Shopsmith Forums

Perhaps this is not the correct term.

After suffering the painful penalty of letting SS go too long between lubrication, I thought that there has to be a device that takes very little power that can be placed inline with the power cord that will record how long the Shop Smith is actually on and in use. Then one would could gauge when it is time for servicing the rotating components..

Is this reasonable, or is my O.C.D. kicking in?

Those are very common on industrial machinery and aircraft. Commonly called "Hobbs meters". Here's an inexpensive one from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Hour-Meter-PROG71 ... uctDetails

Pretty sure I read a post or two where Bill Mayo described installing an hour meter in some Shopsmiths. Maybe he will chime in.

Had one for the motor on my boat, any marine store would have them, not thinking they would be compatible with 120/240 volts.

Checked on Amazon, they had a couple rated for 120/240 volts, but it they do require some wiring on the user's part. I was hoping they'd be one that plugged into the receptacle, and then the SS would plug into that, but didn't find one.

I found (being very frugal) that a strip of masking tape can be put on the headstock - and it is very helpful to write on that tape, the last date of lubing. After a while you will get to anticipate when ten hours of use happens, and it's time to lube again..

Worked for me! Looking at that tape every day made me think of how long the machine had been running the previous day (and days). For me - working in the shop for 3 hours or so each day (every day) gave me an indication of once a month. I estimated the headstock ran about 1/10 of my time in the shop.

artman60 wrote:Checked on Amazon, they had a couple rated for 120/240 volts, but it they do require some wiring on the user's part. I was hoping they'd be one that plugged into the receptacle, and then the SS would plug into that, but didn't find one.

Yes they require wiring. You can't plug one into the socket since it will always run. You have to wire the meter into the the SS on the SS motor side of the switch. That way when when the SS is turned on the meter will be powered on and run.

Years ago, I offered an hour meter that replaced the LOGO cover on the Mark V headstock. You removed the black wire to the motor at the ON/OFF switch and connected one wire from the hour meter in its place. You connect the other hour meter wire to the removed motor wire. Then you tucked the hour wires out of the speed control assembly way. I believe I still have a couple of the hour meters laying around. However, I believe that you do not need a hour meter in the Mark V headstock. Once a year, just do a good lubrication in the headstock and check the belt tension and the belt wear as a minimum.

I use the quarter system or at least the first day that I work around those days. January 1 April 1 July 1 October 1 I lube the Shopsmiths, change the oil in my compressor and clean and inspect all my other equipment and lube anything that needs it, order parts that need replacing etc. I also run my boat and replace the fuel with fresh if I haven't had it out in a while.

mbcabinetmaker wrote:I use the quarter system or at least the first day that I work around those days. January 1 April 1 July 1 October 1 I lube the Shopsmiths, change the oil in my compressor and clean and inspect all my other equipment and lube anything that needs it, order parts that need replacing etc. I also run my boat and replace the fuel with fresh if I haven't had it out in a while.

Good to hear from thee!!!