Purchased used Mark V - need maintenance help

woodcutter1979 · Post by **woodcutter1979** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:04 pm

I just purchased a used Mark V. I have never had one of these before but believe I purchased it for the right price. $200.00 I has a 2 band saws, joiner, table saw, etc. Lots of parts in boxes. Havent sorted through it yet.

Here are my questions:

(1) It has not been run in 3-4 years. Probably just sitting in the garage. What should I do to it before turning it on? Lubing?

(2) It has some rust on many parts. Particually, the tubes which the pieces slide on. How would I clean these up.

(3) The jointer is really rusty. Do you think there is any saving it?

Thanks in advance. Frank

osx-addict · Post by **osx-addict** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:17 pm

Frank --

Welcome! I'm in the same boat.. I just picked up mine last week and it's in need of the regular PM job as well.. I've got to wait until I have sufficient time to go through the docs and follow the PM procedures. As for the rust, do a search here on the forum as there are a number of threads talking about rust removal.. I believe there are also at least one Sawdust Session with it covered -- specifically for the Way Tubes..

woodcutter1979 · Post by **woodcutter1979** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:30 pm

Good luck with you machine. It will take me awhile to figure it all out. I have been wanting a Shopsmith for years. I have plenty of other tools but am anxious to try out the lathe and jointer (if I can get it cleaned up). Later, Frank

paulmcohen · Post by **paulmcohen** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:17 am

woodcutter1979 wrote:IHere are my questions:

(1) It has not been run in 3-4 years. Probably just sitting in the garage. What should I do to it before turning it on? Lubing?

(2) It has some rust on many parts. Particularly, the tubes which the pieces slide on. How would I clean these up.

(3) The jointer is really rusty. Do you think there is any saving it?

Thanks in advance. Frank

First welcome you have purchased a fine machine. There are sawdust sessions covering several of the questions you asked and there is a DVD available that covers all the basic maintenance. If you don't have a set of manuals I would get one. Nick just did a session on alignment that should get you started.

Basic answer is to remove rust, wax everything and apply oil to just a few places. Within the last month there are detailed threads also covering each of these topics.

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 9:29 am

You got an outstanding buy. I normally pay $200 or more for a Mark V and maybe one or 2 SPTs. You need to upack everything and clean each piece so you know what you have and prevent any further deterioration and/or paint loss.

woodcutter1979 wrote:I just purchased a used Mark V. I have never had one of these before but believe I purchased it for the right price. $200.00 I has a 2 band saws, joiner, table saw, etc. Lots of parts in boxes. Havent sorted through it yet.

Here are my questions:

(1) It has not been run in 3-4 years. Probably just sitting in the garage. What should I do to it before turning it on? Lubing?

I never try to operate any headstock that I buy. I remove the belt housing, install the 12” sanding disc and slowly rotating the top of it toward you (standing on the speed control handle side) while turning the speed control handle toward FAST. This will unstick the motor belt most times. Once the speed control handle is at FAST, I remove the motor belt from the motor by pulling on the floating sheave and rotating the belt off. Be very careful with your finger tips when doing this. If successful, the check the motor belt for wear, indentions, frays, etc. I rotate the motor shaft to make sure it is free. Then I turn the motor ON temporary and listen for any strange sounds/noises. Holding the motor belt up againest the top of the headstock, turn the speed control handle from FAST to SLOW and back again to FAST. This will tell you if any speed control assy. problems. There are procedures on what to do from this point on. This one gets you to the 25 maintenance procedures: http://www.allinonewood.com/?page=shop/serviceadvisor

(2) It has some rust on many parts. Particually, the tubes which the pieces slide on. How would I clean these up.

There are many methods to clean rust on the tubes and other metal parts. Do a search on RUST.

(3) The jointer is really rusty. Do you think there is any saving it?

Yes, all Shopsmith parts/SPTs/pieces are worth saving. I really do love Shopsmith. I have not found any piece/part that I cannot clean/fix/modify for my use. I never throw any Shopsmith part away as they are so well built that I can always make use of them. I will be happy to pay S&H charges on any Shopsmith part (broken, rusty, etc) other than tubes and legs, (got a ton of them) that anyone wishes to donate to me. Thanks.

Bill Mayo http://www.billstoolz.com

Thanks in advance. Frank

woodcutter1979 · Post by **woodcutter1979** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:25 am

I will take some pictures today and post them. Maybe someone will be able to give me some pointers. Thanks for all the feedback. Frank

solicitr · Post by **solicitr** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:25 am

If I may add my 2 cents- make sure the headstock is clear of sawdust. When I got mine and pulled the access plate, I could barely see the guts for all the sawdust caked in there. Very, very bad.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 8:47 pm

What model did you buy? Approximant age? SOME of the answers will be dependent on these two.

Sounds like you have a job ahead of you, cleanning it up, waxing and lubeing it. Then REWAXING it. You'll need a can of either paste wax, tre-wax or johnsons.

OK just saw the pics you posted, looks like a early SS500, judging from the alum sanding disk. Whats the serial number?

papahammer8 · Post by **papahammer8** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:15 pm

u can find date of ur mk v by the serial # go to shopsmith main page they have a chart on the date built. same as with ur spt's ie. bandsaw,jointer etc.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:48 pm

Frank:

I recently bought a used '83 vintage 500 that had been upgraded to 520. The owner had unfortunately suffered through a long illness before passing away, so things got rusty.

I made good use of 220 and 320 wet/dry abrasive paper and Navel Jelly. It was a lot of work, but the bench and way tubes are now almost as bright and shiney as new. I put 220 on a rubber sanding block and finally working down to 320, sanded the rust off the jointer fence, infeed and outfeed tables. It helps to take the jointer apart. While at it, remove the cutter head and check the bearings. Now would be the time to replace them. The blades are probably dull and perhaps rusty. Get the planer/jointer knife sharpener (555471) and the conical disk sander (555477) and you will never again have to pay someone to sharpen your knives. Also, get the Jointer Feather Guard (555480). This is a significant safety feature. Jointers are nortorious "meat grinders". The Jointer dust chute (555077) not only helps remove dust and chips but is also a safety device. With it in place it is impossible to get your fingers into the cutter from underneith the jointer. These suggestions would be money well spent.

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Purchased used Mark V - need maintenance help

Purchased used Mark V - need maintenance help

Used Shopsmiths

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