Shopsmith Restoration #5: Started the Strip-Down

Wow, this one is a bit on the rough side. I await with excitment to see how it goes on this great machine! This isn’t your first one I am guessing?

-- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Now I’m scared….and very anxious to see the result.

-- masrol, kuala lumpur, MY.

Wow.

-- jstegall

You definitely have a challenging one there. I recommend replacing the bearings in the motor as long as it’s out. It’s not uncommon that, even though they feel good now, if it’s been sitting for many years, that you’ll get it back together & run it a few times & then the dried and/or congealed grease will cause bearing failure & you’ll have to take it apart again.

If the bearings in the upper & idler shaft or quill feel “lumpy” or tight, you can sometimes save them by warming them (not too hot) with a hand held propane torch & then putting a couple of drops of oil (I use Marvel Mystery Oil…don’t really know why, I just always have) into the bearing & spinning until it smooths out. The quick way to do this is to hold the shaft with the bearing lightly up against a buffing wheel or soft wire wheel & turn on the buffer/grinder machine. If the bearing is off the shaft, slip it over a dowel or rod. Let the wheel spin the bearing for a few minutes. I wouldn’t do that with the motor bearings, only the headstock ones. Also be aware that some motors have a different size bearing at each end of the motor shaft. (but not all motors) The difference is slight, so measure carefully.

Oh, and have fun. -SST

-- Accuracy is not in your power tool, it's in you

Thanks for the pointers SSTom.

Hacksaw – You are wrong, this is my first one, and it is a lot on the rough side :-)

-- I may be schizophrenic, but at least I have each other.

I hope the motor is still functional under all that… I’d figure a way to mount and run it outside of the machinery and give it some thorough testing before committing to it.

-- Derek, Bremerton WA --

According to the label, the motor is switchable 115/220vac. Wish they had left them that way.

-- Making Sawdust Safely

Sorry about the end casting. Is that a piece you can easily get a replacement for?

I love seeing old arn restored but this one does look like a rough one!

-- "Find out what you cannot do and then go do it!"

EEngineer - The casting is very easy to replace. ShopSmith still sells new parts for machines dating back to the early ‘50’s, and if you don’t like their prices, there is a ton of used stuff on eBay in decent condition.

I don’t have to replace this part, as the Taiwanese clone I have has one in good condition.

-- I may be schizophrenic, but at least I have each other.