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Just bought a Shopsmith Mark V

BTMac

I have been wanting a lathe, jointer and bandsaw for a while. Saw a nice looking Mark V on FB so I thought I would give it a shot. The unit is apparently from 1981, but seems to be in pretty good condition. Came with a bunch of accessories including the jointer and bandsaw. Interested to try overhead routing with it as well

Anyone want to buy a Jet 17" drill press? I think the Shopsmith will be at least as good for that.

Shopsmith Mark V 1.jpg

Shopsmith Mark V acc.jpg

[deleted]

Wow, looks like a good haul and a great start for you! Congrats and welcome to the forum.

edma194

That's a nice set of accessories it came with. A tenon master, mortising tool, shaper, molder, you got it goin' there. You're gonna have so much fun with your first Shopsmith.

JPG

Very nice "starter".

chapmanruss

I agree with the other guys, a nice collection of Shopsmith tools and accessories. You even have two additional Wide Extension Tables besides the original Extension Table. The serial numbers for the Mark V, Bandsaw and Jointer would tell when they were made. I did notice a couple of things. I don't see the Table Insert on the Bandsaw or it may just be the picture angle. The other thing I noticed is the part called the "shoe" for the Upper Saw Guard is not on it but is with the items you received. It is the part in the circle in your picture below.

You will want this attached to the front of the upper Guard before using, as shown in place in the picture below. Without it the upper guard cannot lift up over the materiel being cut.

Do the recommended Maintenance and Lubrication before using and enjoy your new to you Shopsmith tools. If needed we are here to help.

BTMac Shopsmith circle.jpg

505627 Upper and 505628 Lower Saw Blade Guards r.jpg

DaOldGuy

I am new on this forum and was looking to ask questions and I seen this thread, if ok I would like to ask a couple related questions.

Short Version.

Seen an ad for a $100 Lathe, in my normal manner jumped in car to grab it, never looked up anything.

Turns out, serial number indicates it is a 1955 and the manuals with it state Mark 5.

I have heard in the research after purchase, these early versions tend to push the frame to separate and is an apparent risk. I have not seen if there are corrective measures that that can be taken to correct.

Please feel free to point me to another place if this is not proper to ask here. The above looks like a really nice newer version than I have.

Ron

jsburger

DaOldGuy wrote I am new on this forum and was looking to ask questions and I seen this thread, if ok I would like to ask a couple related questions.

Short Version.

Seen an ad for a $100 Lathe, in my normal manner jumped in car to grab it, never looked up anything.

Turns out, serial number indicates it is a 1955 and the manuals with it state Mark 5.

I have heard in the research after purchase, these early versions tend to push the frame to separate and is an apparent risk. I have not seen if there are corrective measures that that can be taken to correct.

Please feel free to point me to another place if this is not proper to ask here. The above looks like a really nice newer version than I have.

Ron

First of all, welcome to the forum. There are lots of knowledgeable people here and we are all willing to answer your questions. So don't hesitate to ask.

As far as "these early versions tend to push the frame to separate ", I have never heard of that. The base frame of your '55 is essentially the same as the one pictured in this thread and for that matter the brand new ones you can buy today. So I would disregard that "issue" completely. No fix required.

DaOldGuy

Thank You John... What I was reading indicated how the pipes clamp into the frames and the newer had a set screw/pin from the top that prevented that separating with the lathe pressure. Since everything you read on the internet is true (grin) I wanted to air the subject in a good place and I also don't wish to get hurt.

On the Shop Smith web site, there was an FAQ post that asked

"Do you buy back Mark V?"

"We do not currently offer a buy-back program."

I was not sure why that would even be asked, but it is at the top of the list.

Another question if I might. For the tool holders that slide on the way bars, has that width and diameter always been static so different models may interchange? Mark V verses a 502 or the other models newer? I have noticed the newer mount that the tool rest sets into that has a adjustment wheel which my current one does not.

Thanks

jsburger

Yes, the way tube diameter and spacing is the same on all models.

beeg

DaOldGuy wrote ...different models may interchange? Mark V verses a 502 or the other models newer?

