Shopsmith Forums

How long should the control sheave bearing last?

I just replace one for my 510.
Is a good idea to how a spare on hand?
I have a friend that might make the button for the bearing, the buy several loops and roll pins from SS and buy some good bearing from a local bearing supply.

while I replaced the control sheave bearing, I checked the others bearing and they were still good, but would not last very long. So I replaced the drive sleeve assembly bearing and the quill assembly bearing. the 510 sure sound and runs a lot better now.

lyall wrote:How long should the control sheave bearing last?

I just replace one for my 510.
Is a good idea to how a spare on hand?
I have a friend that might make the button for the bearing, the buy several loops and roll pins from SS and buy some good bearing from a local bearing supply.

while I replaced the control sheave bearing, I checked the others bearing and they were still good, but would not last very long. So I replaced the drive sleeve assembly bearing and the quill assembly bearing. the 510 sure sound and runs a lot better now.

Measured in decades when maintained properly.

JPG wrote:

lyall wrote:How long should the control sheave bearing last?

I just replace one for my 510.
Is a good idea to how a spare on hand?
I have a friend that might make the button for the bearing, the buy several loops and roll pins from SS and buy some good bearing from a local bearing supply.

while I replaced the control sheave bearing, I checked the others bearing and they were still good, but would not last very long. So I replaced the drive sleeve assembly bearing and the quill assembly bearing. the 510 sure sound and runs a lot better now.

Measured in decades when maintained properly.

No truer words but very few do it. I recommend the following oiling at least once a year to maintain the control sheave bearing. A pet peeve of mine.

Put the headstock in the drill press position and FAST speed position. Tie the belt housing out of the way. Remove the logo cover. Using a zoom spout oiler, put the spout into the control sheave oil hole. I give a good squeeze (20-30 drops of oil minimum). Then put a few drops of oil around the top of the motor floating sheave and shaft and on the open shaft key. I use a flat blade screwdriver to part the spring for the zoom spout. Move the floating sheave up and down a little with your hands to get the oil to go around the motor shaft and key. I do this oiling of the shaft & key several times when doing this. I do not use the motor floating sheave oil hole for this lubrication as I find too little oil can be applied through this hole. Then turn on the motor and very slowly, cycle from FAST down to the SLOW speed. Then back to FAST. I do the same oiling sequence a second time. I do not believe you can over oil the headstock. 90% of the problems I find in the headstock come from lack of or too little oiling.

thanks Bill and JPG

I got an oiler from a clock repair shop for around $6. The needle tube is about 4 inch long. Sure makes it easier to oil with the long tube.