Unregistered wroteI have a shopsmith that was made in the eighties......with a new blade the thing can"t even rip a 2x4. is there something wrong.....or is that normal.
Yes something is wrong. My SS will rip a 2x4's like butter.
I agree with the other Ed (two Ed's are better than one) (oh please forgive me that pun) we need more information.
Where is your SS in relation to the main power feed.
Do you us extension cords? If so what gauge and how long?
What else is on the circuit with the SS?
What exactly happens? Is there smoking from the motor? From the blade.
How far into the rip do you get before you begin to have problems?
Is the wood clamping back down on the blade? Are you using a splitter?
How is power for other things? Is the blade mounted turning the correct direction? (don't laugh nearly drove myself crazy trying to figure out what was wrong with a band saw once)
What kind of wood? Is it pressure treated? Once the cut is made is the wood straight or cork screwed?
About the blade what kind is it? I once bought a blade made one cut with it and took it back, it was nearly worthless. Store told me I was crazy but they tested it on their machine they agreed the blade was junk. Opened and tested a few hanging on the pegs and sent the whole shippment back to the manufacture.
How are the belts inside the SS is cog belt tight enough? Too tight? At what speed are you trying to do this. Does it work better if you slow the machine down? How about if you speed it up?
Answer a few of the questions above and let us know as much of the symptoms as you can and I'm sure we will be able to at least steer you in the right direction.
Ed
