Shopsmith Forums

I apologize if it's out of place to ask a Total Shop question in this forum, but there seems to be discussion about them here.

I was given a Total Shop by a friend who didn't know its status.

When I got it to start spinning (had to give it a spin with my hand after turning it on) it got to running okay. But the speed dial on the front began to have random effects on the the actual speed.

Sometimes turning it can make a difference, sometimes just a slight turn makes what seems to be a huge difference. Sometimes it feels random.

Any ideas about what I'm dealing with given this particular problem. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Thank you.

If it's similar to the shopsmith speed dial I would guess the gear on the inside of the speed dial is stripped and catching only occasionally.

I had to replace my shopsmith dial once, however I am unsure if you can get a spare total shop dial. This is why I like shopsmith, replacement parts for 60 year old machines readily available.

Unfortunately we recently lost our (other brands) expert. You will have to educate us with pictures so we can know what you are dealing with. Realize we will be offering 'educated' guesses. Fear not we like challenges even with non-SS stuff.

Welcome!

As JPG stated we lost Bill Mayo earlier this year who was the Other Brands expert.

I have listed below a link to a post in a thread about TotalShop he made some time back about them.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... 35#p143635

Once you read what he wrote, browse up and down the posts in that thread and I believe you will find the most relevant information Bill passed on to TotalShop owners needing to repair things.

He wrote also that he had, using his machine shop, modified a Shopsmith Speed Control in an attempt to repair a TotalShop one. Expensive and time consuming.

His recommendation in the post above is the most sustainable solution I believe.

Everett

Thank you for the responses.

Here is a link to a video of the tool spinning and me turning the dial. Seems like in this video (especially near the end) it's slowing when it should be speeding up and speeding up when it should be slowing down.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3WkDz ... sp=sharing

I guess my main question would be is it safe to use it if it keeps spinning under a load? I wouldn't think there's a chance of something flying out of it? (I've put the cover back on it now)

PS - So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend.

The condition of the belt I suspect is relevant.

When a shopsmith belt is less than 1/2 wide across the face, it runs deeper in the sheaves at either end of the speed range. I don't know the spec for the TotalShop belt, but I would look at it's condition, as well as lubricating and cleaning the machine similar to a Shopsmith.

Everett

Near the top end, it is slipping or something that is causing the speed decrease. As you adjusted it down, the slipping or whatever ceased and the speed resumed. I would be concerned about the rattle at the upper end(not normal I am sure). It likely is related to the slopping/speed decrease.