My Bride is Gonna Kill Me! Buying a Shopsmith Mark 2 on a Business Trip!

[Chad]

Chad,

This is a great example of how a subject Scott introduces in his video can be expanded on when subjects are in separate threads.

I agree. Thanks, Russ.

Wow, that's amazing. I thought maybe they had one of those cardboard wheel speed charts; which I've seen for the 10E & 10ER.

I can't say I'm a fan of the lathe tailstock on the MK 2 though. Probably great for doing off center work. How does that perform?

[JPG]

Aside from the belt cover that is a remarkably complete M2.

[chapmanruss]

Chad, you asked,

I can't say I'm a fan of the lathe tailstock on the MK 2 though. Probably great for doing off center work. How does that perform?

I haven't used it since I wanted to restore the Mark 2's including replacing the power cords. A safety thing. It can use the Mark 5 Tailstock in place of the "Tailstock" part that clamps onto the Extension Table. Definitely more work for change overs to align it each time you want to use the Lathe function. Both vertically and horizontally.

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Mark 2 Tailstock mounted.jpg (52.34 KiB) Viewed 1094 times

With Mark V tailstock.jpg (130.96 KiB) Viewed 1094 times

[JPG]

IIRC the M2 tailstock is positioned horizontally by a notch in the 'extension table'. The vertical is controlled by stop rings same as a M5. Horizontal is adjusted by the mounting of the extrusion to the legs.

[jpdalton]

That was lucky. I don't know much about the MK 2, and wouldn't pretend to. So, I didn't know that label existed. I figured the MK 2 was similar with a 10E or 10ER in that it had a belt speed chart, and was separate from the machine. Not being labeled somewhere on the machine itself.

Chad - looks like there’s another Shopsmith model out there waiting to be added to your collection!!

[jpdalton]

Aside from the belt cover that is a remarkably complete M2.

Yeah, I was impressed with that too. There were a couple of issues - cracked motor pulley and cracked table fence - but I got replacements for those from the same guy who sold me my soon-to-be-broken-in-transit belt cover. There was no sanding disc (got plenty), and the former owner was able to find the tailstock when I noticed that was missing too.

[Chad]

IIRC the M2 tailstock is positioned horizontally by a notch in the 'extension table'. The vertical is controlled by stop rings same as a M5. Horizontal is adjusted by the mounting of the extrusion to the legs.

Sounds like a lot of work and checking the setup just to use the lathe tailstock on the MK 2. The MK V tailstock would have to be much more solid than the tailstock setup on a MK 2. Being I don't own a MK2 and have never used one, but I do own and use 3 MK V's, and knowing how simple and accurate the tailstock of a MK V is; I'm just speculating here.
I wonder why they didn't simply include a MK V tailstock with the MK 2?
I guess the thinking might have been either they figured most owners wouldn't do much between centers turning on their MK 2, or the cost of a MK V tailstock would have broke their targeted selling price of the MK 2...?

[Chad]

That was lucky. I don't know much about the MK 2, and wouldn't pretend to. So, I didn't know that label existed. I figured the MK 2 was similar with a 10E or 10ER in that it had a belt speed chart, and was separate from the machine. Not being labeled somewhere on the machine itself.

Chad - looks like there’s another Shopsmith model out there waiting to be added to your collection!!

But my workshop is full already! What to do, what to do?

Speaking of that; a couple weeks ago I picked up the following from a single seller:
A SS power station
Another 6" belt sander
A SS Pro Planer (missing the dust chute, which I have one, and the casters, which I do not have)
Another SS DC3300 dust collector (steel housing, unfortunately)
Another 3x21 variable speed Porter Cable belt sander (with elbow and dust bag)
A 4x24 Porter Cable belt sander (with elbow and dust bag)
Another 5" Porter Cable random orbit sander
2) 24" Shopsmith double bar clamps
2) 48" Shopsmith double bar clamps
A Shopsmith wall clock
A complete SS lathe duplicator (that will be headed to North Carolina)
A SS Sawsmith 2000 (with casters and the short Excalibur fence system, that will be headed to North Carolina)

[Chad]

Russ, does a MK 2 have a depth stop lock on the quill? Doesn't appear to have one, in the picture you posted.

[jpdalton]

or the cost of a MK V tailstock would have broke their targeted selling price of the MK 2...?

This exactly! If you were to see one in person, I’m guessing you’d be astounded at how cheaply made it is. I know I was… Lots of sheet metal parts, thin castings, and small surfaces. I find it a quaint nostalgia piece that warrants a restoration, but I’ll never be a hard-core advocate of these.