Shopsmith Mark 2

[jlhanes]

Does anyone know anything about the Mark 2? I picked one up about 10 years ago and its been sitting in my garage.

[chapmanruss]

The Shopsmith Mark 2 was made from 1958 to 1960. It was another 5-in-1 tool. The Mark 2 was made at Montgomery Ward’s request and sold primarily by them. It was not made to the same quality standards as the Mark V and was a lower cost alternative. It uses two 2-step pulleys to change the 7 speeds (much like the Model 10E and 10ER) and has lower quality locks to hold the headstock, carriage, etc. in place. It has an extra saw blade slot on the main table (a feature added to the Mark 5 in the 1960’s and 1970’s). Some have bench tubes while others have “C” channels to connect the bench ends together. It has a narrow step shape extension table that creates its own fence and serves as the tailstock also. The Mark V Headstock will fit on the Mark 2 frame. The most common item I have seen missing on ones I have seen for sale is the belt cover. The belt cover is important not only for safety but it has the pulley speeds listed on the inside of the cover.

Speed Chart from inside the belt cover

Speed Chart c.jpg (157.36 KiB) Viewed 4515 times

It is interesting that standard motor speed is 1725 not 1750 as shown on the chart. This is much like it was with the early Model 10E Manuals.

[JPG]

The Shopsmith Mark 2 was made from 1958 to 1960. It was another 5-in-1 tool. The Mark 2 was made at Montgomery Ward’s request and sold primarily by them. It was not made to the same quality standards as the Mark V and was a lower cost alternative. It uses two 2-step pulleys to change the 7 speeds (much like the Model 10E and 10ER) and has lower quality locks to hold the headstock, carriage, etc. in place. It has an extra saw blade slot on the main table (a feature added to the Mark 5 in the 1960’s and 1970’s). Some have bench tubes while others have “C” channels to connect the bench ends together. It has a narrow step shape extension table that creates its own fence and serves as the tailstock also. The Mark V Headstock will fit on the Mark 2 frame. The most common item I have seen missing on ones I have seen for sale is the belt cover. The belt cover is important not only for safety but it has the pulley speeds listed on the inside of the cover.Speed Chart c.jpgIt is interesting that standard motor speed is 1725 not 1750 as shown on the chart. This is much like it was with the early Model 10E Manuals.

A difference of less than 1.5%. The rpm number is not a standard value and is merely a nominal speed. Actual mechanical power output will alter the running rpm.