Shopsmith Forums

Hey all,
I'm gonna start with the acquisition story.....
Wife's aunt's dad passed away about 15 years ago. The family was going through the storage shed and found this "hunk of metal" in the back. The family tried to sell it on craigslist for 250 and no one bit at it.
They offered it to me, completely unaware of what I was getting myself into.
I just got it yesterday and did some research. I did as much looking on line as I could and finally called SS.
I found out it is a 1955 SS Mark V Model 500.
The old man had several parts (dust collector, upgrade to 520, etc...) in boxes that had never been opened.
Other than the obvious paint degredation and rust issues from being outside,
it runs beautifully.
I called SS and asked them where to lube and the lady that answered the phone was of little to no help.
I'm gonna cruise the forum a bit and see what I can shake down and will be back with more questions for sure.
Never been much into woodworking, but I think I might start. I might also restore it as close to original as possible and give it back to the family.
Any thoughts or comments are always welcome.
Thanks in advance for answering any of my stupid questions.
Scott

Awsome, just found one with a similar story this last weekend, paid more for mine, but it is almost in perfect condition! Welcome to the club, make sure you read some of the posts in the maintenance section of what to do first when you get your shopsmith and what not to do.....

First and maybe most important 'NEVER' turn the speed dial without the motor running!

I am not sure how to post the link to the do's and dont's, but I am sure someone here will post it so you can easily find it.

That's great information. Thanks. I'm also looking for an exploded parts view of the original SS 500 because I know I'm missing parts.
Thanks again.

Links to the sticky posts, you can also find them as post #1 and 2 under the maintenance forum.


New owner thread
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=7092

Everything Mark V/technical info
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=5092

Oh, and Google search for Sawdust Sessions - you'll find all the oiling maintenance info in video format directly from Shopsmith too.

Here is a link that gives the Sawdust Sessions. You can sort by session number or topic. You can also search by topic.

cowboyplus.net/video.html

Thanks a ton guys....unfortunately, I feel that a clean up wouldn't do this machine justice. I have decided that after viewing all of the restoration threads, I am going to do it all.
Thank you folks for all of your hard work and dedication to these machines.
Very excited to take this on. Looks like I just found my summer project.
Scott

... and after you get it all cleaned up and start using it, use it to make things to give back to the family. I'm sure they would want such a lovingly restored piece of history to stay with someone who so obviously deserves it!

... and then... you'll see another one... and so it begins.....

If you look for the maintenance and repair area
Shopsmith Forums > Main Woodworking Forum
Maintenance and Repair

There are a couple of 'sticky' topics at the top which will yield a ton of good information.