Shopsmith Forums

Had my first issue with the Power-pro head stock. I had been using it in table saw mode and noticed the upper left end was getting rather hot to the touch. Then it started making a noise. Turned out that the lower shaft accessory hub was rubbing the vent screen. I popped the cover off and saw the problem. The shaft had pulled in towards the inside of the head stock, and the belt was skewed quite a bit (think friction). A tad bit of fraying, but otherwise OK. I loosened up the eccentric clamp and slid everything back. After a gentle tightening all is well. I'm thinking that after a few years of use it would be a good idea to check these things for tightness.

I had the identical problem.

Does anyone have a safe torque value for tightening the bolt for the eccentric bushing? Should the bolt be tightened enough to completely flatten the split washer?

Thanks,

Mike

Mike907 wrote:I had the identical problem.

Does anyone have a safe torque value for tightening the bolt for the eccentric bushing? Should the bolt be tightened enough to completely flatten the split washer?

Thanks,

Mike

I do not have a Power Pro but I have heard it said about that torque value jusy exactly what you said. Just enough to flatten the splitt lock washer.

Your question doesn't apply to just the PowerPro as all of the machines have an eccentric bushing. Some different than others.

However, I do believe that right now there is an active thread discussing what happens when that shaft is not secure.

The figure, 25 inch-pounds torque, sticks in my memory from years ago. I could be wrong... but it is indeed about the right amount to flatten the washer.

- Chris

That seems about right. Just make sure that if you are using a touque wrench, it measures in inch/pounds, not foot/pounds (or you will hear a big CRACK)

I've seen a lot of reports about the PP running hot at high speeds - if there is a little misalignment, friction might be contributing to the heat issue.

My lower shaft got pushed in just last week due my negligence of not properly locking the headstock prior to raising the way tubes up and it ran into a jig I had on the left side, really stupid. It was in by almost an inch and I had a hard time getting it back out after loosening the eccentric clamp. I got it out a little bit by just pulling on the shaft with pliers but I couldn't get that last 1/4". I thought I was going to have to loosen the belts which is a big deal on a PowerPro. But instead I used a screwdriver to pry between the housing and the accessory hub until it came back into position. I re-tightened the eccentric clamp which is always a very anxious moment for me. Very few things on the shopsmith have such a catastrophic consequence as cracking the eccentric housing. All works fine now but it was excitement I didn't need.