Taming Vibration & 50 Hour Maintenance of the Shopsmith Power Station & Crafter's Station

✅ SHOP NOTES: The Shopsmith Power Station and the Shopsmith Crafter's Station have a common problem: They are noisy and vibrate like a jackhammer. If you missed part one, catch it here: • Is YOUR Shop Missing a... and Part 1.5 here: • Shopsmith Power Statio...
Here are links to a few of the products I used or discussed in this video:
🟢 This is the SAE 20 oil that I reccomend: amzn.to/3Yc9sCJ
🟢 Handy dental syringes: amzn.to/3BOXnKn
🟢 These are the bumper pads that I was going to put between the belt cover and legs: amzn.to/3VPMQpU
🟢 My favorite 9" long T-handle "Shopsmith Toolbox" 5/32" Hex Wrench: amzn.to/3sm3NcJ
🟢 This is the 5/8" link belt that is correct for the Power Station: amzn.to/3gEj2gH The jury is still out on whether or not it's appropriate for use on the Crafter's Station. I used 26 links per belt.
🟢 My favorite anti-fatigue mat: amzn.to/3XwNaeJ And no, I don't like the Harbor Freight mat, though I have a couple.
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#CraftersStation #Shopsmith #PowerStation

[@MyGrowthRings]

NOTE: Check the “Shop Notes” section above (click Show More) for links to link belt and final link count and all things link related! Scott

[@danasmith8950]

Well, I don't have a power station and I don't plan to ever have one. Yet I watched and enjoyed. 🙂

[@StevenG1955]

Thank you, Scott! It is always much better to see someone explaining a procedure than only seeing in a manual.

[@MyGrowthRings]

I’m the same way, Steve.

[@jamespowell9757]

Great video, as usual! thanks for including the maintenance tips that you alluded to in the first video. Now a cheap shot(sorry): You mentioned in the first video (And a recent comment) that you would never use the power station to run the jointer. The jointer manual recommends 3900-6200 rpm depending on type of wood(hard-soft) and depth of cut-finishing vs deep >1/8 inch. The tachometer reading you got was 4400 which is within the range given in the jointer manual. Also Mike Young (one of the creators of the crafter's station) says the jointer CAN be powered by the crafter's station. Any comment? Like I said before, given the choices of a used Mark V and a used Power station at near equal price, I'd choose the Mark V and keep it long unless space was a limiting factor. My main reason for this preference is the continued availability of ALL headstock parts. Also, the extra Mark V can be used as an outfield(or indeed) table for your other unit. jim

[@MyGrowthRings]

Jim, have you used the jointer on a Mark V and on a Crafters Station? I have and in my opinion, which is the only one I have, the Crafters Station isn’t fast enough.

[@mikeg6418]

Thanks for the update on the link belts. I have used the metal stud type link belt (NuTLink) in industrial applications where there was no belt length adjustment possible. Think of the fancy & stripper rolls on a cotton garnet machine. The problems with them are the directional requirement that you noted and the minimum diameter of the smallest sheave. Please keep us updated as to how well they work.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Will do. Those style of link belts are interesting. I encountered one of those on an ancient tenoning machine that had a scary square cutter head. Those two things are forever cemented together in my mind.

[@stased7343]

I learned a lot in this video! Plus it reinforces what I had been doing. Thanks again!!!

[@clyderenner3688]

No Bafoon statements, so I’m guessing the video went without a hitch. Thanks for the content.

[@MyGrowthRings]

So far so good

[@jamespierson4324]

Thanks Scott, a very informative video. I appreciate your consistent and detailed explanation of the topics you cover.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Thanks, Jim.

[@markbeiser]

If you are the type that is confident in opening up a motor, it may be worthwhile to replace the oil wick material around the bearing. I have not taking the motor out of one of my power stations yet, but I've had a couple of the motors apart on MK5 machines that had a bushing for the rear bearing, and the oil wick material was so far gone that it was not recoverable. You can buy it in a rope/yarn form, or in a felt pad form and cut it to fit.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Yes, that’s a very good point. That wadding does wear out over time.

[@drumaganger]

Great video and great content. The last time I had to align the motor to the pulley on my power stand, I used a 3-foot level and got it down perfectly both horizontally and laterally. Easy day and no wobble.

[@bobwebberkc]

Awesome info as usual!! Glad to see you didn’t lift that dang thing again!

[@MyGrowthRings]

Actually, I did, but this time I decided not to share it in the video!

[@bobwebberkc]

@@MyGrowthRings shame on you! LOL

[@chadnevels246]

"I just don't see me using this as a table saw." Mike Young probably just died a little bit inside after that statement.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Or for EVER powering the jointer!

[@alberttreado3713]

Prodadly died a lot inside.

[@alberttreado3713]

it was pure genius!

[@MyGrowthRings]

@@alberttreado3713 Some would say that.

[@MrMarkpeggy]

Thanks for the great information Scott. I doubt that I will ever have one of those crafter stations, but it is fascinating to see how they are put together.

