fiatben
03-18-2010, 10:59 AM
As the brand new owner of Mark V sn292284, built March 1955, I am trying to give it the respect (and attention) it deserves. And while I have been reading thru the posts to the forum nightly and learning much, it seems I can't find the answers I need (although I'm sure they're in there somewhere.)
I should clarify, I'm a newbie, but this is my 2nd Shopsmith. I bought one, used, about 12-15 years ago while living in another city in what seems like another life. It was a great deal because it included almost every accessories available. Also, at that time there was a Shopsmith store in town!!! Talk about convenience. However, at that time I was much younger and my only concern was that I knew how to turn it on and how to change between tools. Maintenance and alignment were not concepts I understood so well. Alas, circumstances resulted in my selling the entire unit along with it's band saw, jointer, belt sander, etc. But it left good memories and a longing to someday have one again.
Ten days ago that dream was realized. However, the reality is that I've got a lot less machine this time. It only came with the band saw, and is missing the power coupling at that.
Long story short (I know, too late, huh?), I'm in the process of going thru the machine and trying to lube, tighten, loosen, align, clean, restore, etc. This leads me to my band saw questions.
The band saw is a Magna with a plastic front cover (somewhat busted, but serviceable). The only information I can find is a label on the inside of the cover that has a copyright of 1958 and a number at the bottom of EM-9118 12:57, which I don't know if it refers to the label or the machine. It looks as if no one had ever blown the sawdust out of it, but it also looks like it hasn't been used that much. However, it was used for cutting metal and I spent about 2 hours last night digging cuttings out of the tires with a pick. I also figure out (thanks forum) how to pull the upper wheel because it was reluctant to turn (whereas the bottom wheel spins all day long with just a little push), and was able to salvage the metal retaining clip thanks to the warning from the forum about how fragile it is.
The table is cast iron and I've been using a wire wheel on my drill to clean it up. It is shining up pretty! And I found Johnson's Paste Wax at Lowe's yesterday so it will get a nice coat when it's done. Additionally, the backup bearing were all "stiff" but a couple of drops of 3-in-1 seems to have cured all of them. The guide blocks were practically glued in place by years of sawdust, but they are out now.
But enough of my tale, I need a couple of quick answers:
1. Greasing the needle bearings on the upper wheel: do I clean the bearings first (and if so, with what), and does the grease I use to repack them really matter much (I have some white lithium in the spray can style)?
2. The guide blocks appear to be aluminum? I'm guessing these are originals. Should I grind the faces back to flat before reinstalling them?
3. Should I lube/grease/oil the lower wheel, even though it turns very freely? And if so, with what and how?
4. The tires are obviously original, and in my understanding that means they are glued on. If so, how does one "unglue" them? And at what point does a tire need to be replaced? These don't seem too bad, just smoother in the groove that the blade ran in.
I have other questions, concerning the headstock and table locks, finishes, upgrades and what the differences are between 500s and 510/520s, specific to dimensionally. But that is another post. Thanks for any responses and I'm really looking forward to being in this forum often.
The Hermit on the Hill
Ben in Northwest Arkansas
I should clarify, I'm a newbie, but this is my 2nd Shopsmith. I bought one, used, about 12-15 years ago while living in another city in what seems like another life. It was a great deal because it included almost every accessories available. Also, at that time there was a Shopsmith store in town!!! Talk about convenience. However, at that time I was much younger and my only concern was that I knew how to turn it on and how to change between tools. Maintenance and alignment were not concepts I understood so well. Alas, circumstances resulted in my selling the entire unit along with it's band saw, jointer, belt sander, etc. But it left good memories and a longing to someday have one again.
Ten days ago that dream was realized. However, the reality is that I've got a lot less machine this time. It only came with the band saw, and is missing the power coupling at that.
Long story short (I know, too late, huh?), I'm in the process of going thru the machine and trying to lube, tighten, loosen, align, clean, restore, etc. This leads me to my band saw questions.
The band saw is a Magna with a plastic front cover (somewhat busted, but serviceable). The only information I can find is a label on the inside of the cover that has a copyright of 1958 and a number at the bottom of EM-9118 12:57, which I don't know if it refers to the label or the machine. It looks as if no one had ever blown the sawdust out of it, but it also looks like it hasn't been used that much. However, it was used for cutting metal and I spent about 2 hours last night digging cuttings out of the tires with a pick. I also figure out (thanks forum) how to pull the upper wheel because it was reluctant to turn (whereas the bottom wheel spins all day long with just a little push), and was able to salvage the metal retaining clip thanks to the warning from the forum about how fragile it is.
The table is cast iron and I've been using a wire wheel on my drill to clean it up. It is shining up pretty! And I found Johnson's Paste Wax at Lowe's yesterday so it will get a nice coat when it's done. Additionally, the backup bearing were all "stiff" but a couple of drops of 3-in-1 seems to have cured all of them. The guide blocks were practically glued in place by years of sawdust, but they are out now.
But enough of my tale, I need a couple of quick answers:
1. Greasing the needle bearings on the upper wheel: do I clean the bearings first (and if so, with what), and does the grease I use to repack them really matter much (I have some white lithium in the spray can style)?
2. The guide blocks appear to be aluminum? I'm guessing these are originals. Should I grind the faces back to flat before reinstalling them?
3. Should I lube/grease/oil the lower wheel, even though it turns very freely? And if so, with what and how?
4. The tires are obviously original, and in my understanding that means they are glued on. If so, how does one "unglue" them? And at what point does a tire need to be replaced? These don't seem too bad, just smoother in the groove that the blade ran in.
I have other questions, concerning the headstock and table locks, finishes, upgrades and what the differences are between 500s and 510/520s, specific to dimensionally. But that is another post. Thanks for any responses and I'm really looking forward to being in this forum often.
The Hermit on the Hill
Ben in Northwest Arkansas