Some Advice on a 10 ER

[RonG]

Hi,

My father-in-law Fred passed away awhile back just short of his 100th birthday. He and I are both woodworkers, although with me at 75, he had a few years of experience on me. :-)

The family has asked me to figure out what to do with his Shopsmith. It is a Model 10 ER Serial number 47164. I know just a bit about Shopsmith, enough to know that this one is pretty old. I don't know what parts are supposed to be with it, but Fred took care of his tools. If something is supposed to be with it, it's probably around here somewhere. I can post some pictures once I figure out how to do that.

I have my own tools, so I don't know that I'd want to keep it and get rid of my own tools. I'd want to upgrade it and add some capabilities, and I don't know that it'd be worth the money to do that, if it could even be done.

My other choice would be to pass it on to someone else. I suppose I could try to sell it, but I haven't used it, so I can't promise anything about how well it's working. Or just gift it to someone who enjoys working with these older machines.

I'd be grateful for any thoughts you might have about this. I can post pictures, and happy to provide any further information I can dig up about Fred's machine. Thanks.

[GetterDone]

My condolences about your Father-in-law.

This is a Great story about 2 Woodworkers.

I am glad to hear that you are trying to get this machine in the right place for its future life.

There is a member on here that can get real close to the date of the 10ER you have.

My guess-timation is around 1951 give or take.

I can help you post pictures or share info so you can post them yourself.

An approximate location would help.

Maybe some members may close to you that would purchase this from you.

[jpdalton]

I'd be grateful for any thoughts you might have about this.

I’ve been the grateful recipient of a number of similar machines, and I’ve very much enjoyed the process of knocking off the rust and getting these machines back in the hands of new users. It’s always a thrill to connect with a new user, and see their excitement at finding a low-cost, well restored machine that they can use to start their own woodworking journey.

In my experience there are still plenty of people out there who’ll want a good quality Model 10ER (at a reasonable price ), so hopefully you can find a home for this one too. Best wishes, and good luck!

[RonG]

Hi again,

Thanks for the thoughts.

So, Fred's Shopsmith is located in Park Ridge, IL which is the first ring of suburbs outside of Chicago.

I think if the family could get a few bucks for it, that'd be great, but I don't think they have any thoughts of trying to "make a killing" on it; it's more about finding it a good home.

I think I saw a note at the top of the forum about posting pictures. I'll take a look at that and see if I can add some pictures tomorrow (weds).

Thanks again, guys.
Ron

[chapmanruss]

First let me add my condolences on the loss of your Father-in-law.

Also welcome to the Shopsmith Forum.

Being in IL I am guessing that the serial number has an E or ER in front of it. That would put it being made around 1951. If it has an R in front of the serial number, it was made around 1950. The Model 10's are great woodworking tools that were made to last.

I would not try to upgrade it if you are not going to keep it. Doing so would add costs to you which you may not be able to recover selling it. Also upgrades you add to it may not be something a prospective buyer may be interested in.

Here are some things to know about the Shopsmith Model 10ER 5 in 1 tool. It started in 1947 as the Model 10E which later became the 10ER as changes/improvements were made. The Model 10ER production was discontinued at the end of 1953. In March of 1954 the Mark 5 was introduced to replace it as the Shopsmith 5 in 1 tool. The five functions are Table Saw, Disk Sander, Lathe, Drill Press and Horizontal Boring Machine. It can do a lot more with additional accessories like, for example, the Jig Saw. It can use some accessories used by Shopsmith Mark tools still sold today.

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10E 5 in 1 tool.jpeg (299.23 KiB) Viewed 21108 times

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For additional information about the Shopsmith Model 10E and 10ER see the subject Shopsmith Model 10's What When and Where in the Community section at the link below.

viewtopic.php?t=23647

[RonG]

Hi Russ,

Thanks so much for those thoughts. We all miss Fred. He was a great guy and a superb woodworker. He's the kind of guy who'd see something made of wood at a store or somewhere and go home and make a handful of them, just because he could. When was working, he was a model maker for a tool and die company, so he got used to working with small parts and close tolerances. For awhile, he was making cars in bottles, like 1930s era cars. He had to make his own tools, and used the fat part of toothpicks as dowels rods to hold the pieces together. I think my wife has one of them. If so, I'll take a picture and post it if anyone is interested. Before he passed, and after he had to stop working on small parts because his hands no longer allowed it, he gave me a little box one day that had some metal working tools he used when he was working. The tiniest square I've seen, from England, probably pre-WWII. It is a treasure.

Anyway, I'm going to try and post some pictures of Fred's machine. It looks very much like the one in the pics you posted. Looks to me like he made his own base and legs for it.

Thanks again. Ron

[RonG]

Faceplate of SS.jpg (39.67 KiB) Viewed 21064 times

Here are some pics of the Shopsmith that I hope to pass on to someone who can make a new home for it.

Manual for SS.jpg (33.27 KiB) Viewed 21064 times

Motor end of 10 ER.jpg (43.68 KiB) Viewed 21064 times

Parts for SS.jpg (35.41 KiB) Viewed 21064 times

Saw Table for SS.jpg (34.89 KiB) Viewed 21064 times

Serial Number for SS.jpg (36.21 KiB) Viewed 21064 times

[JPG]

He did indeed take good care of it!

[chapmanruss]

Serial number ER 47164 would have been made about mid 1951 in the Eastern Plant. From the pictures it does appear to be well cared for and looks like it has the items it originally came with from the factory plus an extra or two. Having the original Owner's Guide will help the new owner in set up and use. The PDF below is a supplement for maintenance that I recommend and yes, I wrote it, to add to the original manual. You could print this page to add or suggest to the new owner they get it themself.

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Waxing Supplement Model 10s.pdf

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With it in ready to use condition it will help in finding a new owner. Sales for used Shopsmith tools on craigslist in my area have been very slow as of late but spring is here and projects outside needing to be done may help increase interest.

[RonG]

Hi Russ,

Thanks for that info. So, Fred's Shopsmith is as old as me. Haha, I think it's probably running better than me at this point.

I have printed that page and will include it with the owner's manual. Thanks. With a bit of time, maybe I'll try clean things up a bit per your instructions.

Russ, would you have any thoughts on what kind of price I should list it at? I just want avoid people who might want to just grab it for the scrap metal value, while still finding someone who will give it a good home.

Thanks again. Ron