Shopsmith Forums

I have a 1st Gen PowerPro headstock which I inherited from my father-in-law. When I turn in on and set it for any operations, it maxes out at 2500 rpms and immediately drops down to around 1200 rpms. Has anyone ran into this issue? Is it a DIY fix? Do I upgrade?

aneerick wrote: Fri Aug 09, 2024 5:16 pm I have a 1st Gen PowerPro headstock which I inherited from my father-in-law. When I turn in on and set it for any operations, it maxes out at 2500 rpms and immediately drops down to around 1200 rpms. Has anyone ran into this issue? Is it a DIY fix? Do I upgrade?

Are you getting any kind of error message or error code? It should be displaying commanded RPM and actual RPM unless there is an error message. I've never seen anything like what you describe, but you might try cleaning the RPS circuits (optical or IR transceivers). To do that you'd need to remove the plastic fan cover at the rear of the motor, and ideally remove the fan itself. Make sure the non-fan side of the fan is clean and that none of the features are broken or damaged, then gently clean the optical devices with compressed air or alcohol. If this doesn't help, then IIWM I would remove the lower belt (motor to idler) and test the motor and electronics with the rest of the headstock not spinning. (Should reach commanded RPM on the display.) There isn't much else in there for user maintenance. Removing the fan from the shaft requires a 2.5mm hex key, it's a pretty small setscrew. IIRC there is also a snap ring.

- David