papahammer8 wrote: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.
Say, papahammer8,
Or anyone with the answer,
I have not been able to locate this serial number look-up page for the SPT's. How about posting the link here?
Tim
Buying US made products will help keep YOUR job or retirement funds safer.
congratulations on an excellent purchase. Once you get the machine refurbished and up and running you'll find that it's worth ten times what you paid for it.
Like you, a number of years ago I purchased a used SS and had to refurbish it.
Since you asked for advice, I'll pass along what I learned.
1) First, get the maintenance manuals. You can purchase them online from SS site, or they are widely available on eBay. Make sure you get the manuals for all of your accessories as well. I think you can download them in PDF format from the SS site, but I prefer the printed manuals.
2) Once you have the manuals, completely disassemble the machine and
do a total overhaul in accordance with the manual. This seems like a lot of work, but it is worth it and really isn't that big of deal.
3) Rust removal: Pay particular attention to the way tubes and the locking shim assemblies. I used a wire wheel on my grinder to remove rust and build up on the locking shim assemblies. On the way tubes I used a Scotch pad and navy jelly. If the way tubes are pitted, dented, or bent, get new ones - which you can purchase on eBay for a minimal amount. A scotch pad and navy jelly (or WD40) works very well for removing surface rust on the table tops. I used a scoth pad under a random orbit sander, and WD40 on mine.
4) Rust prevention and lubrication: First, don’t use oil (except where the manual specifically recommends it for the headstock pulley assemblies, and then only sparingly) otherwise saw dust will bond with it and gunk up the machine. SS recommends paste wax, but I prefer to use Top-Cote Teflon spray, polished with a soft cotton cloth. Top-Cote not only provides a smooth friction free surface on the table tops and way tubes, it prevents corrosion. I live in Alaska and the summer climate is extremely damp, as such I coat all of my equipment and tools in Top-Cote and have never had so much as a hint of rust. Top-Cote is available from most good woodworking stores (Woodcraft, Rockler) or from Amazon.
5) Completely overhaul the headstock. This is much easier than it sounds, if you have the manual and a modicum of mechanical ability. At a minimum, open the maintenance cover and blow out all the dust and lubricate in accordance with the manual. Check the belts and replace if necessary. You’ll save yourself a lot of frustration in the future though, if you disassemble it and overhaul the way tube shim locks and the speed controller assembly. Just saying.
6) Alignment. Do a complete alignment in accordance with the manual. Don’t depend on the previous owner’s setup. You’ll save yourself endless grief with this step, and I can’t emphasize it enough.
7) Overhaul the bandsaw. This is a great little add-on that will last forever (my dad still uses his 1960’s era Magna tool version and mine is from the late 70’s), and is more flexible than most dedicated machines. However, it does take a beating (at least mine does) and needs an occasional overhaul and like all bandsaws it can be dangerous if not properly cared for. If the tires are cracked or dry rotted, replace them. I replaced mine with the neoprene upgrade, added Cool Blocks and new bearings, bi-metal blades, and the dust collections port so I could hook it to my shop cyclone system. It's so precise and easy to use that I prefer over my larger dedicated PowerMatic for small work.
8) The jointer. Somebody above gave you good advice regarding the Jointer, and I don’t have much to add.
Oh, and if your machine didn't come with the long T-Handle allen wrench (a lot of these older machines didn't have one), get one, either direct from SS or from a local hardware store. Really. I also added the hydraulic lift system to my machine and I think it's worth every penny.
Just "inherited" a 510 (#555540) from a friend who had stored it in his garage for years. His father gave it to him upon buying other machines and he isn't a woodworker. When he found out I was getting into woodworking he drove 2.5 hours just to get it out of his garage and into mine
I have been cleaning up the rust as well, haven't had the guts to crack open the headstock just yet, but the tables are looking pretty good, and things are shining up pretty well. Some of the smaller parts (fence assemblies and headstock locks etc) are pretty darn rusted out... haven't had the time to really dig into it yet.
On the upside, it runs well and I have used the drill press with success (still waiting on my 5/8 arbor from SS for the saw, though I will get into the headstock before turning it up to any high speeds.
Interesting to feel my way using manuals as I am not an experienced gearhead... but I'm working on it
Finally got my wood rat mounted and running, as soon as my SS is ready to go maybe I will post some incredible photos of amazingly difficult pieces... say cutting boards?
How about posting the link here?
Southern California (---
matajugador,