Shopsmith Forums

I just changed the fan sheave, spacer and belt on my mark V SS. I ripped down (80) 2x4x1/2 pieces. It ran fine then I band sawed and sanded (24) 2x4 pieces, everything was fine. Then I put it in drill press mode and it started to smoke and a small amount of oil came out of the casing. I'm wondering if I might of over oiled the sheaves when I put it back together. If oil got into the motor, will it hurt it? Should I let it set for awhile and hopefully the oil will drain out in time, or should I tear it back apart and try to clean the oil out of it? It also made a popping sound when I laid it back down. I shut it down and unplugged it right away. Do you think I screwed up the motor or is it something that can be fixed?

I wonder if instead of in the motor that you perhaps got oil in the wiring somewhere. I wouldn't think that you should hear popping from the motor via some sort of short circuit without power applied to it.

By the way, I now have Deep Purple's 'Smoke on the Water' running through my head after seeing your subject title. ;^)

Couple of questions.
Where is the oil 'coming out of the casing'? If the belt cover/casting joint, it was likely slung from the pulley.

You lowered it with the motor running?(the pop)

Or did you shut it off after lowering it and then turned it on.

Doubt oil from the sheave can get into the motor along the shaft.

And last, what did the smoke smell like? Burning oil, or burning something else?

The smoke/pop may be not related to the oil.

Other than the 'smoke' is the motor running 'normally'?

P.S. Sure the motor is the source of the smoke?

I love Deep Purple, but not when it comes to my SS. (now, you got me singing Smoke On The Water). Anyway, I had it running for 2 hours or so in the table saw position I stood it up for the drill press, went to Lowe's, came back and started to drill some holes. I drilled about 10 holes and it started to smoke. I shut it down, then I started it up again when I heard it pop and smoke even more. I know what car oil smells like burning and I know what wires smell like burning. I never smelled 3 in 1 oil burning, but this was not the 1st two. I just wonder if when I was putting the spring back on if some how oil got into the motor, and it will have to dry out a little before I start it again. It's in the horizontal position now and it's going to stay there until I can get this figured out.
It was a blue smoke and it only popped one time. What I'm thinking is that the oil sprayed off the sheaves and hit the bottom pan, then when I stood it up that oil is what dripped out. (it wasn't burnt oil) Then the oil that didn't make it to the bottom is what went into the motor windings.
I hope I didn't mess this up cause my wife will

Did the smoke have a waxy smell. I am thinking that the start capacitor may have shorted. They will emit a blue colored smoke with a somewhat waxy odor.
What brand of motor is it? Emerson motors have the capacitor mounted inside of the motor end cap and they can be damaged when the motor is serviced.
Bill V

As a matter of fact, it was a waxy smell. So,is my wife going to kill me, or can I fix this boo-boo fairly easily?

My vote is starter cap (some are oil filled) and if so is the most wallet friendly motor fix you could hope for.

I'll have to check the name on the motor tomorrow. I'll probably have to take it apart again. Oh well, whatever it takes. I love my SS when it's working good.

If it is the starter cap, how do I fix it? What all will I need to get from SS?

I would deal with this at a local electric motor shop. They can ensure it is the cause, and will likely have a suitable cap in stock.

It is a trivial repair if you know what you are doing. I'm sure there are lots of how-tos online.