Shopsmith Forums

Is there a repair facility in the Chicagoland area? My Mark V keeps breaking the circuit breaker when turned on.

Don't know of a repair shop near you, but someone else might.

In the meantime there are guys here that can help you troubleshoot it yourself. Just wait a little and they will be here.

One question - Did it used to run a short time ago?

HI! Welcome to the forum.

I know of no one who is in the repair business here in IL but we do a bang up job with providing expertise so you can do your own repairs. The machines are reasonably easy to work on once you what needs to be done.

We love pictures as that helps us sort things faster then having to ask a dozen questions to just find out what model you have and what year.

The other good news (well I think it is good news) I live in Aurora. I don't often get to St Charles anymore but it could be an option if you really need the personal touch on your machine. I have no personal experience on the pre 1973 machines (except for the 10ER) but a lot of people here do.

There a lot of possible reasons for what is happening so if we could start with a few basic answers to some questions it could be a very simple fix.

Do you know the model and year it was made?

Have you owned and used it for some years now?

Has anything changed over time or was this a new thing that just started?

Has the machine been sitting for an extended time and not used?

Are you plugged into the same outlet that use to work?

Do you know what else might be on the same circuit breaker?

Do you have the machine set to slow to start?

Have you attempted to put the sanding disk on and with it unplugged tried to see if you can turn it?

If the speed dial is at a higher setting do not attempt to move it with out the shaft turning. Use the sanding disk to rotate and slowly turn it down to slow (again with out power applied).

I'll leave you with this but I'm sure other will follow with even more questions.

Ed

If you are on "high" speed and not "slow" speed it takes a lot more power for the motor to overcome inertia and to start.
You can put the machine to low speed by installing the sanding disc and then turning the disc by hand and SLOWLY turning the speed control handle to get to the slow range.
After you have done this then try to start the machine again. If it starts, then you should be good to go.
If it still blows the breaker then you may have a problem. If this is a new condition that has just started the problem may be the breaker.
If you can not turn the sanding disc by hand then the V belt may be stuck in one of the sheaves and this would require disassembly.
These machines are not difficult to work on. Working on them for the first time does require some guidance so come here often for that.
Bill V