Shopsmith Forums

Hello All,

Bottom Line Up Front: How am I supposed to attach a pulley to a cutterhead shaft that doesn't have a keyway?

I have recently acquired a used Shopsmith Planer, and I am having some issues. It started to bog down at the slightest load, so I figured I just needed to sharpen the knives. However as I was going through the tune-up process, I realized the issues was more likely a loose cutterhead pulley, which I as able to remove with no tools. I bought it on craigslist and don't have a manual, all the manuals I have seen online show that there is a keyway in the cutterhead. Mine only has a flat (picture below).

As you can see below, there are marks on the shaft from it just being held on with the set screw. I've also included a picture of the pulley that was on there. It appears like there is room for something below, the set screw, but I don't know what.

I tried calling, but the guy I talked to didn't seem to have any interest/ideas on how to help.

I'd appreciate any help or directions you guys could give.

Thanks,
Greg

Sorry the pulley picture didn't go through the first time.

For References the Model# is M5990 and the serial # is 01074.

First, welcome to the forum. Next the shaft has a reverse taper(flat) at about ten o'clock. Next the pulley looks to be beyond repair. I would clean up the shaft and install a new pulley. Worst case would be to get a new cutter head. Ouch

I can't find any reference to Model M5990 for a Shopsmith Planer but the serial number 01074 would be from Nov. 82 for a Mark V mounted Planer (part # 505990) or June 85 for the ProPlaner version (part # 555082). The Mark V mounted Planer would not have a keyway on the shaft and many of these Planers were mounted to stands with their own motor. Currently the recommended pulley sizes are 3" and 5" to operate at the correct cutting speed. There is a Planer pulley upgrade kit available and the pulley change increases the cutter speed. As for attaching the pulley, the set screw should seat in the reverse taper flat of the shaft. The pulley is a standard motor pulley that can go on a shaft with a square or woodruff key but is not needed for it to be used.

GregG wrote:Hello All,

Bottom Line Up Front: How am I supposed to attach a pulley to a cutterhead shaft that doesn't have a keyway?

I have recently acquired a used Shopsmith Planer, and I am having some issues. It started to bog down at the slightest load, so I figured I just needed to sharpen the knives. However as I was going through the tune-up process, I realized the issues was more likely a loose cutterhead pulley, which I as able to remove with no tools. I bought it on craigslist and don't have a manual, all the manuals I have seen online show that there is a keyway in the cutterhead. Mine only has a flat (picture below).

As you can see below, there are marks on the shaft from it just being held on with the set screw. I've also included a picture of the pulley that was on there. It appears like there is room for something below, the set screw, but I don't know what.

I tried calling, but the guy I talked to didn't seem to have any interest/ideas on how to help.

I'd appreciate any help or directions you guys could give.

Thanks,
Greg

The damaged shaft tells the entire story. The set screw has come loose and scarred the shaft all the way around. However, I don't believe all is lost. I would start by filing the flat smooth and get a set screw with a flat face. Not pointed and not ball shaped. Put the pulley back on, make certain that the setscrew mates with that flat and tighten it down. This should keep the pulley from turning without the shaft turning also.

For this sort of application a key wall is preferable but is not absolutely necessary. If this seems like it might be working, I recommend a "small" amount of "blue" lock tight (aka locktite) on the screw threads.

Try to position the pulley on the shaft so that the setscrew does not engage the scar that goes all the way around the shaft.

First step is to clean up the shaft. It is unclear to me if the soft pulley has 'galled' onto the shaft of if it was scarred(gouged) by a loose set screw. The flat needs to be 'flattened' (remove high spots, but leave low spots). The od of the shaft needs to be preserved as much as possible.

Throw the pulley in the garbage, or give it someone you dislike.

They are expensive, but a good quality steel pulley is much much better. Also 3 1/2" seems a bit large(assuming 'normal' motor pulley/motor).

From the model # I believe you have a SS mount planer. The table should be stainless steel clad cast aluminum.

I do not think a key is 'needed', but I would prefer one. In any event your shaft does not have a keyway so an unkeyed pulley is preferred.

Wow - Thanks for the answers guys.

So my followup question would be this. Can I get the pulleys from shopsmith? Happy to pay the $40 for 2 pulleys and a new belt, but it's unclear to me if those will work, given that the shaft is unkeyed.

Or, do I need to get a 3 and 5 inch standard motor pulley from somewhere else?
Like this:
https://www.mcmaster.com/#6245k616/=1bbpg1l

Additionally a couple more pictures JIC they are helpful. Again, thanks for taking the time to help!

-Greg

It appears you have a SS mount planer mounted on a power stand.

What is the HP of the motor?

What is the size of the motor pulley?

The pulley you showed is better than the one you took off. It still is not steel. I should have said cast iron. ($ $)

I would go with this line of pulleys.

The 'correct' pulley sizes depend upon the motor HP rating.

Also I consider a 1/2" belt to be more suitable for the HP involved.(5/8" more gooder)

Hi Greg,
I did believe you that you have Model M5990, unfortunately I have never seen a reference between Model Numbers and Part Numbers assigned to the same tool. Now we know that Planer Model M5990 is also part # 505990 as listed in the 1982 catalog. JPG has asked what HP the motor is to find out if it is under powered. My Shopsmith ProPlaner, made in 1992, has a 1-3/4 HP Motor which is the size they come with. The ProPlaner is the complete stand mounted version and not the Mark V mounted version put on a stand. Shopsmith sold a lot of stands for the SPT's so they could be used without a Mark V. The Jig Saw wouldn't need as much Horse Power as your Planer so there were different motors available. The standard stand (Jig Saw, Jointer, Belt Sander, Band Saw) had a 1/2 HP motor and the Planer specific stand had a 1-1/2 HP motor.