Very old shopsmith

[greasemonkey2275]

OK given that this thing has been sitting in garages and not touched for 30 years besides general clean up what should I do to resurrect this thing or should I bring it someplace and have them tune it up.

Depending on how mechanically inclined you are you can probably do most of the restoration yourself like I did. Unfortunately for me, my '58 wasn't running when I purchased it but with all of the help you can get from this forum and online you'll have it in tip-top condition in no time. Just to show what a little time and motivation can do I have included a before and after pics of my recent (and ongoing) SS restoration.

30 days later

FullSizeRender (1).jpg (366.29 KiB) Viewed 3305 times

30 days later

IMG_0229.JPG (378.36 KiB) Viewed 3305 times

[JPG]

OK given that this thing has been sitting in garages and not touched for 30 years besides general clean up what should I do to resurrect this thing or should I bring it someplace and have them tune it up.

Depending on how mechanically inclined you are you can probably do most of the restoration yourself like I did. Unfortunately for me, my '58 wasn't running when I purchased it but with all of the help you can get from this forum and online you'll have it in tip-top condition in no time. Just to show what a little time and motivation can do I have included a before and after pics of my recent (and ongoing) SS restoration.

FullSizeRender (1).jpg

IMG_0229.JPG

I think there is a 'Whoops' with the left caster.

[greasemonkey2275]

I think there is a 'Whoops' with the left caster.

I originally had the foot lever on the same side but even with the cam aligned and the Allen screws in their original holes the casters lifted differently. The left side came up higher than the right and I had to stick my boot deeper into the leg just to raise it. When I reversed it, like it is now, it raises at the same intervals. Maybe I need to go back to the sticky threads and see if I missed the manual for those. FWIW I restored one caster set at a time since I didn't have a manual to reference.

[greasemonkey2275]

I just found the thread; I'm curious to see where I erred in reassembly.

[JPG]

I just found the thread; I'm curious to see where I erred in reassembly.

Yes they are a bit like a Chinese puzzle.

The 'secret' is to visualize the operation as it is being reassembled.

The foot pedal crank can be attached oriented two ways to the shaft, and two ways around the shaft(4 ways total).

Ditto the cams.

The assembled shaft can be inserted into the end caps two different ways.

The foot pedal must 'extend' the proper arm as the shaft is rotating the cams through the three 'stop' positions.

The stop positions raise it half up then full up, then down.

The newer casters also have 'extra' holes making the shaft an additional variable(makes the shaft ambidextrous)

Visualization includes which end of the shaft the foot pedal will be when attached to the ends and the leg.

P.S. Since the 'tie rod' is drilled at original assembly, it can also be attached 4 different ways only one of which = the original.

[jsburger]

I just found the thread; I'm curious to see where I erred in reassembly.

Yes they are a bit like a Chinese puzzle.

The 'secret' is to visualize the operation as it is being reassembled.

The foot pedal crank can be attached oriented two ways to the shaft, and two ways around the shaft(4 ways total).

Ditto the cams.

The assembled shaft can be inserted into the end caps two different ways.

The foot pedal must 'extend' the proper arm as the shaft is rotating the cams through the three 'stop' positions.

The stop positions raise it half up then full up, then down.

The newer casters also have 'extra' holes making the shaft an additional variable(makes the shaft ambidextrous)

Visualization includes which end of the shaft the foot pedal will be when attached to the ends and the leg.

P.S. Since the 'tie rod' is drilled at original assembly, it can also be attached 4 different ways only one of which = the original.

One thing I found with 10ER casters is that the holes for the roll pins that hold the cams in place on the shaft are not all positioned the same. If you don't put the same cam on the same end of the same shaft the holes may not line up and you won't be able to install the roll pin. Don't ask me how I know. Not sure if that is a problem with MK V casters since I have never taken one apart.

[charlese]

Hey there Greasemonkey! Although you have an issue with the casters on the left side, Let's no ignore the FACT - that is a beautiful job of restoration!!!!!

One time, a while back, I had to drill new holes for the roll pins in the cross bar in order to align the renovated casters on my machine.

Don't remember why, but it worked.

[greasemonkey2275]

Hey there Greasemonkey! Although you have an issue with the casters on the left side, Let's no ignore the FACT - that is a beautiful job of restoration!!!!!

Thanks charlese, I appreciate the attaboy. I've got another coat of paint to put on the main jointer table and then it will be ready for reassembly and I will be able to check that off the restoration list!

[JPG]

Hey there Greasemonkey! Although you have an issue with the casters on the left side, Let's no ignore the FACT - that is a beautiful job of restoration!!!!!

Thanks charlese, I appreciate the attaboy. I've got another coat of paint to put on the main jointer table and then it will be ready for reassembly and I will be able to check that off the restoration list!

When finished, post a few pix http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/maint ... t5497.html

[algale]

Nice restore! I've said it many times and will say it again: the Greenies are the best looking Shopsmiths of all and if I ever need to repaint my 520 it is going to end up with Greenie colors.