Shopsmith Forums

I'm a new Shopsmith owner (1982 vintage MK-V just acquired via Craigslist) but know my way around woodworking machines fairly well. I have the MK-V headstock all cleaned up and lubricated and the way tubes are now shiny and smooth, so the bandsaw is next.

This bandsaw has a cast iron table, model 505641, S/N SS88233. It's in generally decent shape and doesn't look abused. However, it looks like somebody was halfway through a rebuild. The spring clips on the top wheel axle and the arm pivot are missing, as is the tension spring.

Some questions:

1) Both wheels have a little wobble in them (top wheel 1/32" at rim, bottom wheel half that). Time for new bearings? They seem to run smoothly.

2) I know that SS bandsaw tires are not your usual crowned shape. My top tire has a profile like a lazy-S, high on the back half of the tire and low on the front half. The bottom tire looks more or less flat, but still a little lazy-S wave to the profile. How do I know if I need new tires?

3) The blade backup bearings (all three) run pretty stiff, but smooth. Might just be sawdust and pitch. Are these sealed bearings, or can I clean and lube them?

4) There is a tapped hole on the inside of the body casting just above the bottom axle. It is suspiciously clean as if there used to be a bolt or stud mounted into it. I can't tell from the SS exploded parts diagram whether anything belongs there. Anybody know?

Some answers I hope:
1. I would not worry about that small amount of wobble. Run it some and see.

2. Tires I replaced had cross wise small cracks. IMHO, your tires are ok.

3. If your bearings are barrel shaped, they have bronze bushings and just need oiling. If they are shiny cylinders they are sealed.

4. You seem to be missing parts 30,30a and 31:
[ATTACH]13238[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]13239[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]13240[/ATTACH]
I expect (hope )others with other opinions will chime in here.
EDIT: note that the above diagram is a screen copy from an old Magna bandsaw manual and may not match the part numbers of today's Shopsmith version.

The tires are not hard or cracked, so I think I'll just put things back together and see how it runs. And yes, it looks like I'm missing the bearing retainer on the lower wheel. It seems both wheels were pulled at some point and related small parts were lost. Hopefully the SS people stock spares!

Could the bearing retainer parts be replaced with a bolt, lock washer, and a fender washer of appropriate size?

Yes, probably I could adapt a fender washer and bolt as the bearing retainer (now that I have Peter's very clear photo) but since I have to order some other missing bits from Shopsmith (like the tensioning spring) I think I'll spring for the real SS part (if they have it).