Shopsmith Forums

How do remove and reinstall the button bearing in the speed control sheave? Left to my own thoughts I would drive it out and tap or press one in.
Also, how do most people press on new drive sleeve bearings?

Thanks for any info.
Chris

ChrisNeilan wrote:How do remove and reinstall the button bearing in the speed control sheave? Left to my own thoughts I would drive it out and tap or press one in.
Also, how do most people press on new drive sleeve bearings?

Thanks for any info.
Chris

Not all buttons can be removed from the control sheave bearing. If the button shaft extends past the end of the bearing, I use a nail set to press the button from the bearing. I have been drilling the buttons shaft center with a drill bit about 1/3 the size of the shaft so I can use the same nail set to expand the shaft once the bearing is installed. A #2 phillips bit had been used to stake the bearing before I started doing this modification. I have a hydranic press for removal and installing the button and bearing.

Note: Many times the control sheave sleeve will crack or split when removing or installing the control sheave bearing. I have special tools I use with success about 90% of the time. If the bearing is recessed at least .20" deeper in to the control sheave sleeve, I found that I could press the bearing out of the control sheave sleeve and press another bearing with button into the control sheave sleeve and stake the bearing. If not, I have been machining the bearing depth from .020" to .030" deeper so I can stake the bearing once it is installed. I use LocTite for the ID & OD of the bearing being careful not to get it into the bearing. I have not had good success installing another bearing when the bearing depth is about the same as the bearing width. The bearing pulled out later when the lubrication was not done frequent enough to keep the control sheave well oiled.

I have successful machined a collar to press over the control sheave sleeve when it cracks or splits. I also machine for a deeper bearing depth on this modification. Lately, I have machining the Motor Floating Sheave sleeve end as a Control Sheave replacement. I had a dozen or two of them laying around. I buy my buttons and bearings from an Ebay seller that I buy from often.

Because of manufacturing tolerances, a different control sheave may not fit the idler shaft or have the sheave vanes clear each other when the sheaves are closed. If you are not buying a new Control Sheave from Shopsmith, I recommend only replacing the control sheave with another used control sheave and idler sheave and shaft as a unit.