Shopsmith Forums

I'm very excited to have just brought home a mid seventies Mark V.

I grew up with an early 50's model which is still running for my grandfather.

I'm having an issue, though. The speed control is damaged, or needs maintenance. I knew about this before purchasing the unit.

With the power on, though, if the speed control crank isn't turned to the right adjustment, it's like the spindle won't even engage and turn.

Is this a common problem with speed controls? Hoping some cleaning and lubrication will help.

SaturnMarkV wrote:I'm very excited to have just brought home a mid seventies Mark V.

I grew up with an early 50's model which is still running for my grandfather.

I'm having an issue, though. The speed control is damaged, or needs maintenance. I knew about this before purchasing the unit.

With the power on, though, if the speed control crank isn't turned to the right adjustment, it's like the spindle won't even engage and turn.

Is this a common problem with speed controls? Hoping some cleaning and lubrication will help.

Could be!

That it turns at any setting is encouraging. What setting is that?

I am guessing that the floating sheave is stuck with the motor pulley open. That would be near/= to slow.

If so remove the belt cover and oil the floating sheave. It needs to be free to 'float' in/out.


Second gunked floating sheave this week!

Do not be stingy with the oil.(zoom spout/3 in 1/sewing machine/#10 /turbine oil . . .)

And also oil the control sheave.

HI SATURN..
As you are new here's some information:

FLOATING SHEAVE - The large pulley flange outside of the motor. It is on a shaft extending from the motor and should slide out smoothly. Don't let this sheave slam back into the motor sheave. The shaft is spring loaded!

CONTROL SHEAVE - This sheave is located in the "heart" near the center of the headstock. It's movement is controlled by the speed control, by way of gears and a little metal hoop on the end of the sheave's shaft. Damage happens to the metal loop by turning the speed control while the motor is NOT moving..

I love how much information there is here. I've downloaded the manuals.

Last night I had a chance to pull off the speed control and spray some penetrating oil on the sheaves.The speed control and loop on the shaft looked okay. We'll see. Loving tinkering with it.