[@robertbenstead5265]

I have always liked the link belt idea. I wanted to install one on my pro-planer and there was a clearance issue with the belt guard on top. The belt rides a little higher on the pully.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Yes, they do. Perhaps switching the pulley’s could fix that, but that could introduce more issues. I’m not sure what I would do…

[@ryandellova2753]

Good evening sir, thank you again for sharing your wealth of knowledge. Truly helps youngsters like me especially considering how many people of my generation would never use a tool other than a big box store brand. I'm having issues with my motor alignment on my powerstation, it is preventing me from adjusting my speed to the full rpm. Do you know approximately how low on the mounting bolts you have the motor set to? I would greatly appreciate the help!

[@MyGrowthRings]

It’s different from unit to unit, but I’m used to seeing the motor at least 3/4’s of the bolt’s length from the head of the bolt. When it it at the proper position at high speed the lower belt isn’t quite bottomed out in the center pulley.

[@thebeggarswoodshop8756]

Nice seeing duel cameras at work. Any idea's on the next subject?

[@MyGrowthRings]

Drew, I wasn’t sure I was going to need tow cameras, but when editing the video from my primary camera I realized I had an awful shot so I was happy to see that it looked better in the back-up recording. It’s more work but I can see myself using it again. No big plans other than I have a bunch of big sliding doors to build. Not sure how much of that will be recorded, though.

[@nylandhagar9944]

Sounds great, when will you try the link belts on the Mark V? Would really like to see that!

[@MyGrowthRings]

I’m thinking soon.

[@nylandhagar9944]

@@MyGrowthRings looking forward to it ;)

[@woodshopnerdery]

Nice one!

[@MyGrowthRings]

Thanks, Tom.

[@patlyle2621]

Great vid as usual! Can you tell us where you bought the red belt the part number for 5’ and the number of links used after you removed one link. I need to do the same thing on my power station. I tried to lube my motor and installed 5 drops and the oil came to the top of the tube no more could be added. I assume it was so dry it would not soak in. I need to go back and see if it will take more oil. I assume I do this a few times it should become wet enough to start taking the 100 or so drops. Thanks for all you do to educate us. John

[@MyGrowthRings]

It’s all in the video description area, just click “Show More”. Sounds like you had plenty of oil, assuming the plug was removed! Scott

[@jamespierson4324]

Had the same experience, added 5 or so drops until it soaked in and repeated this to I was able to get sufficient oil in.

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

Scott, since these belts ride a bit differently in the pulleys… how much different was the output RPM’s? Or, is that a moot point?

[@MyGrowthRings]

It’s currently running just a tad faster than with the stock belts, but I suspect that will ease in as the belt stretches.

[@alanscrivner1881]

You have to oil the motors? Bought mine in ‘92. Oiled them today based on the motor label. Thank you!

[@MyGrowthRings]

I know, it’s a little crazy! Glad you got ‘er done.

[@leopetrone7187]

Scott the speed controller seems less complicated than on the mark v. Would it have been possible to use on the mark v.

[@MyGrowthRings]

It is quite similar to what was used to add variable speed control to the 10ER, but I believe that the way Magna ultimately went was a better idea.

[@billmclaughlin8438]

So oiling the motor and adding link belts to a 520 is also could/ should be done to quote it?

[@MyGrowthRings]

The motor on a Mark V or 7 shouldn’t need oiling, but the lower sheave does require oil on a mechanical headstock. I think a link belt on a Mark V is an interesting idea, but I haven’t tried it yet, so I’ll withhold an opinion just yet. Scott

[@alberttreado3713]

Scott, did I miss something important? I don’t understand using the flap belts. I ordered the replacement belts for my power station since it was vibrating. I am sure that will take care of it.

[@MyGrowthRings]

Are you referring to the link belt ask flap belts? Link belts, work better than standard v-belts, and in this case, better than notched v-belts. If you didn’t catch that, then yes, you missed something important. Scott

[@alberttreado3713]

@@MyGrowthRings I guess my failure to leap in this direction is I think the power is transfered from the sides of the belts, and the solid belts have more surface area than the link belts. I will review the earlier videos.

[@MyGrowthRings]

@@alberttreado3713 I get ya and yes, that’s true. The issue isn’t power but is vibration. The link belt is able to conform better to smaller pulleys and that introduces less whipping, which in part contributes to noise and vibration.

[@alberttreado3713]

@@MyGrowthRings And so, on my PowerStation, the link belts would be ideal....

[@MyGrowthRings]

@@alberttreado3713 I believe so.

[@andrewblades652]

Thanks Scott! How many links did you end up with?

[@MyGrowthRings]

26 links per belt for now. I started with 27 then reduced it by one.

[@andrewblades652]

Thanks a ton sir!

[@MyGrowthRings]

@@andrewblades652 You bet!

[@LouScavone]

I have a question about the 20 #oil. I ordered the oil that you showed . The wrong oil showed up after 8 days. I sent it back. can synthetic oil be used? I was at the auto store and cant find any sae 20#oil. But i can get 0w20#oil synthetic oil. Can this be used?

[@bigsusan666]

My crafters station does not have enough belt tension to use.. The shopsmith belts looks good though. Any way to adjust the tension that i havmt noticed?

[@MyGrowthRings]

Yes, thsnioning is done by lowering the motor. Just be careful not too over tension.