Shopsmith Forums

I would like to get my MARK V rebuilt. It is making a loud metal on metal noise when I increase speed. When I reach "N" speed setting, the noise starts. Please give me the contact info of a repair shop near Houston TX.

Hey, I had come across a website called MKCTools.com when I was researching Shopsmith repair service a while back. I don't really know anything about him and I haven't used him but just remembered coming across this guy when I was considering sending my headstock for repair. (I ended up doing it myself). Not sure exactly where he's at but he's got a 817-area code.

https://www.mkctools.com/repair%20service.htm

Other places to consider are not local to you but offer "mail-in" headstock repair/refurbishment services. The links to those services are listed below (in no particualr order). I haven't used either of their services either so I can't really recommend personally. These are just businesses that I've seen while looking online.

https://shopsmithrepair.com/

https://505smithrepair.com/

There may be some other individuals or businesses doing this type of work but these are the only ones that I've come across. You used to be able to send in back to Shopsmith too but I'm not sure their doing that under the new owner. Seems like they are walking away from supporting the Mark 5/V's now.

There are also a lot of DIY videos out there and this forum for support if you interested in diagnosing and repairing yourself! Good luck!

jrcole8 wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2024 5:14 pm I would like to get my MARK V rebuilt. It is making a loud metal on metal noise when I increase speed. When I reach "N" speed setting, the noise starts. Please give me the contact info of a repair shop near Houston TX.

The metallic noise may be the fan sheave on the motor rubbing against the faceplate on the motor. Mine was making a similar noise and it ended up being caused by a combination of wear on the spacer on the motor shaft and a loose set screw on the fan sheave.

Others with more experience here might be able to make other suggestions about the source of your noise...

Oh, I also saw where 817 was a Ft. Worth area code. I was thinking it was Houston.

VonZipper wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2024 8:01 pm
https://shopsmithrepair.com/

If you choose not to do it yourself, I will report I've had good dealings with James Hopp at shopsmithrepair.com

jrcole8,

Welcome to the Shopsmith Forum.

Skip Campbell at MKCTools.com has scaled back in recent years but he still sells some of his custom-made parts. You could try contacting him. The links given have you sending it to the factory as one option or sending it to Alex's Shopsmith repair is another. Realize that besides the cost of the repair you will have shipping costs both ways.

You could choose to work on it yourself. That may seem like a daunting task but is doable. There are many Shopsmith Owners with years and even decades of experience here willing to help.

One suggestion of what the problem could be is the fan sheave on the motor rubbing against the faceplate on the motor. Since the noise, as you stated, starts around the speed N I would look at other possibilities. Here are some questions that may better point us in the right direction.

Has the Headstock been serviced/lubricated recently?

Do you have an Owner's Manual for your Mark V? Maintenance instructions are in the manual.

Have you looked at it running with the Belt Cover removed? Doing that you may be able to better pinpoint where the "metal grinding on metal" sound is coming from.

Through the Inspection/Logo Plate on the back of the Headstock have you looked at the back side of the Speed Control Assembly and the Idler Sheave connection?

Posting pictures of the Motor Sheave Assembly. The Idler Shaft Assembly both the belt side and the back side and the back side of the Speed Control Assembly would help give us a visual inspection.

Another possible cause could be the bearings in either the Drive Sleeve Assembly and/or the Quill going bad.

Below is a picture of what you will see inside the Belt Cover on a Conventional Headstock. There have been some differences here over the years so don't be concerned if yours has slight differences.

_ .
From top to bottom you can see the Drive Sleeve Assembly end, the Idler Shaft end with the Sheaves behind the Headstock Casting and the Motor and Sheave Assembly at the bottom.

The picture below is looking inside the Headstock casting from the bottom with the Motor and Motor Pan removed. The arrow is pointing the the "connection" between the Speed Control and the movable Sheave of the Idler Shaft Assembly. This is what controls the speed. At the back end of the arrow is the inspection hole previously mentioned where you can see inside without removing the Motor and Pan.

_ .
Although not the cleanest the picture shows the parts in their correct positions.

jrcole8,

If you decide to send it out for repair, shopsmithguru posted in the topic Repair service that he used Alex at https://505smithrepair.com/

Here is his post from Repair service

Alex at 505smithrepair.com : A Lifesaver for My Shopsmiths!

Several years ago, I entrusted Alex at 505 Smith Repair (https://505smithrepair.com/) with rebuilding my 1994 Mark V 510 Shopsmith. Not only did he bring it back to like-new condition, but it actually ran quieter than when it was brand new!

Fast forward to recently, when I encountered display issues with a used Mark 7 Power Pro I had purchased. Remembering the good job Alex did on my first Shopsmith, I didn't hesitate to send it to him again. It was the best decision! No more waiting months for repairs at the "mother ship".

Alex's expertise is truly impressive. I think he is a retired engineer - his knowledge and skillset are top-notch!

If you're looking for a reliable Shopsmith repair specialist, look no further than Alex you won't be disappointed! https://505smithrepair.com/

Another Forum Member has also used Alex and was very happy with his work.

I pass these two recommendations along since I have not used any service to repair/recondition any Headstocks and have no recommendations of my own.