How to identify a Shopsmith...

McClellan Made Blades · Mon Oct 15, 2012 1:35 am

Newby here, I recently found a Shopsmith, and I fell like it might be a good deal, especially with the space saving amenities and the ability to buy more attachments that will make my wood working more enjoyable. The particular Shopsmith I found, the owner says there are NO identifying marks or serial numbers, not a single way to tell which Shopsmith this one is, the only thing I thought might be able to help is that, from what I've learned is that there were certain years that Shopsmith changed their color combinations. I do not know if they retained a color combination for several years are if they changed things up every year, or as they upgraded from one Mark __, to the next Mark __.

I would like to know which one this particular one is, and if you all agree with me that it is a good deal, I hope I can figure out how to attach pics here, so you all can see it, and maybe be able to identify it without a lot of mystery.

I don't know if I have to know which Mark Model it is, to be able to buy attachments, if the Shopsmith company made it to be able to accept any new implements as they made improvements over the years. Which is what I am so hoping is the way they did it, for as many attachments as possible.

The Shopsmith I am looking at, is a bare bones model that has the table saw, I believe it is has half of what is needed to be a Lathe, it does have the drill press, and I think maybe the disk sander. He is asking $300 OBO. He also said that he would look to make sure that he didn't have any other parts for it, so if he comes up with other items the $300, would feel better, as it sits, I think I may offer him $200, primarily based on the fact that right now, with the info I have, there is so much unknown info, I would like to be able to have it save as much space as possible, as I am a knifemaker, the wood working I want to do is making presentation boxes, the kind with the finger locked corners, can't remember what it's called, but I know what I want! Also, knife blocks for kitchen knives to sit on the counter, bowls and maybe some plates for presentation type situations. Also, having a new house, there are some furniture pieces that I want, mainly a computer desk/work station, where, once i start making folding knives, I will have a clean well lighted area to work...being in the house with AC and heat does make that idea appealing.

OK, so back to the Shopsmith, I hope to add some pics here so maybe someone may be able to identify it and be able to tell me what attachments that I will be able to attach and use on it. If there is some restoration involved, which the bars do have some rust on, I'm sure I can handle getting them back working smoothly. If it takes rebuilding of the entire unit, I may choose to keep looking. I have checked eBay and the items available there almost looks like you could build one buying all the parts needed, as it seems just about everything Shopsmith has ever offered, is on there.

Just in case I can't get pics to load, I can tell you it has a gray case and the red "dial" looking thing has Shopsmith on it and nothing else. Thanks every one for any help, I do believe this one machine will be the answer to most if not all of my wood working needs. And having a wonderful Forum with people willing to help each other, makes it more likely for me to buy one. Thank You all, Rex McClellan

Sorry doesn't look like I can get the pics to load, I surely thought I had it figured out, but I couldn't get the the size right, if I can find out any info, feel free to ask, the guy that has it wants to sell it, and he'll do just about anythin to find out the info I need. Thanks again and sorry, Rex

michaeltoc · Post by **michaeltoc** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 6:38 am

Gray/smooth or Gray/rough texture?

On the left side of the headstock (with the 2 spindles) there should be a metal shield around the lower spindle. The serial number is stamped on that.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 7:12 am

mcclellanmadeblades:

Welcome to the group. Without a serial number it will be hard to date your unit accurately but we can get close. However, you will have to endure some interrogation and do some reading. Start here and report back what you learn. Browse the following for clues - starting with color and texture.

Hmmm. Are you in any way associated with knife making and KnifeDogs?

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 11:22 am

You'll probably also want to look at tool history too.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/toolhistory.htm

Based on what you described you could also be looking at one of the non-Mark V tools too such as the 10ER or Mark II. Maybe not, but I'd hate for a misunderstanding to lead you to think you're getting one thing and ended up with something completely different since you mentioned not finding a serial number.

Mark V

10ER

Mark II

Mark VII

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Mon Oct 15, 2012 11:59 am

This might help ya to post pics.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=114

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:38 am

If the 'red dial' has nothing but 'shopsmith' on it, It is probably a model 10 (E or ER). A closer look should reveal small lettering around the circumference and a stamped serial number at the bottom. That medallion will be 'riveted' to a CAST IRON headstock. The quill advance lever(s) will have a round ball shaped end.

If the 'red dial' has a ring around it with letters and device names(jig saw/disk sander/saw/joint/rout/shape...) it MAY be a mark 5 or Mark V. That assumes it is a shopsmith and not a clone.

FWIW a Shopsmith Mark 5 or Mark V would be a preferred choice since current add ons(SPTs) will fit, and parts are more readily found.

If it be listed on craigslist and has a pix attached to that, do tell us where and we can 'look' at it.

McClellan Made Blades · Thu Oct 18, 2012 2:37 pm

michaeltoc wrote:Gray/smooth or Gray/rough texture?

