Shopsmith Forums

I brought home a Mark V that was bought new in the 80's and never used. The machine was kept in a heated/finished basement and has all the attachments etc. Before starting the Mark V, I oiled it, as described in the manual. Seemed to run fine thru the speeds. Any other recommendations or suggestions? Should I be concern about the bearings sitting for so long ? Thanks in advance..Joe

Joe
welcome to the fun house. I would be listening for any sounds of bearing failure. The grease in the bearings may have dried out by now. If it were mine I would do a complete rebuild. But I do my own and I am familiar with them. The bearings are not expensive so I use higher quality and sealed bearings rather than the shielded ones. Can you update your profile with your location? Never know when someone is near enough to lend a hand. Keep asking questions as there are a lot folks on this forum that will have the answers you need
Bill V

jdonovan wrote:I brought home a Mark V that was bought new in the 80's and never used. The machine was kept in a heated/finished basement and has all the attachments etc. Before starting the Mark V, I oiled it, as described in the manual. Seemed to run fine thru the speeds. Any other recommendations or suggestions? Should I be concern about the bearings sitting for so long ? Thanks in advance..Joe

I don't think you have to worry about the bearings. I would just run it on slow for 10 minutes or so to redistribute the grease. I have to disagree with Bill a machine that old that has not been used does not a complete rebuild.

However, since you have run it already I think you are fine.

Since the bearings have no wear (never used), if the grease in them has dried out you could try adding some new grease using this method posted by Francis Robinson.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... 517#p41517

One not already familiar with the SS will not be looking forward to exploring into the realm of bearing refurbishing/replacing.

I agree that if they are not complaining they do not need attention.

Besides they can be replaced if and when they do complain.

Oiling both movable sheaves will probably be sufficient at this time(and as often as every 10 hours of running time).

Welcome to the forum, and do be careful if you do not have much experience with power machinery.

I agree with most, just run it and enjoy it. If the bearings start making noise, do what is necessary, otherwise just make sawdust.

Did you get any other attachments (SPT's) with it? (bandsaw, beltsander, jointer, etc?)

I concur with all the other adviced. If it sat that long the belts may have gotten a "set" in them, but with running on low should work out.
Enjoy, when and if you need work done on it it is real easy here with all the experience and an easy machine to rebuild, and the Mother Ship (MS), Shop Smith, is real user friendly on tech and customer service.

As you oil it frequency after each 10 hours use, observe the belts as some get a bit brittle and start shedding material. They aren't certain to do that, and fairly inexpensive to replace.

Keep it clean, waxed and oiled and it should be fine.

Everett

Congrats on the find. I too got my 88 Mark V unused. I made the noobie mistake of turning the speed control without the motor running. I had to replace the motor. However everything else worked great. I too just oiled it as instructed. I don't think you have worry about the bearings either.