Shopsmith Forums

After 14 years off total use of my Mark 5, I made the sad mistake off letting someone use my machine while working on our house.
I explained the shutdown procedure and thought the person understood.
I returned to find it off and the speed cobtrol was at the Dado speed seyting.
I knew I had a potential problem so I thought I would try starting it where it was set. It start but running at about 10% of DADO speed. I attempted to move it toward slow and I could barely move the control. Also began to hear a lot of knocking sound from the power head.

From anyone who has done this please advise as to where do I start ???
Thanks members for any help. There may be some printed procedural info I can find.

If you have a sanding disc, put it on and turn it by hand as you slowly, in conjuncture with turning the sanding disc, to slow speed, dont force the speed control dial. then when you get to slow start it up and report in.

ERLover wrote:If you have a sanding disc, put it on and turn it by hand as you slowly, in conjuncture with turning the sanding disc, to slow speed, dont force the speed control dial. then when you get to slow start it up and report in.

Thanks so much, I'll start there and see what happens.
Will advise !!

Un plug it.

Turn the speed control knob to fast(it should turn fairly easily).

Rotate the quill by hand(a sanding disc helps).

It should turn freely. Listen for strange noises.

If all is not well, a look inside is needed.

Assuming it IS all well, slowly adjust towards slow while rotating the quill.

It should be somewhat stiff, but as the pulleys rotate it loosens up.

Again listen.

Ditto the look inside if not all well.

Assuming you get to slow, plug it in and try to start. Be prepared to shut it off quickly if strange noises occur.


It might be a good idea to look inside before doing any of this. If you do not know what to look for, take a pix and post it here.

Remove the back side logo to gain visual access to the innards.

I appreciate the advice. I will follow these hints and report or post a pic of what I find.

ERLover wrote:If you have a sanding disc, put it on and turn it by hand as you slowly, in conjuncture with turning the sanding disc, to slow speed, dont force the speed control dial. then when you get to slow start it up and report in.

I have taken this step by step and following your suggestions.
I blame myself for allowing someone to use it without them being familiar with the correct operating procedures.
I attempted to work the speed control back toward slow but am having significant resistance from both the wheel and the quill. Some obvious noise within the motor body. If I turn the sanding disc just slightly backwards and then forward, the wheel moves maybe and inch or so and then both get tight again.
Sounds like I may have a real problem, because of my stupidity

OK, time to look inside.

Remove the belt cover.(after unplugging it)

It is difficult to see, but I suspect the motor belt is stuck between the vanes of the control sheave and idler sheave.

To release it requires the control sheave to be as far 'fast' as possible. It may be necessary to remove the speed control to allow even further opening of the pulley.

I realize it is difficult, but removing the belt off the motor pulley will help determine/fix this if the belt is jammed in the idler pulley. Manually pulling the floating sheave open so the belt slacks will help.

Pulling on the belt(trying to rotate it) will verify if the belt is jammed in the idler pulley.

I realize this is not a step by step procedure, but gets you to verifying the problem and how to fix it.


It is possible the 'loanee' ran it up to full speed and turned it off by mistake?

The noise has me concerned that all this may be wishful thinking re cause. Hopefully that is unfounded.

Pix will help!!!

I meant to upload 3 pix but I think I sent before I got the other 2 up. As It turns out it is telling me the single photo is to large a file.
I may be able send them to you if zi have your number.
As far as you know, in the original manuals is this problem covered as I have all the original documentation.

Check your PM!

Hopefully the PMS came through. I sent 3 separate ones.