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Broke my gilmer idler sheave...what now?
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:23 pm
by calvin
Hi guys, I did something stupid. I did not realize on my shopsmith that there is a clip holding the idle sheave in place...and used a gear puller to try and get it off after many gentler attempts.
So now my idler shaft's bearings are shot and I will need a new one plus the eccentric bushing since the new shafts are different and I destroyed my gilmer idler sheave and will need a new one...
So I have a few questions:
-I can get a new idler shaft from shopsmith directly, but will it fit an old greenie?
-I scoured ebay with no findings for a gilmer-style idler sheave. Where can I get one? I also came across two different shopsmith part numbers for the idler sheave, one is specifically for 505+ models, and another (part no. 515781) has no designations, is this an old gilmer style idler sheave?!
Final plea:
If anyone has a gilmer idler sheave and/or an idler shaft up for grabs, please let me know and we can figure something out. I know this is not the place for buying/selling but I am not sure if I have other options.
Thanks!
Re: Broke my gilmer idler sheave...what now?
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 10:35 pm
by ERLover
I can t give advice on some of your questions, just dont know, others here do and will post. Check your PMs, I sent you one that may help, give him a email.
Re: Broke my gilmer idler sheave...what now?
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:18 pm
by JPG
calvin wrote:Hi guys, I did something stupid. I did not realize on my shopsmith that there is a clip holding the idle sheave in place...and used a gear puller to try and get it off after many gentler attempts.
So now my idler shaft's bearings are shot and I will need a new one plus the eccentric bushing since the new shafts are different and I destroyed my gilmer idler sheave and will need a new one...
So I have a few questions:
-I can get a new idler shaft from shopsmith directly, but will it fit an old greenie? YES
-I scoured ebay with no findings for a gilmer-style idler sheave. Where can I get one? I also came across two different shopsmith part numbers for the idler sheave, one is specifically for 505+ models, and another (part no. 515781) has no designations, is this an old gilmer style idler sheave?!
Final plea:
If anyone has a gilmer idler sheave and/or an idler shaft up for grabs, please let me know and we can figure something out. I know this is not the place for buying/selling but I am not sure if I have other options.
Thanks!
Be patient gilmer idler sheaves do occur fairly often.
Now how about some pix. Maybe you do not need replacements(assuming the parts are still in one piece).
Re: Broke my gilmer idler sheave...what now?
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:28 pm
by calvin
@ERLover:
Thanks for the quick response, I replied to your PM but it seems to be empty! Not sure what's going on there.
@JPG:
Patience is something I could really get some more of! GREAT news that I can replace the idler shaft with something new, at the least. I'll keep an eye out on ebay for a replacement idler sheave.
I'm fairly sure the sheave is non-repairable because it's cracked and bent. But who doesn't love pictures? I've uploaded them, below.
- IMG_20160107_232104071.jpg (906.05 KiB) Viewed 3288 times
- IMG_20160107_232110465.jpg (800.68 KiB) Viewed 3288 times
- IMG_20160107_232125595.jpg (601.16 KiB) Viewed 3288 times
Re: Broke my gilmer idler sheave...what now?
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 11:59 pm
by JPG
Yep the aluminum part is toast, but do not throw it out. The gilmer hub may be salvageable and it may be possible(if one has a machine shop) to improvise a sheave(A bit dicey).
Now how about the idler shaft etc.?
BTW you need to be observant since the sellers on e-bay do not always know there are two different sheaves.
Erlover may have been trying to suggest you PM Bill Mayo.
Re: Broke my gilmer idler sheave...what now?
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 12:31 am
by ERLover
JPG, right on, we are like maternal twins
No it was the other guy, that Bill sold all to, I got a new PM to him with the site. He helped out with some off the wall ER parts a few weeks ago. HogWinslow.
Re: Broke my gilmer idler sheave...what now?
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 5:24 am
by billmayo
JPG wrote:Yep the aluminum part is toast, but do not throw it out. The gilmer hub may be salvageable and it may be possible(if one has a machine shop) to improvise a sheave(A bit dicey).
Now how about the idler shaft etc.?
BTW you need to be observant since the sellers on e-bay do not always know there are two different sheaves.
Erlover may have been trying to suggest you PM Bill Mayo.
I have Gilmer Idler sheaves where I machine the vanes to remove any worn areas, scratches and nicks. I also have rebuilt and tested Gilmer clutches with new bearings available. I have any part the Gilmer headstock would need available. Contact me at
bill.mayo@verizon.net for more information and prices. I am trying to be able to offer many of my reconditioned, upgraded and new parts and packages again this new year. Recovery from open heart surgery is really slow.
Re: Broke my gilmer idler sheave...what now?
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 2:30 pm
by calvin
JPG:
Good idea, I will definitely keep the gilmer hub. I have 2 spare control sheaves so maybe I can sacrifice one for a new idler sheave.
As for the idler shaft itself, it's in fine condition but the bearings are shot (feels "bumpy" when I spin the shaft, with lots of resistance). Since it's a single part, I assumed I couldn't fix it beyond buying a replacement.
I wouldn't be against trying to custom fit some standard bearings on it and cutting the idler shaft's bearings off and widening the eccentric bushing to fit. Problem is I don't have anything for metal work. Closest thing is a standalone crappy drill press.
ERLover:
Thanks for the PM and the reply here, I will follow up with Bill about the parts.
Bill:
I'll shoot you an e-mail today after work! Thanks and hope your recovery is going well.
Re: Broke my gilmer idler sheave...what now?
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 3:15 pm
by JPG
calvin wrote:JPG:
Good idea, I will definitely keep the gilmer hub. I have 2 spare control sheaves so maybe I can sacrifice one for a new idler sheave.
As for the idler shaft itself, it's in fine condition but the bearings are shot (feels "bumpy" when I spin the shaft, with lots of resistance). Since it's a single part, I assumed I couldn't fix it beyond buying a replacement.
I wouldn't be against trying to custom fit some standard bearings on it and cutting the idler shaft's bearings off and widening the eccentric bushing to fit. Problem is I don't have anything for metal work. Closest thing is a standalone crappy drill press.
ERLover:
Thanks for the PM and the reply here, I will follow up with Bill about the parts.
Bill:
I'll shoot you an e-mail today after work! Thanks and hope your recovery is going well.
More effort than reasonable. The 'current' design will work, but you will also need a new eccentric.
Re: Broke my gilmer idler sheave...what now?
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 6:11 pm
by billmayo
calvin wrote:JPG:
Good idea, I will definitely keep the gilmer hub. I have 2 spare control sheaves so maybe I can sacrifice one for a new idler sheave.
As for the idler shaft itself, it's in fine condition but the bearings are shot (feels "bumpy" when I spin the shaft, with lots of resistance). Since it's a single part, I assumed I couldn't fix it beyond buying a replacement.
I wouldn't be against trying to custom fit some standard bearings on it and cutting the idler shaft's bearings off and widening the eccentric bushing to fit. Problem is I don't have anything for metal work. Closest thing is a standalone crappy drill press.
ERLover:
Thanks for the PM and the reply here, I will follow up with Bill about the parts.
Bill:
I'll shoot you an e-mail today after work! Thanks and hope your recovery is going well.
I never found any bearings that would work with the idler shaft. I recommend replacing the idler shaft if you feel any bearing problems. I spin the idler shaft bearing up to 10,000 RPMs for a few minutes to test it before using any used ones.