxiously loud, that is until a bearing started to scream last month.

The logo plate is held on with a spring clip. It may be possible to spread the clip so it fits tighter but I wouldn't worry about it. The speed control "pin" has a loose rivet that holds it on and a little slop is to be expected. As for the noise, the older (non Power Pro) headstocks are typically somewhat noisey. Because it is an older and unused machine I would run it for a small project and then re-oil it.
Shopsmith has the sawdust sessions on the website and if you listen to the run in on any of the sessions you will hear what a typical headstock sounds like.
In the case of a 30 year old machine that is otherwise new I would expect to have a bearing to give up fairly early. Not a guaranty but something to look out for. Not to worry, the bearings are cheap and easily replaced.
Bill V

I'm sure that the belts have taken a set from sitting so long and will probably quiet down with use.
I mess with old tractors a lot and if one sits for a few weeks and you put the tractor in high gear and start down the road it feels like the wheels are square. After a little running they round back out.
My 1988 510 still has the original belts on it so I wouldn't worry too much about the belts aging out badly. A lot of old one are running very old belts. Now if you bought an older one that had a lot of use and the owner replaced the belts with cheapie belts then they might not be too good.
The other rattles may also be a result of the belts taking a set.

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Thanks for all the info. I may turn it on for 15 minutes to let it mellow out. Did using the next larger screws on the motor pan seem like the right fix. I can't see the clips to know if this will cause any issues.

You asked, grease or wax on the quill. I don't use grease anywhere. I wax the quill making sure not to leave a heavy wax deposit to mix with saw dust.

When you refer to the motor pan are you referring to the cover over the belts or the pan under the headstock that actually holds the motor. You referred to the "spring clips" and these aare used on the belt cover. The motor is held into the lower pan with heavier screws that screw into the aluminum end caps of the motor. If it is just the tinnerman clips under the belt cover thay can be replaced at any well stocked hardware store.
By the way, We love pictures here.
Bill V

I'm not sure how to attach a picture from my iPhone so some guidance there would help.

As for the screws, its 2 of the 5 that hold the grey motor pan to the upper headstock. With the belt cover off I can see that they are Tinnerman clips so I can replace these if I can drop this pan enough without taking the belt off. These screws are the same as the two that hold the belt cover on.

If I removed the four machine screws that connect the motor to the pan is there anything back there to support the motor other than the belt and the power wire?

highwing182 wrote:I'm not sure how to attach a picture from my iPhone so some guidance there would help.

As for the screws, its 2 of the 5 that hold the grey motor pan to the upper headstock. With the belt cover off I can see that they are Tinnerman clips so I can replace these if I can drop this pan enough without taking the belt off. These screws are the same as the two that hold the belt cover on.

If I removed the four machine screws that connect the motor to the pan is there anything back there to support the motor other than the belt and the power wire?

I have not figured out a way to directly upload photos from an iphone to the forum. I usually email them to myself and then upload from a computer (after changing the size to fit forum limits).

I use Photobucket.com. You can upload pics to you Photobucket account with their app. Then they can provide a link you can paste into a forum post to insert the image.