Shopsmith Forums

I have a couple of the Shopsmith Power Stands (not power stations) and they each have an Emerson motor (1/2hp). I see there's a small yellow plug that says "oil"...... I don't have a manual for these and if anyone know what type of oil and how much should I add? I purchased these a few years back and I'm just now getting around to putting them to use so they have been sitting a while and I don't know the last time they were oiled. Any help would be appreciated.

hdoilcan wrote:I have a couple of the Shopsmith Power Stands (not power stations) and they each have an Emerson motor (1/2hp). I see there's a small yellow plug that says "oil"...... I don't have a manual for these and if anyone know what type of oil and how much should I add? I purchased these a few years back and I'm just now getting around to putting them to use so they have been sitting a while and I don't know the last time they were oiled. Any help would be appreciated.

#10 machine oil - same as for sheaves.

Thanks JPG

Any petroleum oil that flows into the hole works great. Just don't use olive oil or vegetable oil.

garys wrote:Any petroleum oil that flows into the hole works great. Just don't use olive oil or vegetable oil.

Or oil of olay!

If the motors have been sitting for awhile (like several years) you might want to run them for a few hours unloaded. This to drive moisture out of the insulation. Wished had done that with the 510 bought from the Habitat store. Ran it a couple of times then failed the motor when went to really use it. The electrical guys in industry will Megger a used motor to test the insulation. We would often run a motor for several days and readings would much improve. Something I recalled after the fact per the 510. An Emerson too, by the way. Anyway, a thought.

Placing a motor in a 'warm' oven(or setting in the sunshine on a hot day) will do as well as running and not include the risk(insulation breakdown
) that causes it to fail if not done.

Is varnish hygroscopic?

Fish paper insulation is!