Shopsmith Forums

While cleaning and oiling the headstock on my 2005 Mark V, I discovered belt dust in the top of the Headstock Housing Assembly and in the top of the Belt Cover Assembly. I don't know how to gauge whether the buildup is significant and perhaps this isn't a real problem. However, if I do have a problem starting I would like to resolve it ASAP.

I presume I could use some belt dressing, but that seems too simple. What have some of you other forum members done to address this type of situation?

Charlie wrote:While cleaning and oiling the headstock on my 2005 Mark V, I discovered belt dust in the top of the Headstock Housing Assembly and in the top of the Belt Cover Assembly. I don't know how to gauge whether the buildup is significant and perhaps this isn't a real problem. However, if I do have a problem starting I would like to resolve it ASAP.

I presume I could use some belt dressing, but that seems too simple. What have some of you other forum members done to address this type of situation?

I am waiting to view the answers that you get here. I am sure that I have had some belt dust. This just has to happen as the belts wear. But I have never had an accumulation that I would notice. My Mark V is nearly twenty years old and I just recently changed the first drive belt. I kept the old one because it wasn't all that bad and I figure I could always put it back or into a different machine.

Hi,

My 2007 Mark V occasionally exhibits some belt dust, and I probably have noticed it each time I've opened it up for maintenance. I haven't worried about it, other than just double-checking the tension of the Poly-V belt. Most likely you're OK!

Charlie wrote:While cleaning and oiling the headstock on my 2005 Mark V, I discovered belt dust in the top of the Headstock Housing Assembly and in the top of the Belt Cover Assembly. I don't know how to gauge whether the buildup is significant and perhaps this isn't a real problem. However, if I do have a problem starting I would like to resolve it ASAP.

I presume I could use some belt dressing, but that seems too simple. What have some of you other forum members done to address this type of situation?

I would blow out the sawdust and any belt dust by removing the belt housing every 6 months or so depending on how much you use the Shopsmith. I lubicate the headstock at the same time. I just removed a drive belt from a headstock that was less than 1/4" wide (normal is 1/2" wide) that was still operating. He has lost the slower and higher speeds but did not notice it as it happen over a long period of time. If the Shipsmith is not used often or even less, the belts appears to dry out and/or harden and can start making noises. I look for belt problems whenever I remove the belt housing by slowly rotating the belts and look for cracks and pieces missing. I use belt dressing on new and used belts whenever I repair, rebuild or lubicate a headstock. This helps reduce or eliminate any belt noise. As long as the belts are not having strings/fibers hanging off them or have chunks/pieces missing, I do not replace them in my personal Shopsmiths.

Charlie wrote:While cleaning and oiling the headstock on my 2005 Mark V, I discovered belt dust in the top of the Headstock Housing Assembly and in the top of the Belt Cover Assembly. I don't know how to gauge whether the buildup is significant and perhaps this isn't a real problem. However, if I do have a problem starting I would like to resolve it ASAP.

I presume I could use some belt dressing, but that seems too simple. What have some of you other forum members done to address this type of situation?

Are you referring to a problem of the SS itself 'starting' or a problem with YOU starting to use it.

In either case it would be in order to check the belt TENSION.

Reaching in thru the 'medallion' hole(after un pluging power cord) see how far the polyv belt deflect with slight pressure. It should be about 1/8".

If you are more adventurous, you can adjust it.

I refer you to saw dust session # 23 or the manual(if you have one).

If you cant do the manual or # 23 holler HELP and you will get it!:)

Some belt dust is normal! If the SS does not slip while starting up or under HEAVY load the tension is probably OK!

P.S. Pay attention to BILL!!!!!

jpg40504 wrote:Are you referring to a problem of the SS itself 'starting' or a problem with YOU starting to use it.


P.S. Pay attention to BILL!!!!!

He's trying to be proactive. Correct the belt dust problem before it gets worse.

billmayo wrote:I would blow out the sawdust and any belt dust by removing the belt housing every 6 months or so depending on how much you use the Shopsmith. I lubicate the headstock at the same time. I just removed a drive belt from a headstock that was less than 1/4" wide (normal is 1/2" wide) that was still operating. He has lost the slower and higher speeds but did not notice it as it happen over a long period of time. If the Shipsmith is not used often or even less, the belts appears to dry out and/or harden and can start making noises. I look for belt problems whenever I remove the belt housing by slowly rotating the belts and look for cracks and pieces missing. I use belt dressing on new and used belts whenever I repair, rebuild or lubicate a headstock. This helps reduce or eliminate any belt noise. As long as the belts are not having strings/fibers hanging off them or have chunks/pieces missing, I do not replace them in my personal Shopsmiths.

Bill

Do I remember ,talking to you in Dayton open house, that a link belt can be used on the Shopsmith? If so, do you know how many links? In your opinion is it any better?

Thank you, gentlemen! I appreciate the quick informative responses. Sounds like keeping the machine clean and a little belt dressing are the way to go.

In the interest of fleshing out this thread (mostly because I have no clue, and suspect that others might not know either), what is "belt dressing"? Where does one acquire it? How is it applied, and how often?

The only stupid question is the one not asked!

cincinnati wrote:Bill

Do I remember ,talking to you in Dayton open house, that a link belt can be used on the Shopsmith? If so, do you know how many links? In your opinion is it any better?

I have been using 35 links of the Powertwist Link belt for the motor belt. I started out using 36 links but after a while, the link belt would start touching the headstock casing around the top of the control/idler sheave. You do not want the belt going above the outside edge of the control/idler sheaves at the slowest speed. I try for around 1/8" below the outside edges. That is the nice thing about link belts is that they are always adjustable.

As for my humble opinion, YES. I use PowerTwist/link/flex belts on all my personal Shopsmiths and all my belt driven equipment. The lack of vibration even after the headstock sets after a couple months makes this belt worth the money to me. I have not seen any excessive wear on the sheaves or belts in the past 4 years, and it does keep the sheave fins shiney.