Starting Shopsmith journey, with questions.

[Leatherneck]

I have acquired two Mark V 500s with some accessories, bandsaw, jointer, belt sander. They were a barn find and I have worked at cleaning them up, de-rusting and lubricating them. Everything seems to be working at this time and I don’t plan on restoring them anytime soon because I plan to use them extensively as I transition into retiree status. Both units are missing the lathe components and I am currently trying to locate bargain replacements. I did receive an owners manual along with a self study course manual and VCR tape. These are a big help.
I checked the serial numbers and both units were manufactured in 1985. How do I check the for dates of manufacture on the accessories? As I was cleaning the jointer I was unable to remove/disassemble the blades. I’m sure they need sharpened and cleaned but can’t seem to get them apart. They’ve been soaked in penetrating oil but I haven’t been able to find a solution to get it apart. I don’t want to buy new parts if I don’t have to. Am I missing something? Also the bandsaw has a two colored shell. One side is gray and the other is olive green. Is this a normal thing or is one side a replacement?
I am sure I will have more questions as I make progress and start making saw dust and I thank you for the help and answers.

[JPG]

On the jointer, look near the ends of the blades for a hex socket screw(5/32 of course) that adjusts the height of the blades. Backing those screws out should break the blades and wedges free.

The two tone band saw cover is a replacement.


Welcome to the madness!

[chapmanruss]

Leatherneck,

Welcome to the Shopsmith Forum. Congratulations on your retirement.

Sounds like you are well on your way to using your new to you tools. Follow the recommended lubrication in the manual but I would suggest adding a couple extra drops of oil when lubricating the Motor Shaft and Idler Shaft Sheaves.

As for the date of manufacture for the Bandsaw, Jointer and Belt Sander I can help you with those. I don't believe they are listed any longer on the Shopsmith website. Just need the serial number including any prefix like SS and the color of the tool can also be helpful. The Bandsaw having one side gray and the other green tells me one was replaced. If the front plastic cover is gray that would be the replacement. Less likely would be a green front cover. The Green painted tools are from the 1950's. That doesn't mean your Bandsaw is outdated as it can be upgraded to any current feature if desired.

As JPG said the screws near the edge on each end of the Jointer's Cutterhead can be lowered besides removing the three screws in each wedge to help remove the wedges and knives. Sometimes a little lifting of the wedge from the ends will help.

You said you have the manual for the Mark V but did you get manuals for the Bandsaw, Jointer and Belt Sander? The most recent Bandsaw Manuals, one for the Cast Iron Table (older) and the one for the current Aluminum Table are available for download as a PDF from here on the Shopsmith Website for free at the link below. Scroll down to the Bandsaw and the list is not all in alphabetical order. Neither the Jointer nor Belt Sander manuals are currently available here from Shopsmith. If needed, you can ask questions here.

https://www.shopsmith.com/manuals-information

There is also a lot of other manuals and instruction sheets available at that link.

[HopefulSSer]

On the jointer, look near the ends of the blades for a hex socket screw(5/32 of course) that adjusts the height of the blades. Backing those screws out should break the blades and wedges free.

The two tone band saw cover is a replacement.


Welcome to the madness!

Just to add -- you might find after backing down the adjustment screws that you need to place a piece of hardwood on the knives and give it a little rap with a hammer. The knives have a slight wedge profile, as does the retainer, so they might be wedged tight. Driving the knives downward slightly will break them free. Obviously do not do this in a way that will damage the knives!

[jsburger]

To get the jointer blades out you need an Apex holder and a short hex bit. The screws get very tight from use. It is not always a matter of corrosion. The SS L shaped and T handle hex keys have too much flex in them and don't apply enough torque to break the screws loose. I could not get the screws out of my SS Pro Planer using the normal SS hex key. They were not corroded just extremely tight. An Apex holder and bit did the trick.

[Leatherneck]

Thank you for the replies. I’m gonna get back out to the shop and give the blades another try. As far as the accessories, the bandsaw serial # is SS115970, the jointer is SS74648, and the belt sander is SS48075. The color on all is gray. The bandsaw’s front cover is green and the table is cast iron. I did receive manuals for the accessories but not at the time I picked up the Marks. It took a couple weeks to locate the literature. I’ve also received a couple pieces that I am unable to identify and will probably post pictures when I get to them. Thanks again for the help. Semper Fi

[chapmanruss]

Here is when your SPT's (Special Purpose Tools) were made. These are from the starting serial numbers by month that Shopsmith previously listed on this website.

Jointer serial number SS74648 was made in May 1984
Belt Sander serial number SS48075 was made about July 1985 (starting serial numbers not listed for July and August 1985)
Bandsaw serial number SS115970 was made in November 1985

Since the cover is green on your Bandsaw it was a replacement, although odd that they used one from the 1950's. The Cast Iron Table for your Bandsaw is original. The change from the Cast Iron to the Aluminum Table for the Bandsaw occurred in early 1992.

If desired all three of your SPT's can be upgraded, if they have not already been done, to the most recent features. For the Belt Sander, if it has the 1-1/4" dust collection port, I would highly recommend upgrading to the 2-1/2" dust collection port. Much better dust collection with the 2-1/2" port and an easy change. It is the Belt Sander Dust Chute part number 51485402 and is $14.95 making it one of the lower cost improvements. I would add that this is my opinion and that I do not work for Shopsmith, although it may sound like it at times. I am just a big fan of their tools.

[Leatherneck]

Thanks Russ. The information is much appreciated. I have found that I will upgrade the dust collector. Upgrading the tables and whatnot to a 510 or 520 are on the radar as well. I am enjoying using and learning the Mark V in its current 500 version. As far as the jointer goes, all the screws are out and loose. The blades are still stuck in place and I haven’t decided how to strike them in an attempt to dislodge them.

[chapmanruss]

Use caution trying to get the Knives out of the Jointer Cutterhead. Even dulled Knives can cut through skin. Having the Cutterhead out of the Jointer would make it easier to push the Wedges up and out from underneath with something like a flat screwdriver. Push up only on the Wedge. The Knives are slightly wedge shaped too. To remove the Cutterhead from the Jointer requires separating the Infeed Table from the Base/Outfeed Table. To do that remove the nut and 5 washers shown in the red circle in the picture below. Once the Cutterhead assembly is removed you may need to remove, by sliding off, the Bearing Housings (mounting blocks) to get to the underside of the Wedges.

When reassembling the Jointer stack the washers in the following order, flat-spring-flat-spring-flat. The Spring Washers are rather thick but have a waviness to them. Do not over tighten the nut or the Infeed Table will not move to adjust the depth of the cut. Before reassembling I would recommend cleaning and waxing the contact points between the Infeed and Outfeed/Base Tables.

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[Leatherneck]

That is a daunting task. One which I will tackle in the next few days. I am using everything now except the jointer and the lathe. I have a couple projects for these tools but still need time and research to find the parts I need. Semper Fi.