Maintaining an Old School Shopsmith

[JPG]

The carriage is indeed on backwards.

I hope you have a work table that mounts to the carriage(if not they are often on ebay). Mark 5 or Mark V 500 version.

This may be helpful, although it is a newer version.

[dusty]

Now I would say that this is the perfect machine on which to hone your maintenance and repair skills. As long as it runs and you don't have to start right off with a much of expensive items to buy, it is time to tear into it to see what you can learn.

If it does have a gilmer drive, be content with that at least for a while. Updating just to get rid of the gilmer is not likely to be real inexpensive

Be leery of double negatives. I meant, it might be expensive.

[Nromanin]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info and the encouragement. I plan on taking the whole thing apart, cleaning it up, and painting it. The motor still works fine, and I have the following accessories:

Table saw
12" disc sander
Drill chuck
Lathe spindles
Jointer

The pic was taken after I started taking her apart, so that's why some things seem to be missing, but the main headstock and frame all seem to be there and are functional, just need some cleaning up.


I'll look for that name plate and serial number.

[wa2crk]

Hi it's me again and I am confused again.( becoming a normal condition) Is the carriage on backwards or is it assembled wrong? Aren't both of the locking handles on the carriage supposed to be on the operator's side of the headstock? It looks like the casting is installed properly but the table pinion is installed from the back side. This would make it cumbersome to go from the rear to the front of the machine to reach the locks.
Bill V

[billmayo]

Just remove the handle and wing nut assembly from the carriage that moves the table tubes. Pull the pinion shaft out and insert it from the opposite side. Install the handle and wing nut assembly. Either of the pinion shafts can be swapped from the opposite side. You want the front of the fence and the main table front to be on the same side as the headstock speed control assembly.

[JPG]

Hi it's me again and I am confused again.( becoming a normal condition) Is the carriage on backwards or is it assembled wrong? Aren't both of the locking handles on the carriage supposed to be on the operator's side of the headstock? It looks like the casting is installed properly but the table pinion is installed from the back side. This would make it cumbersome to go from the rear to the front of the machine to reach the locks.
Bill V

How did I miss that?

[Bruce]

Hi it's me again and I am confused again.( becoming a normal condition) Is the carriage on backwards or is it assembled wrong? Aren't both of the locking handles on the carriage supposed to be on the operator's side of the headstock? It looks like the casting is installed properly but the table pinion is installed from the back side. This would make it cumbersome to go from the rear to the front of the machine to reach the locks.
Bill V

How did I miss that?

I saw it, but figured it might be due to it being an older version than I have. I never thought you could put it in backwards.

[wa2crk]

As for the age question. I will put the age at 55 or more. It has a Gilmer drive which SS changed to the Poly V belt in 1960.
Bill V

[everettdavis]

The age is likely close to 60 or slightly more as Shopsmith went to the "B" Series Headstock in mid 1955 which had the inspection port opening (which can be cut and there are threads here talking about how to do just that)

The single belt inspection port opening is an absolute indicator that this is one of the "A" Series Sand Cast Headstocks cast 1954 to early 1955, 60 years ago.

I know some prefer not to deal with the older A series (much stronger and heavier casting) headstocks, but I would be remiss if I did not point out that even this headstock can be taken to a current PowerPro.

With what we know about dust accumulation and not needing the port to do frequent lubrication of the quadrant and sheaves which would no longer exist after upgrading, that service port hole is far less necessary with a DVR PowerPro upgrade.

I have one or two right now, that I am pre-drilling for a PowerPro ready upgrade should anyone ever desire to do that later.

I am upgrading to Poly-V from the gilmer drives and quills, and installing 1 1/8 HP motor, but keeping the 'A' headstocks.

Everything you have is serviceable and there are excellent posts on how to service that gilmer drive which is crucial to keep well maintained. Gilmer belts can be still be ordered from Shopsmith, as well as both green paints, though some prefer the Rustolelum Verde Green hammered and silver hammered paint. Both will do a beautiful restoration if you take your time.

Welcome to the Shopsmith family. It's nice to know we have younger folks like you who see the value in restoring these remarkable machines.