Shopsmith Forums

Hello to all. I am an occasional woodworker by hobby and mechanical engineer by trade. I just purchased a used Mark V, (model 555540, serial 080691), and have begun watching some of the videos offered here. I am especially looking forward to my first lathe projects.

First question: Can someone estimate the age of my machine?

Second, the widow of the original owner could not produce any manuals (her husband misplaced everything in his dementia), so I am pretty much lost in knowing what I have or how to operate it. I don't think there are many extras, unless a dust collector and shaper head fit that description. Should I buy new manuals from SS, or look for used on line, or...

Any other advice regarding the best way for me to come up to speed would be appreciated.

blkmax wrote:Hello to all. I am an occasional woodworker by hobby and mechanical engineer by trade. I just purchased a used Mark V, (model 555540, serial 080691), and have begun watching some of the videos offered here. I am especially looking forward to my first lathe projects.

First question: Can someone estimate the age of my machine?

Second, the widow of the original owner could not produce any manuals (her husband misplaced everything in his dementia), so I am pretty much lost in knowing what I have or how to operate it. I don't think there are many extras, unless a dust collector and shaper head fit that description. Should I buy new manuals from SS, or look for used on line, or...

Any other advice regarding the best way for me to come up to speed would be appreciated.

She be almost 29 since she was born on the sixth day of August, 1991.

I would obtain the manuals from ss. They are quite reasonable. SS customer service can inform you of possible changes from manual to your actual unit.

Welcome to the forum!

The sawdust sessions are a good place to start gleaning good information.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Sawdust_Sessions.htm

Rule #1: Don't turn the speed dial unless the Shopsmith is running.
Other than that, most of the operation of the SS is pretty straightforward.
There are plenty of short videos on Youtube, and the SS DVD's are a great help. I was lucky enough to purchase mine when traveling classes were still available. This forum is a fantastic resource, and I have learned a great deal about woodworking, technical skills, and Shopsmith specific operations.
Enjoy, and welcome.

kalynzoo wrote:Rule #1: Don't turn the speed dial unless the Shopsmith is running.
Other than that, most of the operation of the SS is pretty straightforward.
There are plenty of short videos on Youtube, and the SS DVD's are a great help. I was lucky enough to purchase mine when traveling classes were still available. This forum is a fantastic resource, and I have learned a great deal about woodworking, technical skills, and Shopsmith specific operations.
Enjoy, and welcome.

Rule #2, See Rule #1.

Welcome to the forum bikmax. Besides what has already been suggested, you can check out ebay for the manuals. I noticed that there are several available for sale right now. The one titled Shopsmith power tool woodworking self study course are what you get when you purchase a new machine. Another valuable book is called power tool woodworking for everyone by R J DeCristoforo and also can be found on ebay and half.com. Watch the maintenance and lube sawdust sessions and your machine probably hasn't been serviced in awhile. You will find plenty of helpful folks on this forum, so don't be afraid to ask any questions. By the way, let us know what part of the country you live in. Maybe some of us may be close by.

Welcome, you have made about the best start you could make by asking this crew for info. Lots of good, well informed and eager to help folks here. I would suggest that you look at the sawdust sessions for restoring the head stock. You probably won't have to do that, but it is very helpful in getting to know how this critter works. I found it very helpful. Maybe as an engineer, you don't need that, but for me it was most helpful. As mentioned clean and lube well and often.

blkmax wrote:Hello to all. I am an occasional woodworker by hobby and mechanical engineer by trade. I just purchased a used Mark V, (model 555540, serial 080691), and have begun watching some of the videos offered here. I am especially looking forward to my first lathe projects.

First question: Can someone estimate the age of my machine?

Second, the widow of the original owner could not produce any manuals (her husband misplaced everything in his dementia), so I am pretty much lost in knowing what I have or how to operate it. I don't think there are many extras, unless a dust collector and shaper head fit that description. Should I buy new manuals from SS, or look for used on line, or...

Any other advice regarding the best way for me to come up to speed would be appreciated.

Welcome to the forum. You have a youngster amongst Shopsmith's. Mine was assigned its serial number just a short time after yours. I have one that gained its identity on 11/22/91.

I am running this puppy hard and it is still operating with original equipment with the exception of one drive belt (and I kept that as a spare).

If you want to keep using yours for years to come, get a couple containers of turbine oil, a good vacuum cleaner or air compressor and a can of Johnson Wax (Original Formula).

Needless to say, I am very satisfied as a Shopsmith user.

Welcome to the Forum, blkmax! You should have no trouble understanding the mechnics of the headstock. The weak parts if not kept lubed are the 1)Speed Control Assembly(504198) (the gears/rack) and 2)the Control Sheave Assembly (515556) - especially the little bearing at the end of the shaft and the retaining loop.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/partscat/headstockassemblyexpview.htm

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/partscat/headstockassembly_1.htm

Actually rule #1 is "Do not bleed!"

blkmax wrote:I just purchased a used Mark V, (model 555540, serial 080691), and have begun watching some of the videos offered here.

Any other advice regarding the best way for me to come up to speed would be appreciated.

One piece of information that might help you get through the forum discussions is an explanation of the three different Mark V Models. You could have a Model 500 or 510 based on the manufacturing date.

The Model 500 has a smooth main table with a lipped front edge.

[ATTACH]9513[/ATTACH]

The Model 510 has a ribbed main table with round tubes on front and back edge. It includes separate "floating" tables.

[ATTACH]9514[/ATTACH]

The Model 520 had a ribbed main table with front and rear rail assemblies for holding the larger fence. It also has floating tables.

[ATTACH]9515[/ATTACH]

I realize the photos are small and may not point out the features well.