Shopsmith Forums

I'm breaking down the Franklin Electric 3/4 hp motor from my greenie. Every bearing I've checked except, perhaps, the control sheave (water pump) bearings have been globbed with a nasty tarry mixture of layers of rancid penguin lard, dandruff, cigarette ashes, ground up trees and bong water, best I can tell. I have trouble accepting that it is just normal grease and sawdust so I'm pondering WHY the previous owners hated me so much (before I was born even!) and intentionally jammed all that crud past the shields on the bearings. So... short story long: I assume the motor bearings need replacing. I need to rewire the motor anyhow since the cord is breaking.

I have read that the fan sheave should not be pried off since it will bend. What should I do if it is sticking? Am I missing something?

I figure getting in there and prying on both sides right adjacent to the shaft would have the least risk of damage but want to ask here before I break anything.

I did search and found no details, even among the threadsthat do a great job covering other aspects about the motors.

Thank you!

Well I have never seen the inside of a franklin motor.

However considering its age crud is to be expected.

Twisting is not possible unless you have removed the key.(not likely either).

So Lots of penetrant and soaking.

Then judicious prying and banging.

If you have a 'wheel puller' it may help.

OK, so it just took a bit of knocking on the backside of the sheaves with the rubber coated handles of a pair of needle nose pliers. I had to try rather hard, but had very poor mechanical advantage so there wasn't much pressure. There was, however, more of that industrial waste crud jamming it in place. No metal to metal issues, just gluey stuff.

Ah, I missed your reply as I typed. I couldn't remove the key beforehand, too stuck, and I think that was what was binding the most. I should add that I did drop some penetrating oil when I first tried, forgot about it. So, anyone from the future here to deal with this problem on their own machine, follow JPG's advice.

Thanks JPG,

Fitzhugh

fitzhugh wrote:OK, so it just took a bit of knocking on the backside of the sheaves with the rubber coated handles of a pair of needle nose pliers. I had to try rather hard, but had very poor mechanical advantage so there wasn't much pressure. There was, however, more of that industrial waste crud jamming it in place. No metal to metal issues, just gluey stuff.

So, you had an easy one!

Yeah, I assumed worse after some things I've encountered on the newer one I have. This c. 1959 has been easier than the 1983 Mk V.

And even after all my griping about crap I was encountering I *still* managed to dump ask the loose sawdust right in my lap. Guess I need to put tools down and sleep before I break something I can't fix (like my own body)

Photos with questions to follow tomorrow. Man the sheave side bearing was nearly frozen.