Shopsmith Forums

Thankfully I enjoy working on my mid 70s Shop Smith.

Recently pursued advice regarding stiff floating sheaves on the drive shaft, resulting in the wearing of the V-belt on the way tube.

So in taking off the spring, I've been working the floating sheave up and down over the shaft. It moves well. When pressed tight against the motor sheave, it becomes more difficult to seperate.

I can still pull it off with my hand without too much effort, though I'm wondering Olof this stiffness is causing the lack of separation.

There's no burrs. Instead, it feels as if the parts stick together so perfectly, there's almost a 'suction'.

Any thoughts on how to fix, if indeed it needs fixing?

I would be suspicious of a bent key.

I assume the vanes on the sheaves are not touching/jamming.

Any burr could also cause that.

The floating sheave should be easy sliding over the full length. Check that the vanes are not binding and causing your difficulty. This can happen if either sheave has been replaced. You may have to remove the floating sheave to determine why it is binding when closed. The belt and sheave dust is pushed on the motor shaft toward the fan sheave and will build up inside the floating sheave which can cause binding over time. I have found that I need to use a fine grit sandpaper or emery cloth to clean the inside of the floating sheave at the vane end to clear this build up belt and vane dust.