New to the forum, but not so new to shopsmith

[kazmaynard]

Dear Fellow Shopsmith Users,

I thought I would take the time to introduce myself to everyone and tell you all my Shopsmith story.

I got introduced to Shopsmith when I was still in college; I was working on an electronics engineering degree at the time and fixing computers to fill my often empty pockets. On one such sojourn, I met Don the husband of one of my mother’s work friends who was a retired college professor and lifelong woodworker at the time. Due to our similar nature and technical minds we became fast friends. I had no experience in wood working, but one of my interests tangential to electronics was audio and speaker design. I consulted with Don on a project I wanted to build and he introduced me to his Shopsmith an old and hard worn 1973 Mark V.

Throughout Don’s life he had built everything, from houses to furniture to sailboats, on his various Shopsmith and had been using them since the introduction of the Mark V in the 50s. He had taken a break from woodworking and looking back on it, perhaps a break from life so my enthusiasm for the venture must have been a welcome respite.
Don’s Mark V had been pushed aside in his garage and covered in a well-worn tarp; it sat below the air bricks where, even though it was covered, the elements had done their job. It was dusty rusty and musty. I didn’t know what I was looking at fully at the time, but I could see the potential of it. The headstock was seized on the way tubes, the quill was stuck, the table and carriage were seized as well and it tripped the breaker the 1st time we turned it on.

Over the next few weeks as time permitted we went about getting it in working condition. Elbow grease, WD40 and sometimes gentle persuasion with the BFH got everything moving till we had it in full operating condition. Yes it was noisy, but it worked and my eyes lit up the 1st time I saw the speed controller operate as I had never seen any woodworking equipment that had infinitely variable speed adjustment. I couldn’t wait to look under the hood and see what made her work.
Don mentored me and taught me everything he knew about woodworking and I taught him about computers and the internet (dial-up days folks). We built many projects and went about restoring a boat he had built with his Shopsmith. Eventually the speed control assembly failed and I had my opportunity to take it apart and see how it worked. The “while you’re in there” rule took ahold and I replaced all the bearings and reconditioned everything inside, the quill had been upgraded in the 80s to a double bearing model, but at the time I didn’t know all the variations and such that Shopsmith had done over the years. Don left me to tackle the refurb as he had never been deeper into his Shopsmith than changing the power switch and the two belts, and upgrading the quill. Which looking back he probably let me do for my own experience.

We put everything back together and fired her up.. The noise was gone! it was a whisper compared to before.. Like a new Shopsmith.. We looked at each other and smiled and that’s when the motor popped! A big flash of light and the breaker tripped. Don had the windings in the motor repaired and a week later it was back in service.

As time passed I started my own business and got busy so working with the Shopsmith got put on the back burner. With my fading interest Don slipped back into his old routine and then in a horrible slip on the stairs he broke his hip and the Shopsmith was pushed back where it had been for all those years before under the same tarp.

Don never really recovered from his broken hip, even after some slick hip replacement surgery, and his wife and teenaged son told me he was showing signs of dementia. I tried to visit my friend as often as I could and even as the Alzheimer’s progressed he would always remember who I was.

When Don died, ironically of lung cancer him being a lifelong unapologetic smoker, he willed his Shopsmith to me. I learned so much from my friend Don. The Shopsmith languished for years after Don died until finally I was in a position to use it again. Don always wanted to see it taken to its full potential so over the past year I have rebuilt/restored/renewed the old girl from tired old Mark V 500 to an almost new Mark V 510.

If you’re still reading this thanks for hanging in there, please feel free to share your own Shopsmith stories in this thread. I’ll start another thread with my build progress and post pictures of the old girl who is actually older than me by a couple years!

Regards,
Kaz
And thanks Don A. Masterton

[JPG]

Welcome to the funny farm!:D

Sorry about the demise of your friend!!!!

We look forward to seeing pix of your(now) baby!

Great Intro BTW!!!!

P.S. What's yer 20????

[rjent]

Nice story Kaz. Welcome to the forum. Be sure to check out the rebuild thread. Some great machines are in there (including one of mine )

Show us some of your projects.

I am very green at this and just started after retirement ....

Dick

[joedw00]

Welcome to the forum. Nice story, be sure to let us know where you are.

[rlkeeney]

A good read. Thanks for posting your story.

[2centsworth]

A picture is worth ... Where are you located ? Maybe we have members near by. You have definitely found the right place and will soon have you second shopsmith !:D

[WmZiggy]

SS invites more than wood and machinery into our lives. Your story exemplifies that. Welcome to the Forum, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have.

[JPG]

As a more direct 'request', you can reveal your location in the 'User CP'. There is a 'field there to specify your '20'. Once entered and saved, it will appear with your 'moniker'.

[roy_okc]

Kaz,

What a wonderful story. Welcome to the forum.

Roy