Shopsmith Forums

I'm new to the forum, though I have had two Shopsmiths since about 1981, when I bought my first one, new. The second one I got used, and it's the one I currently have. Both MK V.

Currently have a problem. Started with the motor just humming when switched on, and dimming the lights. Oiled everything up, and it ran, but lights still dim, lots of smoke and smelled of electronics burning. Shut everything down. Saw the disassemble instructions on this forum and just finished doing that. With the motor out of the housing, I turned it on again, and it ran great. Quiet, no smoke, nothing. Before I reassemble this thing, any clues as to what is going on?

Also, if there is someone more skilled in Shopsmith repair around the Tallahassee area, I might wish to hire your services, to make sure this thing is right.

Headstock and motor cleaned up, both belts were removed. Checked for any frayed wiring inside, but took switch and all wiring out with the motor and it ran fine. Nothing on the circuit but a couple of fluorescent shop lights, and I've always used them with no problem before. All the shafts turned easily by hand before I started disassembling anything, so the belts were apparently not stuck. Guess I will just start putting it back together and see what happens. Very curious, though.

Not sure how old this unit is, but I have had it many years. Haven't located a serial number on it anywhere.

In my experience with electric motors, you probably either have a sheave that's bound somehow or some other part of the drivetrain that is stuck, OR the primary windings of the motor are giving out, and the ol' girl can't make it over the initial "hump" to get up to full running speed.

Given that the problem goes away without the drivetrain, I'd focus there first. You may need to rebuild the headstock to find out exactly which little bit it is that's plaguing you. I would advise against hooking it up and running it again because if something is amiss or there's a dry bearing surface somewhere, the more you run it like that, the more damage you do.

I just pulled a headstock apart for the first time, and I found it to be really easy. Of course, I was an aircraft mechanic for 13 years, so that may have helped. But anyhow, I really feel these machines are user friendly and maintenance friendly. Good luck to you!

jag39 wrote:Not sure how old this unit is, but I have had it many years. Haven't located a serial number on it anywhere.

I take it that you have looked on the vent plate. So what color is the headstock?

I'm going to start putting it back together today, so maybe I will cure a problem just by resetting everything. If putting the small amount of drive-line resistance to the motor causes the same problem, then I will figure it's the motor. If not, maybe something with the belts had caused the problems. Motor is running great on the bench, though. Thanks for the input.

It's either grey or green, don't remember off hand.

Jag39,
this maybe redundant, you did not say, so I wont assume, do the sheaves move smoothly laterally on there shafts? I bought a goldie, that they were jammed up and basically stuck in the high speed setting, when in the assembled mode, I could turn the quill shaft with a sanding disc by hand, but when I turned it on it just hummed and not turn. No smoke or acidic "motor" insulation smell, turned it off B4 it may have gotten to that point. I found the sheaves jammed in the fastest rpm setting and a semi shredded motor to sheave belt. I hope this may help.

The sheaves seemed fine when I pulled them out of the housing. Getting ready to go put everything back in, I hope. I've just been reviewing the reassembly links on this forum. Thanks for the suggestions. Will make sure they are sliding when I reassemble them.