Drive Pulley has some play

Boris Ludwig

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The pulley on the motor shaft has a key way and a grub screw. The grub screw feels tight but over time the the pulley is able to rock on the shaft. It gets noisy and I have to loosen the screw and tighten it up again.

Is there anything I can put on the shaft and key to take up the slack between the pulley and shaft? Something that wont be a pain to disassemble when I need to make a change. Or should I get a new pulley?
 
Have you thought about using shim stock? How much slack are you talking about? Does the key fit good and tight in the key ways? Just off the top of my head.
 
Its only slight but enough to cause noise that bugs me. The key is tight on the shaft. It's the pulley that's a bit big. Slides on easily but no side play. It's just able to very slightly turn on the shaft. Key way in the pulley is just a tad big.
I haven't tried anything yet I just thought I'd ask first to save myself time.
 
You might try some removable Loctite (like 242) either on the setscrew or on the shaft itself, or both. Also, you might want to consider adding a second setscrew to the pulley if there is a suitable spot to drill and tap another hole. Sometimes putting two setscrews one on top of the other helps.
I had the same problem as you with my bandsaw motor pulley (no key, just a flat on the shaft) and adding a second setscrew on the next sheave worked for me.
Mark
 
The pulley on the motor shaft has a key way and a grub screw. The grub screw feels tight but over time the the pulley is able to rock on the shaft.

I had such a problem, and the fix was to run a reamer down the pulley hole; it was slightly (out-of-round? conical?),
but after making it circular, the problem went away. No guarantees, but if you can't fit a shim in to tighten the
fit, it could be that the hole isn't round enough to achieve shaft contact.
 
If the hub has enough material can you make your own version of a taper lock or QD hub?
 
You might try some removable Loctite (like 242) either on the setscrew or on the shaft itself, or both. Also, you might want to consider adding a second setscrew to the pulley if there is a suitable spot to drill and tap another hole. Sometimes putting two setscrews one on top of the other helps.
I had the same problem as you with my bandsaw motor pulley (no key, just a flat on the shaft) and adding a second setscrew on the next sheave worked for me.
Mark
Hi Mark, you have the right manufacture but I think you want to try the 660 stuff. I used the Loctite shaft repair on a worn out table saw pulley/shaft and I was totally amazed!!!!!!! I could be wrong on the Loctite number? It was gray in color. I remember the instructions saying it was for a temporary fix until you got the replacement parts. But the stuff lasted for years and never failed. I will try and find the tube in my shop. And try looking up shaft repair products made by Loctite…Dave
 
242 is probably not the best choice but I've used it for all kinds of oddball repairs
It IS amazing stuff- how did we ever get by without it? :cool:
 
I had the same problem with a Delta Rockwell drill press, it made an awful racket; Loctite was the answer.
 
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