Shopsmith Forums

Gooday all,

I'm a brand new shopsmith owner! I picked up a 510 (I think, I has a fancy removable on/off button) a couple of months ago and have just gotten around to using it.

I'm working on a small project were I need to resaw some cedar 2x4s for a rainscreen. now cedar isn't a very hard wood but the table saw seems to bog down to the point of almost stopping! I can't even get 12" into the lumber before it slows right down! Now I'm new to SS but not to power tools and before I rip her apart I would like some input from some seasoned owners.


Here are some of my observations;


all moving parts are square, no play in shaft.
always starting motor at low revs, never changing speed while off.
no smoke or sparks.
tool is on a deticated 20A but needs to be on an 12' extension cord.
I was told it had been lubed recently... might not be true...
I've also noticed that the lower shaft on the left side is getting quite hot...

Anyways, any input would be greatly appreciated.

Here's a few ideas.

Dull blade.
Blade backwards on arbor.
Blade not tight on arbor.
Blade arbor not secure on spindle.
Failure to use splitter/riving knife and 2x4 pinching blade.
Wrong speed setting (too fast = too little torque).
Loose belts.
Bad alignment of rip fence or table to blade.

Also if it has to be on an extension cord, you will want to use a 12 gauge cord. If it is on a 16 gauge, the regular size ones that you see everywhere, it may not be getting enough power.

The aux hubs do tend to get hot, but very hot may be an indication of slipping belts.

Do not accept that it has been recently lubricated unless thee did it!

An inadequately lubricated floating sheave will cause lack of tension and belt slippage leading to hot idler shaft.