Shopsmith Forums

My 30 year old belt sander (6x48) idler wheel is really sluggish. All I have is the factory manual. Not much in there. I'd like to lubricate the bushings. Is there a thread on overhauling the belt sander?

JPG made a really good thread on reassembly. http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/maint ... 9-s20.html

And there is the Sawdust Session video. http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... Tuneup.htm

There is another thread on rebuilding the idler drum, but I am off to work, someone else will find it.

Thanks! I made the mistake of using the the Forum search function and got almost nothing. Google works better!

Any tips for lubing the idler bushing without dis-assembly?

I don't have a belt sander, yet, so no personal experience. I have read that the old grease mixes with sawdust and hardens, which makes it stiffen up.

Here are a couple of more posts on the subject by Bill Mayo, who was a master on this type of problem.

on greasing the drum
http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... se#p204387

and more helpful tips in this thread.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/maint ... 16688.html

After looking into the situation it appears I have to disassemble the frame to get to the idler drum. Uggg, here I go! I'll look at adding a zerk fitting to provide a lubrication path that doesn't require disassembly....

I'm in it deep. My drive drum is crowned (1987-88 model). I've soaked the idler drum bushings with 5W turbine oil and they're starting to spin freely. I don't think I'll disassemble the idler drum. Instead I'll add a zerk fitting and let the new grease displace the old gunked up lube.

- Anyone do the zerk fitting mod? I'm going to give it a try. Any tips are appreciated.

- When folks machine the crown off, do they remove the rubber tyre, machine it flat, then install a new tyre? Or to they just machine the rubber tyre flat?

Drive drum bearings are shielded and starting to fail, I've ordered new ones. My bearing puller kit from Harbor Freight is proving it's worth. $40 with coupon!