factory test design

rottie · Post by **rottie** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 9:02 am

I have an old shopsmith that I bought from an older gentleman years ago and he claimed it was an experimental one. Has anyone seen this frame design before?
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dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 9:48 am

rottie wrote:I have an old shopsmith that I bought from an older gentleman years ago and he claimed it was an experimental one. Has anyone seen this frame design before?
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No, I have never seen anything (Shopsmith) that resembled that. Hang onto it, I think you might have a "historic treasure".

I sure would appreciate seeing some more (close up) pictures.

rottie · Post by **rottie** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 10:13 am

I will take some more pictures and post them later. I sent an inquiry to shop smith as well to see what they tell me.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 10:29 am

Looks like to me that somebody made a shorty and their own stand.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 10:34 am

My guess it was an experiment of a Shopsmith owner. He sat his shopsmith on the base of another machine for whatever reason. Frankly it does not seem like a very good fit.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 11:44 am

Looks like it is mounted on a type writer or other office machine stand.

I think it was well thought out. It does tilt etc.. That is why the 'extra' length.

Interesting belt linkage and belt cover mods.

Wonder if the idler shaft/main shaft belt is inside(idler shaft still functional).

Wonder what the motor is.

Reeves drive likely absent.

idcook · Post by **idcook** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 4:10 pm

Looks top heavy to me. Were the tilt feature used I can almost seeing it trying to tip over on its side mid-tilt.

What was the purchase price… years ago?

rottie · Post by **rottie** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 4:18 pm

shops smith stated it was not one of there frames that they know off. they said it could have been from Magna engineering. It is professionally built looks factory made. see below from factory. It works fine like it is supposed to. It is all there and has the idler shaft/main shaft belt is inside and the(idler shaft still functional). Paid $50.00 for it ten years ago.

From the pictures you have sent it appears as if you have a conglomeration of different machines. The main headstock and tables appear to be from an late 1960s early 1970s MKV model 500 and someone has attached a 3 step pulley from an old 10E/10ER on it. They have also removed the bench ends (legs) and put it on a stand of some sort. Not sure waht it is, but they went to the grey color on the headstock around 1964 and it had a smooth surface. They (Magna Engineering) went out of business in 1967. The company Shopsmith was started in 1973 and the units have always been grey but the paint has a rough texture to it.
Hope this helps.
Thank you

joedw00 · Post by **joedw00** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 4:21 pm

I would be interested in seeing what Shopsmith had to say,I bet they did not do it,

benush26 · Post by **benush26** » Wed Jul 16, 2014 4:51 pm

The lower frame, especially the feet, looks like it was the same as the base for an old lathe a friend had. I don't absolutely remember the maker, but Delta sticks in my mind.