New Guy On the Block!

Forum for people who are new to woodworking. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

Moderator: admin

Post Reply
Bill0331
Bronze Member
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:48 pm
Location: Rockford, WA

New Guy On the Block!

Post by Bill0331 »

Hello All!

My name is Bill, and I live in Rockford, WA (about 27 miles SE of Spokane,WA.)

As of right now, my woodworking skills are limited to basic carpentry, but fate has opened a door to woodworking, in which I have been interested for a very long time.

I now am the new owner of a venerable Shopsmith MkV.
Image
Image
Preliminary archeology reveals her to be a late 1950s model, upgraded to a Poly-V belt and not much else. She looks like she has an old style table and fence. It doesn't look like the miter handle unit has changed much over the years.
Image

(If I'm wrong, I welcome corrections!)

All in all she's in pretty good shape!

Any how, I look forward to getting to know everybody over the next few decades!

Best,

Bill
Sometimes it isn't worth the effort to chew through the straps in the morning...
Bill0331
Bronze Member
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:48 pm
Location: Rockford, WA

Supplemental Questions Pt. 1

Post by Bill0331 »

Hi folks!

The folks who were selling this unit didn't know anything about Mk Vs, and so they dumped all the pieces and parts they guessed might be part of the unit together. I'm still learning, so I'd like to tap into the knowlege base of you folks, who know these machines inside and out (and I promise that I will keep learning about this beastie as well!)

I need to know what these following pieces are, (or if they even belong with the Mk V):
Image

Image

Image

Image

Bill
Sometimes it isn't worth the effort to chew through the straps in the morning...
Bill0331
Bronze Member
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2012 8:48 pm
Location: Rockford, WA

Supplemental Post (Part 2)

Post by Bill0331 »

Finally,

I know that these are Shopsmith components, but I don't know exactly what they are:
Image

Image

Thanks for your help!

Bill
Sometimes it isn't worth the effort to chew through the straps in the morning...
User avatar
SDSSmith
Platinum Member
Posts: 1940
Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:35 pm
Location: San Diego, CA

Post by SDSSmith »

Bill0331 wrote:Hi folks!

The folks who were selling this unit didn't know anything about Mk Vs, and so they dumped all the pieces and parts they guessed might be part of the unit together. I'm still learning, so I'd like to tap into the knowlege base of you folks, who know these machines inside and out (and I promise that I will keep learning about this beastie as well!)

I need to know what these following pieces are, (or if they even belong with the Mk V):Magna Dad (wobble style dado blade)
Image

Front table (miter slot) extension
Image

Image

Molding table insert and some other non Shopsmith accesory
Image

Bill

The third picture has a 1-14" saw arbor and what appear to be washers from other arbors. See other comments in red above.
Rob in San Diego
Email: SDSSmith51 AT gmail.com
User avatar
terrydowning
Platinum Member
Posts: 1678
Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:26 pm
Location: Windsor, CO

Post by terrydowning »

Welcome Bill

Start with the first 2 sticky threads in the Maintenance and Repair section
http://shopsmith.net/forums/showthread.htm?t=7092
and
http://shopsmith.net/forums/showthread.htm?t=5092

These are the best starting places to start figuring out your machine and what needs to be done to get it up to speed and keep i there.
--
Terry
Copy and paste the URLs into your browser if you want to see the photos.

1955 Shopsmith Mark 5 S/N 296860 Workshop and Tools
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AmpX5k8IhN7ahFCo9VvTDsCpoV_g

Public Photos of Projects
http://sdrv.ms/MaXNLX
User avatar
edflorence
Platinum Member
Posts: 689
Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 8:14 pm
Location: Idaho Panhandle

Post by edflorence »

Hi Bill;

Welcome to the forum. That is a great old machine you have acquired. Looks like its got a lot of years left on it. I picked up one very similar about 20+ yrs ago. Its been added to and upgraded and its still going strong.

Looking at the pictures of the accessories that came with your machine I have a few thoughts based on my experiences with my '54 Model 500 that might prove of use to you. First, don't fall into the new owner's trap of thinking that the SS is a "second best" tablesaw. That is just not true. I see you have a front table extension and I would recommend getting a second one. Also, I would suggest upgrading the fence to the one that has a t-slot on top and locks front and back. Hang on to the old fence, though, as it is nice to have one with the hole in the top...the lathe tail center fits in that hole and makes a great pivot point for circle sawing or sanding. Probably should spring for the wider auxiliary table too, its really nice. Hold on to the old one though as it comes in handy sometimes to have tables on both ends of the machine. Also, the narrower table is a great place to mount a sharpening jig to use with your sanding disk. Finally, I recommend the SS sliding table. With the sliding table and two front table extensions, one on the main table and the other on one of the auxiliary tables, and an auxiliary table at either end, your Model 500 makes a really functional table saw. When you get into making beveled cuts with the tilting table, check the threads in this forum for lots and lots of great information.

And of course besides buying a fine old tablesaw you have also bought a lathe, disk sander, drill press, jointer etc etc. all of which also work really well.

Final thought...if your Shopsmith didn't come with a copy of "Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone" by RJ Cristoforo, cruise the internet book stores to find a copy or order a new one from SS. It is essential.

Best of luck with your new Shopsmith and I look forward to hearing about what you build with it.
Ed
Idaho Panhandle
Mark 5 of various vintages, Mini with reversing motor, bs, dc3300, jointer, increaser, decreaser
User avatar
JPG
Platinum Member
Posts: 35600
Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)

Post by JPG »

Do be aware that the front table extension for a 'greenie vintage' is different from later versions. The front edge of the main table is different.
╔═══╗
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝

Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
Post Reply