Shopsmith Forums

Today, was ripping 2 X 4's edgewise at 19 degrees. The length is just short of 8 feet. Just a bit past the 1/3 of the length making this cut, the Shopsmith (500, 1983 model) just died. I checked all the electrical up to the machine. I removed the belt cover and the belts are on and in their proper positions. Installation of the sanding disk assisted with turning the speed dial back to startup position. Tried the power switch on headstock, but not even a hum. Very little resistance while turning the sanding disk. Makes me wonder if the motor has died. It is the 1 1/8th HP AOSmith motor. Of course, I live in Central Time Zone here in the Florida panhandle and this happened at 4 pm our time. Shopsmith in Eastern Time Zone was closed by that time. What should I look for and who do I talk with at Shopsmith? Thank you in advance.

Gator

Sorry I can't help much, but you need an answer, even if it's weak. When calling Shopsmith just tell them your situation and ask to talk to engineering, if the first answer is not to your liking.

Not familiar with a model 500, but if you have 4 awitch terminals - put your 2 wires on the other side of the switch.

I don't have a clue, but I do want to say the title of your post made me burst out laughing.

It maybe a number of things, a process of elimination, the switch could be bad, connect the switch terminals, if it runs then it is the switch. If not then it is more likely the capasiter or motor, my money is on the switch.

Still plugged in????


Breaker tripped?????



Any unusual noise when it stopped?

Got an ohmmeter??

As always JPG you are right on, if already running other then a melted wire, some type of internal electrical disconnect why would it stop, I never think of the basic/obvious!!! Must have been that 2nd glass of wine with dinner!!!

JPG,

Still plugged in, all electrical up to machine good. The only noise was it was struggling to make the cut. Feed rate was incredibly slow to maintain machine speed.

Glad you folks have a sense of humor with my title. Part of the intent.

Got an ohmmeter or a continuity checker?

I am not a motor guru and don't know the inside of your motor but I remember that some have a mechanical contact set that can fail to connect in the end of the motor, and another has a motor start relay.

If yours has either of those I know that there are posts on repairing them in the forums.

Also if yours has been modified with a motor reverse switch it could be in that circuit.

The power switch was my first thought too. Just throwing out some ideas to help eliminate variables.

Everett

The start circuit(internal switch or external relay or capacitor or start winding) will not cause the motor to stop while already running.

Assuming the power receptacle is not faulty, the line cord, the switch, the motor leads and some internal(to the motor) wiring are all that could cause it to stop.

If there was a weak link in any of that, when placed under extreme load that link may fail(open up). Since the motor was laboring(requiring slow feed) that weak link may have been limiting power to the motor.

The path from the plug to the motor needs to be checked(the reason for a ohmmeter or continuity tester).