Shopsmith Forums

Ok so new here and my father and I have been round and round with this problem. We just replaced the quadrant assembly and put a new drive belt on. This was done thinking it would allow the speed to be dialed down past H ( this was the problem to start). Now after doing this and lubricating everything that we could; it will dial up in speed almost past fast but will not dial down past K. Have not tried, but will, the high-speed adjustment, although once dialed down to K there is an almost like grinding noise coming from the control sheave; which leads me to believe it is not just a high-speed adjustment. Hope someone has a good answer to this.

Thank you,
Woodwise guys

Quick update, we did a high-speed adjustment which changed where the speed control gauge is but not the rate of speed. It is now dialing down to H and sitting at approximately 1500 to 1700 RPM. During the high-speed adjustment, we notice that the belt only came out to a 1/4" from the edge of the motor pully, not the 1/8 to 1/16" as it says. The motor seemed to be topped out at the high speed also.

Woodwise guys

1) OEM motor belt??

2) High speed adjustment is done with the motor belt 1/8 to 1/16 as the Starting point.

3) The dial indication means nothing unless set properly AFTER the high spreed adjustment.

You may need to post some pics so we can see what is going on. First question is where did you get the replacement belt? The fit is important to having full range of speed control. When you adjust toward a lower speed the control is driving the upper sheaves together which causes the lower (motor) sheaves to separate. Binding of one of the sheaves on its shaft is a likely possibility. IIWM I'd start by taking off the lower belt and checking freedom of movement of the floating sheave on the motor shaft, which is under spring tension, and freedom of movement of the control sheave on the idler shaft, which you can move with the speed control. There are other things that can cause your problem, but this should narrow it down considerably.

- David

The belt was ordered from ShopSmith to make sure it was the right size and that fit was right.
On the high-speed adjustment, the speed was turned as far as we could get it even with adjusting the stop.

We went back out to the shop and took off the lower belt, again, and made sure the floating sheave was free for movement. As doing this we added more oil. Also, took the belt off the top and checked the movement of the control sheave, yet again adding more oil. Our thoughts "This is the millionth time of doing this what is going to change???" yet we proceeded. Put everything back and flipped the switch.... It went right down to A and was running like a top. Thank you for your comments and suggestions.

A little back story, my father bought this Mark V brand new in 1979 or '80. Being that it is 42 years old and from his memory, he only took it apart like this once and at that time did some lubrication. That was 20 years ago.... With that said we think that for the fact it was so dry and sucking up the oil like a sponge. With the lube being worked in so much it finally got to all the right parts. In that now I can get back to work on making more pens! Thank you again!