On the left side of the headstock (with the 2 spindles) there should be a metal shield around the lower spindle. The serial number is stamped on that.

I will pass this on to the guy that has it and see if it's there, THANKS!!!! Rex

McClellan Made Blades · Thu Oct 18, 2012 2:50 pm

dusty wrote:mcclellanmadeblades:

Welcome to the group. Without a serial number it will be hard to date your unit accurately but we can get close. However, you will have to endure some interrogation and do some reading. Start here and report back what you learn. Browse the following for clues - starting with color and texture.

Hmmm. Are you in any way associated with knife making and KnifeDogs?

I do know the color, it is gray, and looks smooth from the pics, after that, thats all I have. Other than a pic of the dial which I have to go back and check, later tonight.

And YES! I am a knifemaker and a member of Knife Dogs! I assume you are as well? I got to looking at the Shopsmith and felt like it would be a great addition to my shop, saving more room for knife making stuff! Plus, me and my wife like to dabble in a little woodworking, I want to build a computer/workstation for my house. Where I will have my computer as well as a place to work on knives in more comfortable conditions.

BTW, what interrogations are you talking about? From what I'm seeing, the atmosphere here is very similar to KD, friendly, and very helpful! And do I know who you are? By another name? I know there are a lot of, what I call, "lurkers", that are there to learn and read, mostly what I will be doing on here.
Thanks for the help, Rex

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 3:10 pm

mcclellanmadeblades wrote:I do know the color, it is gray, and looks smooth from the pics, after that, thats all I have. Other than a pic of the dial which I have to go back and check, later tonight.

And YES! I am a knifemaker and a member of Knife Dogs! I assume you are as well? I got to looking at the Shopsmith and felt like it would be a great addition to my shop, saving more room for knife making stuff! Plus, me and my wife like to dabble in a little woodworking, I want to build a computer/workstation for my house. Where I will have my computer as well as a place to work on knives in more comfortable conditions.

BTW, what interrogations are you talking about? From what I'm seeing, the atmosphere here is very similar to KD, friendly, and very helpful! And do I know who you are? By another name? I know there are a lot of, what I call, "lurkers", that are there to learn and read, mostly what I will be doing on here.
Thanks for the help, Rex

No, I am not a knife maker. I just happen to be aware of the KnifeDogs. I do not travel with an assumed alias; however, dusty is aka dustywoodworker (forced on me by the web).

The interrogation comment was meant to refer to the question and answer session that you will be exposed to here on the forum. We hesitate not to interrogate.

The lurkers are always welcome. Afterall, one of the objectives of this group is to share information and it matters not whether the recipients are active members or lurkers.

I have to feel that way. I spend a lot of time on forums that I have not joined.

McClellan Made Blades · Thu Oct 18, 2012 3:17 pm

JPG40504 wrote:If the 'red dial' has nothing but 'shopsmith' on it, It is probably a model 10 (E or ER). A closer look should reveal small lettering around the circumference and a stamped serial number at the bottom. That medallion will be 'riveted' to a CAST IRON headstock. The quill advance lever(s) will have a round ball shaped end.

If the 'red dial' has a ring around it with letters and device names(jig saw/disk sander/saw/joint/rout/shape...) it MAY be a mark 5 or Mark V. That assumes it is a shopsmith and not a clone.

FWIW a Shopsmith Mark 5 or Mark V would be a preferred choice since current add ons(SPTs) will fit, and parts are more readily found.

If it be listed on craigslist and has a pix attached to that, do tell us where and we can 'look' at it.

CLONE! Are you kidding me? I know these machines are successful and all, but to clone it!? I guess when someone comes up with a great idea, others will have to copy it in some manner. But looking at the dial, there are settings all around it, for different tools! So that kinda makes happy. A serial number would make me happier, I think I need to go look at it and see if I can find it, it could give me a little leverage on the negotiations. Now when you say clone, are we talking Chinese Cones, or someone here in the U.S. trying to make something from it? By the way, it looks smooth in one of the pics which aren't great, which way does that lean toward, a Mark V?

And I've been seeing the Mark V 510 and 520, what are the differences and advantages/disadvantages to upgrading to that.

One more quick question for all of you, I went on the Shopsmith web site last night, I saw the newest headstock for the Shopsmith, will that go on a Mark V , provided that's what I'm looking at? I didn't have time to really check it out, but it looks high tech and super cool! I'm a gadget/tool guy, I probably should continue saving for a surface grinder, but this machine is so cool, I just feel the NEED for one! Plus I have got to get a table saw anyway, must have. So why not the SS? Actually, it's less money and you get more for your money, makes easy sense to me! It's not on Craigs list it's in a local trade magazine called the Bulletin Board, with no pics! I'll get more info that has been asked for and see if I can get pics loaded tonight,
THANKS EVERYONE, I APPRECIATE EVERYONES HELP!!! Rex