Thanks

The 500,502,505,510 and 520 models. Refer to the table sizes, the motor and frame are all the same.

JPG

The later models have a wheel in place of the earlier repositionable handle.

The way tube spacing has NOT changed since the original Mark 5 (greenie) which your is.

SS has maintained a great effort to insure compatibility between model variations when possible. Even so far as to include stuff from the original model 10. It IS possible to upgrade yours all the way up to the current Mark 7.(I do not recommend that as it will likely not be necessary and would be more expensive than purchasing a new Mark 7, but it IS possible)

You may be referring to a damage suit that claimed the set screw retention was inadequate. All here would consider that mystery meat.

Welcome to the madness.

DaOldGuy

Thanks folks, I was hopeful that was the case.

DaOldGuy

"You may be referring to a damage suit that claimed the set screw retention was inadequate. All here would consider that mystery meat.

Welcome to the madness."

Ah... Lawyers were involved --> keep an eye on your equipment, tighten things now and again, pragmatic ownership.

Speaking of Greene, if I attached the picture correctly, the end cover with the Serial and chassis is green, the head seems to have 2 forms of tan, may have been replaced at some point? Not sure if there is any way outside of the serial to understand more.

JPG

Yep there is.

You have a "Type "A" headstock. It is the earlier sand cast version(heavier, thicker walls)

The belt cover screws tell the tale. And the wide headstock mold sprue [aka joint].

The two tone casting/motor pan colors is the result of the passage of time.

The saw blade cover(s) is not period accurate, but is an example of the upgradability.

You done good!

edma194

DaOldGuy wrote What I was reading indicated how the pipes clamp into the frames and the newer had a set screw/pin from the top that prevented that separating with the lathe pressure.

The newer machines have that set screw on top of the way tubes. They are simply relocated from the bottom for convenience, nothing new structurally.

JPG

Yep just like a M10! I do not understand WHY they were relocated on the M5 unless the same mentality that decided to fill in the headstock set screws with whatever that stuff is to prevent unwary souls from monkeying with them.

DaOldGuy

Indeed the saw was an upgraded version, there is much plastic involved. I took it all off yesterday to use my Mahindra to lift, with straps, off of the trailer and set in the garage. The Jointer was very old like the rest.

Cleaning and recommended maintenance will be next and setting it up.

chapmanruss

As others have already said "You done good". There are some differences as JPG stated. One not mentioned yet is the bench tubes which were larger in diameter (1-7/8") on the Mark 5 Greenies as opposed to later bench tubes being the same diameter (1-3/4") as all way tubes.

If you want to learn more about the Shopsmith Mark 5 changes check out Shopsmith Mark 5 What When and Where from here in the Community section at the link below.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=24963

For more information on maintenance and restoration check out the following thread from the Maintenance and Repair section titled Everything Mark 5/V - Technical info, documentation, links at the link below.

https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=5092

This thread can always be found as one of the first 4 threads pinned to the top of the Maintenance and Repair section.

If your Jointer is a green Magna Model 620 it is from the same era as the Mark 5. It may be old but, again like the Mark 5, changes/upgrades to the Jointer over the years can still be added to older Jointers.

DaOldGuy

Thank you for the additional links, this will help me get to some key points. The jointer is greene (not sure of model) and showing the most rust likely from storage maybe. The Bench tube are going to need some navel jelly and care to clean them up, the way tubes not nearly as bad but care is required too. I have an area for it that has year round climate control to keep it from getting worst.

I have to spread out everything on tables and see what is here, we were searching the shed it came from for over an hour to locate anything shop smith. Sadly, the prior owner / craftsman had passed away a year ago so no one in the family really new all the bits and location hidden.

What made it worst, I had no clue, never even heard of this company or product so I did not know what I was looking for unless in was labeled shop smith. You all have been very helpful.

Ron

JPG

Your immediate "need" is to obtain a can of Johnson's Original Paste Floor wax (commonly referred to as JPW herein) [OR EQUIVALENT}. Sadly it went out of production this year and is now quite scarce. Equivalents are Trewax and Minwax paste finishing wax.

I know paste floor wax and paste finishing wax does not make much sense now, but you WILL learn to appreciate them.