Linchimb Posted April 22, 2022 Report Share Posted April 22, 2022 Hi, I have recently purchased a new shimpo rk55. It makes a rhythmic noise when it spins fast. Has anyone encountered similar issue? Many thanks!! Can’t seem to inset video - here’s the link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted April 23, 2022 Report Share Posted April 23, 2022 Is that a belt or cone drive? Any road, sounds like a flat spot on the cone / bad spot on the belt or pulley. Is the sound synched with the wheel? Bill Kielb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted April 23, 2022 Report Share Posted April 23, 2022 (edited) As @Hulksaid. The VL lite is a belt drive with an automatic tensioner. Turn it over, uncover and see what is making noise. Likely a flat or worn spot on the belt. If it’s brand new or has sat a long time, the belt may be creased from the small drive pulley. If that’s the case, the noise could disappear as the belt wears in and loses this crease. Edited April 23, 2022 by Bill Kielb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linchimb Posted May 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2022 Thanks everyone! Does anyone know how to take the wheel head off? The supplier has suggested taking the wheel head off to add a bit more grease to the metal disc but I can't find any video online showing how to grease the disc inside the wheel..... Many thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted May 20, 2022 Report Share Posted May 20, 2022 (edited) @Linchimb Really sounds like belt noise because of the speed difference. Did you inspect the belt? New bearings generally come pre lubricated and shielded so not something someone can lubricate easily. one member solved this by running her wheel for hours until the belt wore in “[UPDATE] I ran my wheel for 7 hours at high speed and the knocking sound stopped. It started to dissipate around 4-5 hours in. Now it's operating without the annoying sound and just regular wheel hum. The belt just had to "warm up" and become more flexible again after having sat in a box for a while in one position—it had to loosen a stiff "kink" from being stored before purchasing. Edited yesterday at 05:14 AM by nattergab “ Edited May 22, 2022 by Bill Kielb Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linchimb Posted May 30, 2022 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 Thanks Bill. I will remove the back cover and check the belt. I took the four bolts out underneath the splash pan which was a mistake…now trying to figure out how to re-tighten them….if you have any ideas please let me know. Thanks very much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kielb Posted May 30, 2022 Report Share Posted May 30, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Linchimb said: Thanks Bill. I will remove the back cover and check the belt. I took the four bolts out underneath the splash pan which was a mistake…now trying to figure out how to re-tighten them….if you have any ideas please let me know. Thanks very much! I think the other side has nuts. I believe you will need to remove the cover on the bottom and maybe the flywheel to get to them to reinstall. Good time to see if the belt has a crease in it from storage which might work out after running for a bit. Take pictures along the way, mark anything that will help you reassemble, it should be fairly straightforward. Edited May 30, 2022 by Bill Kielb Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hulk Posted June 1, 2022 Report Share Posted June 1, 2022 Please see the parallel thread; I've posted an image: How to re-tighten the bolts on Shimpo RK-55 - Equipment Use and Repair - Ceramic Arts Daily Community Also eu-pottery-wheels.pdf (nidec-shimpo.com) page six Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linchimb Posted June 20, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2022 Thanks Hulk and Bill. Yes the other side has a square metal plate which holds the bolts in place. The spring is also attached to this part. And the belt also fell off...I put all of them back on now! hopefully this won't cause any issue in using the wheel Hulk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrayB Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 @Linchimb Was a kink in the belt your issue and did you get it worked out? I bought the exact same wheel about a month ago and it has the same thumping noise. I’ve used it several times since buying it but maybe not enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted January 25 Report Share Posted January 25 Shimpos take a beating and keep on thumping -New marking slogan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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