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questions about an old shopsmith

oldwoodnewb

I have the opportunity to acquire a vintage machine and am trying to determine what model it is. I want to be sure I can still get parts for it and try to determine its worth. I want to be fair with the seller but not overpay. I have been a SS owner in the past, having owned a 500 Mk V, mfg in the 1980's. It was the model before the 505 came out. I also had the Bandsaw, jointer, Speed reducer, upgraded 3" casters, wood accessory tray. Unfortunately I had to sell it and now am trying to start over

The serial number I'm looking at is 379458, which falls into the "No Data" line of SS's serial number chart, so I assume it was made after 1962. The person I am dealing with is the original owner and thinks he bought it in 1963. It is two-toned color, tan and gold/brown, the paint is faded but its definitely not green. Brownie? Goldie? It is a 500, right?

My first concern is whether parts are still available, including SPT's and a accessory table. I don't want to get involved with something that I cant repair down the road. Other than some rust and other usual wear and tear from a tool of 60 years, it appears to be in excellent condition.

Included in the sale is everything that came originally, including the jointer, lathe tools, 12" Disc sander, miter fence, rip fence. He admits to not having used it for 5 years and it has lived for the past 30 years in the Southern California desert, so the amount of rust is minimal. Everything is original SS, some parts are still in the original boxes

The real value is that its 5 miles from my house so no need for long distance shipping. That's worth something, right?

Thanks in advance

Jeff

JPG

It is a "Goldie". Most SPT's will fit. Parts availability should be ok if we can believe the current/new owner. If not, there a lot of used parts available. I would pick it up at a reasonable $$$.

oldwoodnewb

Thank you for your response.

He is for sure the original owner. He's asking $500 for everything. Even has all the original books given to buyers

Is that a reasonable price?

chapmanruss

Jeff,

Welcome to the Shopsmith Forum.

The Mark 5 with serial number 379458 would be early 1963 in my estimation. JPG has a Goldie Mark 5 made a bit before that one. If original it would have the Poly V drive and the 1-1/8 HP Motor. It would be equivalent to the 1980's one you previously had although a few changes occurred between 1963 and the 80's. As for the Model it predates other Mark V Models so unless it has been upgraded it would be a Mark 5 with the original Table System which became the Model 500 with the introduction of the Mark V 510/505 in 1985. It is the Table System that determines which Model it is.

Any current upgrades and replacement parts will fit into it. It could even be upgraded to a Power Pro Headstock. There are some warnings in catalog listings like the following one for the Lift Assist saying

Older MARK V units made prior to 1972 have different base castings that require a uniquely designed Lift Assist to accommodate the updated PowerPro headstock. This version is customized to fit those legacy machines that have been modernized.

These warnings have to do with the diameter of the Bench Tubes previously being 1-7/8" diameter as opposed to the 1-3/4" diameter Bench Tubes which actually changed around 1960. It's one of those cases where you need to understand the warning's true meaning and how it actually applies to your Mark 5.

As for SPT's all of them can work on this 1963 Mark 5 as well as they did on your 1980's Mark V.

oldwoodnewb

Thank you Russ for your informative response. It makes sense, since he said he bought it in 1963. You answered a couple of new questions that I have

NEW question: He has an 8' sawblade and I read that old SS came with 8" tablesaw. Can this be upgraded to a 10" blade and does this change the model designation?

If everything is working and its all original, is it worth $500? Jointer is included and of course the original 5?

Thank you

JPG

Tardy response it originally came with a 9" blade.

chapmanruss

Not sure how I missed answering this either. The 8" Saw Blade is likely from either the Model 10's or a Mark 2 which used a maximum diameter 8" Saw Blade. As for using a 10" Saw Blade you would have to check the Table Insert and extra slot clearance to see if it can use the larger diameter Saw Blade. Early Mark 5 Extra Slot Main Table openings were not long enough for a 10" blade.

The model of a Mark 5/V is determined by the Table/Fence system it has. The 1963 Mark 5 would be equivalent to a Mark V 500 unless the Table/Fence was upgraded. I have a Mark 5 made in 1957 that with the original Table/Fence would be considered a 500 but the Table/Fence system has been upgraded to a 510. Now considered a 510 it is still important to know this Mark 5 was made in 1957 since it is only the Table/Fence that was upgraded. In this case the Headstock has also been upgraded. and again, an important thing to know if repairs are ever needed to get the correct era parts