Shopsmith Forums

my shopsmith ran fine earlier in the day, but now the machine starts up for about 5-10 seconds and the trips a breaker. Nothing smells burnt, just wondering if anybody has an idea how to fix this problem

bthandyman wrote:my shopsmith ran fine earlier in the day, but now the machine starts up for about 5-10 seconds and the trips a breaker. Nothing smells burnt, just wondering if anybody has an idea how to fix this problem

Do you have the Mark V plugged into the same circuit (wall outlet) as it was plugged into earlier?

Do you know what other equipment is plugged into that same circuit?

Are you now using an extension cord that you were not using earlier?

When it "starts up", is the blade actually turning or is the motor just humming?

BigSky wrote:Do you have the Mark V plugged into the same circuit (wall outlet) as it was plugged into earlier?

Do you know what other equipment is plugged into that same circuit?

Are you now using an extension cord that you were not using earlier?

When it "starts up", is the blade actually turning or is the motor just humming?

ALL Good Questions!

Add where is the speed control set? It needs to be run down to slow b4 turning off. It has to work much harder(draw more electrical current) to start up at higher speed settings.

Put the sander disc on and spin it by hand as you slowly return the speed dial to low speed.

It draws too much power to start at high speed.
We're guessing that's what the problem is.

bthandyman wrote:my shopsmith ran fine earlier in the day, but now the machine starts up for about 5-10 seconds and the trips a breaker. Nothing smells burnt, just wondering if anybody has an idea how to fix this problem

If none of the previous suggestions work, I would slide the belt housing to the end of the way tubes and set the speed control dial to FAST, Rotate the belt off the floating sheave but do not let the floating sheave go, ease it close. Turn the motor on and let operate for a while to see if you still have the problem. At this time, I would put the sanding disk on the quill shaft and see how free does it rotate. Should not have any trouble turning the disk and it should be free to turn without any hangups.

The last Shopsmith I fixed with a similar problem had the centrifugal switch points stuck/welded together so the start windings stayed energized.