Clicking sound when running

[buckwheat]

When I run the shopsmith at slow speed I get this clicking sound. I don't notice it as much at higher speeds but it still does it. If I turn it by hand it is really loud. When I turn it by hand I turn it a ways and it goes click then turn it a little more and click again. I can't seem to pin point where its comming from. If its from the motor its looks like a major job just to remove the belt to check the motor. I removed the quill to see if thats the problem but it still does it. Maybe someone can tell me where to look or what may be causing it.

[billmayo]

When I run the shopsmith at slow speed I get this clicking sound. I don't notice it as much at higher speeds but it still does it. If I turn it by hand it is really loud. When I turn it by hand I turn it a ways and it goes click then turn it a little more and click again. I can't seem to pin point where its comming from. If its from the motor its looks like a major job just to remove the belt to check the motor. I removed the quill to see if thats the problem but it still does it. Maybe someone can tell me where to look or what may be causing it.

Remove the Logo cover and the screws from the belt cover. Slide the belt cover to the end of the way tubes. You should be able to see and hear where the noise is coming from. It is most likely coming from a bad Speed Control sheave bearing or a bad Drive Sleeve bearing. You can unhook the Control Sheave retaining loop from the quadrant and hand turn the quill to see if the noise goes away.

It is easy to remove the drive belt. Set the Speed Control Dial to FAST. Take the drive belt at the motor Floating Sheave and pull the belt and the motor Floating Sheave toward you and slowly turn the belt off the Floating Sheave. Do not let go of the Floating Sheave. Slowly allow it to close on the Fan Sheave watching your finger tips. Then you can apply power and then turn it off and listen for the noise. Reverse the procedure to install the belt on the motor sheaves.

[nuhobby]

Also, there is some chance that the Idler bearing is making the noise. If so, it could be a bad bearing, or as Bill Mayo has pointed out in the past, the upper belt is too loose or too tight. The Idler bearing (that is, the jointer-shaft one) is sort of 'balanced' by the loads of the upper and lower belts.