New to ShopSmith & Forum

53superm · Post by **53superm** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 8:58 pm

Hello...

I have just reciently aquired a ShopSmith Mark V. I believe it's a Model 500? Serial #: SS-145816. It came with a jointer, bandsaw, lathe duplicator, router bits, moulder head and bits, extension table, table for the duplicator, sanding disc, 7 push sticks, a fence push stick and a regular push stick. It also came with allot of litature. The thick white three ring binder with all of the lessons in it as well as the books for the jointer and the bandsaw. I traded my Bosch contractor saw even up for all of this.

Never have owned a ShopSmith before and never had heard of them before now. I have been cleaning this machine(s) up and all of it's various attachments. Will soon have it running. I put my Forest Woodworker II blade in it.

Now, I have a question about a small problem. On either end of the ShopSmith, there are handles mounted horizontally. The rotate freely on bearings, I think. They are held in place by what apears to be two rectangular headed bolts. The problem is that I can't get anything (jointer/bandsaw) to seat down all the way into the holes on either end of the machine because they the bolt heads. So, my question is, how do I get those bolt heads out of the way so mounting tubes will seat all the way down?

Thanks - looking forward to your forum.

David

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:09 pm

53superm wrote:Hello...

I have just reciently aquired a ShopSmith Mark V. I believe it's a Model 500? Serial #: SS-145816. It came with a jointer, bandsaw, lathe duplicator, router bits, moulder head and bits, extension table, table for the duplicator, sanding disc, 7 push sticks, a fence push stick and a regular push stick. It also came with allot of litature. The thick white three ring binder with all of the lessons in it as well as the books for the jointer and the bandsaw. I traded my Bosch contractor saw even up for all of this.

Never have owned a ShopSmith before and never had heard of them before now. I have been cleaning this machine(s) up and all of it's various attachments. Will soon have it running. I put my Forest Woodworker II blade in it.

Now, I have a question about a small problem. On either end of the ShopSmith, there are handles mounted horizontally. The rotate freely on bearings, I think. They are held in place by what apears to be two rectangular headed bolts. The problem is that I can't get anything (jointer/bandsaw) to seat down all the way into the holes on either end of the machine because they the bolt heads. So, my question is, how do I get those bolt heads out of the way so mounting tubes will seat all the way down?

Thanks - looking forward to your forum.

David

Those 'handles' are clamps for the SPT's.

While looking down into the spt mount holes, rotate the 'handle' to determine which direction to rotate them(they can be attached two different ways, so the direction needs to be determined).

Continue rotating them until the clamp 'bolt heads' are retracted fully. Then the spt's can slide into the mount holes. Rotate them the opposite direction to clamp the spts in place.

If they are adjusted properly, the 'bolt heads' will protrude into the mounting hole the same on both holes, and the 'handle' ends will clear the casting by the same amount.

53superm · Post by **53superm** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:38 pm

Thanks for the info...but...what are SPT's?

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 9:40 pm

SPT's are Special purpose tools. Like the bandsaw, and jointer.

joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Thu Dec 06, 2012 10:37 pm

Welcome to the forum. I know you will enjoy your new toy. Sounds like you got just about everything you need to make sawdust.

putttn · Post by **putttn** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 8:24 am

Welcome to the Forum. You will find just about any answer you can imagine just by asking here about your SS. Also, these guys are probably the most understanding bunch I have ever had the pleasure corresponding with. No "attitudes" and always willing to help ..... even for those of us who are "challenged" when it comes to woodworking.

There are a number of great videos available on "How to" use the SS under the "Sawdust Sessions" as well as many other privately made videos.
My favorite "SS" is the Bandsaw and there are a few really great videos on how to set it up/adjust etc.

stickthrower · Post by **stickthrower** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 5:42 pm

Hey, welcome to the group forum.

THe people on here really are great. Everybody has been really helpful answering questions and giving advice.

Nathan

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 6:10 pm

Hi and welcome!!!
My suggestion is to take the weekend and curl up with a good book--- The owner's/instruction manual. It will time VERY WELL spent. Practice going through the different modes of operation Lathe to table saw, table saw to drill press etc. just to get the hang of doing it. If you have any dificulties come back here for info and advice.
Bill V

53superm · Post by **53superm** » Fri Dec 07, 2012 6:42 pm

Thanks for the welcome guys! This afternoon I ran a seperate electrical line from the service panel in the barn just for the SS. I did find that I have to replace the cord on it as an inspection showed a cut through the insulation, the hot and neutral. How difficult is it to replace the cord? Is there a video on that?

fiatben · Post by **fiatben** » Sat Dec 08, 2012 9:37 am

Welcome to the forum!! You not only made a great deal on a machine, but you've found the best resource you could possibly ever hope to have in order to enjoy your new toy.

Replacing the power cord is not difficult at all. I've done three or four already, and fixing to do another one (different machines ... it's an addiction). My suggestion for the second best thing to do (after reading the manual) is to spend some time cruising thru the restoration/repair threads on here. There is nothing I can think of that someone else has not already done and documented here. I know it shortened my learning curve by days/weeks/months.

Ask away. We enjoy the questions, love to see pics of works in progress and hear your stories. And I have to admit, we forget where we all started and it brings a smile to read of someone asking about the "little round handles at the ends" and needing clarification on what an SPT is. Hang in there. Ask away. And soon you'll be the one answering questions on the forum.

Enjoy!!

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New to ShopSmith & Forum

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