Shopsmith Forums

When I hold the shaft end where the saw blade attaches on my Mark V, I find I can twist it back and forth a small amount and make a clicking noise. I don't remember this behavior from before. What part needs to be repaired? Or is this normal?

I tried to upload a short video with this.

Thanks
Ruth

You have described backlash/play between the splined quill shaft, nylon connector, which is held stationary by the belts and the motor and the idler pulley. It is an indication of wear, but could also be caused by a loose setscrew in the fan sheave or the upper shaft pulley/drive sleeve.(not likely however).

Belt slack is another more likely potential culprit.

To verify/eliminate the coupler as the source, determine if the backlash exists between the quill shaft and the upper aux shaft.

It is typical of units with sufficient operating time.

EDIT Added drive sleeve pulley

shopsmith list a quill upgrade for units with the poly v belt on the website

I need to add that I do not consider moderate coupler backlash to be worrisome and total elimination to be unlikely.

Loose setscrew is another matter and should be corrected!

The coupler backlash becomes meaningful if one attempts the use an index wheel mounted on the aux shaft rather than directly on the quill shaft.

Thanks for the replies. Turned out that my belt was loose and just needed to be tightened. You all got me thinking about checking the maintenance steps for the motor.

Thanks,
Ruth