Serial Number

[dusty]

What I miss is the bottom of the vent plate. I saw both those details the first time. All this babbling about the SN. A reveal of the bottom of the vent plate would likely have avoided all that. I see no reason to question the posters ability to read the 'SS' sn. What I would like to see is the Mark "5" at the bottom left.

I am also sure it reveals the motor size without requiring a look inside.

Just who do you think is questioning the posters ability to do that? All I was doing is trying to figure where that Shopsmith (if it is a Shopsmith) fits in the production serial number charts (either of them).

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/faq/markv.htm

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/serialnumber.htm

There are NO 4 digit serial numbers shown in these charts and there are no serial numbers preceded by the letters SS as part of the serial number (other than 1973 - 1978) which does list 1001 - xxxxx.

[JPG]

I just noticed another 'clue'.

Wrinkled grey paint!

[dusty]

???? Wrinkled Gray = 1984 or later ????

But serial numbers at that time were 5 digit (all numeric)

There is something about the production series at that time that differs from my understanding of Shopsmith convention.

Obvious Question not asked ...... when did you buy the unit OR better yet ..when did the previous owner buy it originally for his wife? Was it new then or used?

[JPG]

Wrinkled gray = early production by SS Inc.

1972 - ?

[rickm808]

Wrinkled gray = early production by SS Inc.

1972 - ?

FWIW, The serial number of my Mark V is SS 6555, purchased new, unassembled, from a west coast distributor in December 1975 (for $700). Vent plate says Tipp City Ohio. And yes paint is wrinkle finish french grey.

[dusty]

Wrinkled gray = early production by SS Inc.

1972 - ?

FWIW, The serial number of my Mark V is SS 6555, purchased new, unassembled, from a west coast distributor in December 1975 (for $700). Vent plate says Tipp City Ohio. And yes paint is wrinkle finish french grey.

Thank you for that post and the information. This pulls together a number of loose ends for me.

As delivered then in 1975, it was a Model 500.

On the serial number chart in that year, I don't even see that serial number. In fact, they don't even claim ti have had production. You say you assemled it. That may be a key factor.

Thanks again for the info. It has been very helpful.

[JPG]

Wrinkled gray = early production by SS Inc.

1972 - ?

FWIW, The serial number of my Mark V is SS 6555, purchased new, unassembled, from a west coast distributor in December 1975 (for $700). Vent plate says Tipp City Ohio. And yes paint is wrinkle finish french grey.

Thank you for that post and the information. This pulls together a number of loose ends for me.

As delivered then in 1975, it was a Model 500.

On the serial number chart in that year, I don't even see that serial number. In fact, they don't even claim ti have had production. You say you assemled it. That may be a key factor.

Thanks again for the info. It has been very helpful.

I am more inclined to say it was a Mark 5.

[rickm808]

I am more inclined to say it was a Mark 5.

JPG you are correct my vent plate clearly shows it's a Mark 5, though all the literature delivered with it (dated August 1973) refers to it as a Mark V. And it is a 500 as Dusty correctly points out, however IIRC the 500 moniker didn't exist until the 510 upgrade was introduced in 19??. When Shopsmith Inc started remanufacturing the ShopSmith in 1973 was that when they changed over from Mark V to Mark 5?

[JPG]

I am more inclined to say it was a Mark 5.

JPG you are correct my vent plate clearly shows it's a Mark 5, though all the literature delivered with it (dated August 1973) refers to it as a Mark V. And it is a 500 as Dusty correctly points out, however IIRC the 500 moniker didn't exist until the 510 upgrade was introduced in 19??. When Shopsmith Inc started remanufacturing the ShopSmith in 1973 was that when they changed over from Mark V to Mark 5?

No. See Reible's in another thread. He has one(at least) of each.

SS Inc. resumed Mark 5 production in 72/73 and if Ed's dates are correct they became Mark Vs around 1978.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... 61#p202861