All
I purchased a shopsmith off from craigslist. I believe it is a MarkV without the extra floating tables. The SN is 211769.
It appears to have very little use.
I am green into woodworking and I have a router and table with a jigsaw and circular saw. Then I saw the shopsmith and it has all I think I need to get a good start.
I got the manual with it and it has a textbook of lessons in it to explore the shopsmith.
I guess my main question is where does one start? I would suspose with the alignment checking that is in the manual but then what do I make. Please remember I am new to this woodworking thing.
Also I dont have a blade guard for the tablesaw. That concerns me. Can I fab one or buy a used one?
Thanks,
Wholeshoe
Brand New Shopsmith Owner
Moderator: admin
I just got mine this weekend from Craigslist also....
Here is a link to the serial number lookup, http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/serialnumber.htm
I don't see yours listed here, so it could be like mine from the 60's or early 70's
The guys on here are awesome, do you have a picture, that would help us/them determine the age...
I'd subscribe to Wood Magazine, it's my favorite woodworking publication, they also put on what they call the Woodworking Shows all over the country, that's very helpful also...
There is so much information out there, my dad is a woodworker, so I was introduced to it at a young age. Good move on the shopsmith...
Good luck and have fun!
Here is a link to the serial number lookup, http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/serialnumber.htm
I don't see yours listed here, so it could be like mine from the 60's or early 70's
The guys on here are awesome, do you have a picture, that would help us/them determine the age...
I'd subscribe to Wood Magazine, it's my favorite woodworking publication, they also put on what they call the Woodworking Shows all over the country, that's very helpful also...
There is so much information out there, my dad is a woodworker, so I was introduced to it at a young age. Good move on the shopsmith...
Good luck and have fun!
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dusty
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 21481
- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
- Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona
wholeshoe wrote:All
I purchased a shopsmith off from craigslist. I believe it is a MarkV without the extra floating tables. The SN is 211769.
It appears to have very little use.
I am green into woodworking and I have a router and table with a jigsaw and circular saw. Then I saw the shopsmith and it has all I think I need to get a good start.
I got the manual with it and it has a textbook of lessons in it to explore the shopsmith.
I guess my main question is where does one start? I would suspose with the alignment checking that is in the manual but then what do I make. Please remember I am new to this woodworking thing.
Also I dont have a blade guard for the tablesaw. That concerns me. Can I fab one or buy a used one?
Thanks,
Wholeshoe
Congratulations on your new Mark V and welcome to the forum. I am certain that you will enjoy the time you spend with your machine. I certainly do.
Serial number 211769 - I think that was manufactured in the Nov-Dec 1985 time frame. If I am correct, it is gray in color and is lightly textured (sort of like sand in the paint). I think it will have the two bearing quill, the poly-V belt system and a 1 1/8 hp motor.
If I am incorrect in any of my conclusions, you will be rightly informed very soon I am sure. Just wait for the consensus report. These guys on this forum are good, they won't let me misinform you.
Whatever it is, clean and lubricate the puppy. Align it according to the documentation that you received and go make some saw dust.
Once again, welcome.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Apparently you have a model 500. I'll recommend the upgrade saw guard system 505875. It's a little pricey, but way cheaper than a detached finger. Using the saw guard is a good habit to develop. I've been using my Shopsmith for 26 years and can honestly saw that I've never even had a close call. I've upgraded two 500's with this system. It will also set you up to efficiently to collect dust, a more subtle health hazard.
One of the older editions of "Power tool Woodworking for Everyone", by R.J. DeCristoforo, covers virtually every aspect of the model 500's operation. Another great book is "Woodworking Wisdom" by Nick Engler. These books are easy to find on various internet book sources.
We're glad to have you aboard. Keep us posted.
One of the older editions of "Power tool Woodworking for Everyone", by R.J. DeCristoforo, covers virtually every aspect of the model 500's operation. Another great book is "Woodworking Wisdom" by Nick Engler. These books are easy to find on various internet book sources.
We're glad to have you aboard. Keep us posted.
