These instructions are meant to supplement your Shopsmith materials. Do NOT attempt to adjust or repair your Shopsmith without the proper Shopsmith instructions.
Every 25 hours of running time, you need to oil the sheaves with a good 30 weight non-detergent oil. Shopsmith warns against using penetrating oil or oil in aerosol spray cans because they can gum up the machines.
Turn the machine on, and run up the speed to its highest setting.
Shut it off and unplug it.
Remove the belt cover.
Remove the name plate (on the back of the headstock). The easiest way to do this is to pop it off with a screwdriver.
The control sheave gets lubricated first. You do this through the access hole on the back of the headstock.
The oil goes in the hole in the sleeve of the control sheave. You'll probably need a flashlight to see it. Rotate the main spindle by hand until the hole is visible. Use 1 or 2 drops of oil-more than that will collect sawdust.
Go around to the front of the machine to lubricate the floating sheave.
It's pretty much the same thing, except the hole in the sleeve is behind a spring, so it's a little hard to find.
Once you find it, spread the coils of the spring with a screwdriver so you have access to the hole, then apply a drop or two of oil.
That's about it. Replace the belt cover and name plate. Put the sanding disk on the machine and use the disk and, while turning the disk by hand, slowly turn the speed control to "Slow."
Plug it in, turn it on, and run the speed control up and down a few times.
Shopsmith Company Home Page
