Smitty
JAN/FEB
2005
Volume 48/Issue 1
IN
THIS ISSUE
Project
Articles
•
A Gift For Your Kitchen
• Outdoor Deck Chair
• Bandsaw Boxes
DEPARTMENTS
•
Ask Smitty
• Owner’s Gallery
• Letters from Owners
Academy Notes
Hardwood
Information You Should Know - Pt 4
Service Pointers
The
MARK V Vertical Drill Press & Horizontal Boring Machine
Woodworking
Technologies
Stepped
Dowels
Safety
Safety Lessons I've Learned
What's
New
Rip
Scale Upgrade Kit, Cabinets, & Lift-Assist
EDUCATION
• Find
A Shopsmith Woodworking Academy Near You
•
National
Woodworking Academy in Dayton, OH
ONLINE
CATALOGS
• Online Accessory Catalog
•
Request
Printed Accessory Catalog
• Online
Replacement Parts Catalog
MARK
V INFORMATION
•
Find
A Shopsmith
MARK V Demo Near You
•
Request
MARK V Information Package
LINKS
•
Links Worth Visiting
•
Free Woodworking
Tips
FEEDBACK
Contacting
Shopsmith
Copyright
2005.
Shopsmith, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
ASK
SMITTY!
Here
are the questions . . .
and SMITTY’S answers for this issue!
“Chewed-Up”
Router Cuts On the
Shopsmith MARK V
From Sally F., via email:
I have recently purchased the Router Attachment for my Mark V. I
attempted to use it on a scrap piece but ran into some problems. As is
the case with any first-time use of a new piece of equipment, I proceeded
as cautiously as possible. Unfortunately, things didn't go too well. The
bit (I was using a Dovetail Bit) chewed up the wood pretty badly. I placed
it on the highest possible speed (fast is the setting I believe) and moved
the piece as slowly as I could. But the result was still the same. So,
I took out the Dovetail Bit and replaced it with a Straight Cutting bit
thinking that I had “bit off more than I could chew” with such
an advanced bit.
The same thing happened. The board was chewed up. I even tried to rout the piece one small segment at a time. I suppose I could use sandpaper to clean up the chewed up parts, but from what I've seen of routers, I know there's something better there!
Could it be the Shopsmith Router Attachment simply isn't fast enough for what needs doing? Do I need to purchase the Speed Increaser? I'd like an alternative if there is one!
The most likely answer is that you're feeding your workpiece in the WRONG DIRECTION. As you're facing the machine (in your working position), the workpiece should ALWAYS be fed INTO the rotation of your router bit...that is, left-to-right.
Feeding the workpiece in the opposite direction (WITH the rotation of the bit) can result in what's called a “climb-cut”....which will almost always produce the problems you describe (there are exceptions to this rule, but they're few and far between). Not only will your results be less than desirable, “climb-cutting” is also a very dangerous proposition that could lead to the workpiece being grabbed and thrown.
The MARK V is plenty fast for most home shop routing operations, providing you take your time and feed your workpiece slowly and steadily into the rotating Bit. If you find yourself in a production situation where speed is critical, the use of a Speed Increaser will allow you to work faster with improved efficiency.
Squealing
MARK V just needs a good Belt!
From Jim S. via email:
I
have a Shopsmith MARK V which has set idle for several years. I have just
started using it again, and today, I noticed that the belt would squeal
when I ran the motor up to Table Saw speed. Any suggestions? Also...do
you have any suggestions for acquiring a tachometer so that if needed,
I can reset the motor speed? I did notice that after I replaced the first
belt, the Speed Dial didn't seem to rotate just right, almost as if it
were binding. What way would be best as far as replacing the belt? Does
Shopsmith offer a kit?
You could try some belt dressing if a slipping or dirty belt is the only problem. However, I believe you have more problems than just a slipping belt...and attempting to re-set the speed is NOT recommended. This is where your other problems come up.
It sounds to me like your Speed Dial may have been turned without the machine running. This would have caused damage to either the rack on the speed control quadrant and/or popped-off the head of the retaining screw at the eccentric. Loss of this screw head would allow the Idler shaft to be pushed out of the headstock, possibly causing the POLY-V belt to rub the headstock casting during normal speed changes. Either way, moving the Idler shaft out of position or damaging the rack teeth on the quadrant will make the speed dial difficult to turn.
I suggest that you call Technical Services at 1-800-762-7555. They can walk you through an analysis of your problem and the procedures for re-adjusting the Speed Change system.