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dusty
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 21481
- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
- Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona
Yes, it is all good, at least from this owner's point of view. There are upgrades that you could do but I personally believe it is far to soon for you to be considering upgrades unless you have money that just must be circulated.wholeshoe wrote:Is all of what you said about my machine good?? It does have a grey crinkle finish.
Wholeshoe
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/faq/markv.htm
I believe your machine is the first one pictured in the following link. The other two pictured are the units with upgraded table systems.
http://www.shopsmith.com/markvsite/purchaseNB.htm
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
Dusty
Sent from my Dell XPS using Firefox.
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JPG
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 35457
- Joined: Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:42 pm
- Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)
ALL of what Dusty said is GOOD! The most important thing he said was about lubricating it! The relevant parts are the control sheave and motor sheave. According to the resident 'OLD' ShopSmith guru (Bill Mayo) the most often encountered problem encountered is LACK of proper lubrication of these parts. The second most observed condition is the excellent condition of those that HAVE had proper lubrication. The SS literature explains how to do this, but Bill recommends more oil on the control sheaves than the SS instructions.wholeshoe wrote:Is all of what you said about my machine good?? It does have a grey crinkle finish.
Wholeshoe
If I were to add any advice, it would be to proceed slowly and not rush into anything. Get comfortable with it and BE SAFE.
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╟JPG ╢
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
╟JPG ╢
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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bobgroh
- Gold Member
- Posts: 400
- Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:12 pm
- Location: Just east of Kansas City, Missouri
Is all of that good stuff (i.e. 1985 et al) is pretty darned good news. SS Mark V range in dates for the 1954 (the earliest) up to right now with a bit of time off between about 1965 and 1972. There were some nice upgrades in the 70's and the 80's - bigger motor, dual bearing quill (no worry if that means nothing now - you'll figure it out!) and, in 1984, improved safety equipment (improved saw guard etc). I have a early 1984 (which is now owned by my son-in-law) so I cut my teeth on that one.
There were three basic models - the model 500 (the original one), the model 510 (introduced sometime in the 1980's - the company site has all of this broken out, by the way) which provide a big improvement in the table (much bigger than the 500), fence, auxiliary tables and carriage. In the early 90's (warning - I am not back checking these dates but just spouting them off the top of my head), SS added the model 520 which upgraded the 510 - more rigid fence and more rigid method of adding auxiliary tables.
Important note: it is usually possible to upgrade any SS Mark V! And all of them will usually use the same accessories (bandsaw, etc). SS sells upgrade kits to move a 500 to a 510 and a 510 to a 520. In fact, my second SS Mark V is a 510 which was a 1984 500 which had been upgraded by the previous owner.
As noted, your first step is tear into your SS and do a complete cleaning, waxing and lubricating. Then align. All very important. There is a section on this in the owners manual and other documentation on the SS site - a very valuable source of information. As is this forum.
Enjoy your new machine and welcome to the world of Shopsmith.
There were three basic models - the model 500 (the original one), the model 510 (introduced sometime in the 1980's - the company site has all of this broken out, by the way) which provide a big improvement in the table (much bigger than the 500), fence, auxiliary tables and carriage. In the early 90's (warning - I am not back checking these dates but just spouting them off the top of my head), SS added the model 520 which upgraded the 510 - more rigid fence and more rigid method of adding auxiliary tables.
Important note: it is usually possible to upgrade any SS Mark V! And all of them will usually use the same accessories (bandsaw, etc). SS sells upgrade kits to move a 500 to a 510 and a 510 to a 520. In fact, my second SS Mark V is a 510 which was a 1984 500 which had been upgraded by the previous owner.
As noted, your first step is tear into your SS and do a complete cleaning, waxing and lubricating. Then align. All very important. There is a section on this in the owners manual and other documentation on the SS site - a very valuable source of information. As is this forum.
Enjoy your new machine and welcome to the world of Shopsmith.
Bob Groh
Blue Springs, Missouri (just east of Kansas City, MO)
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1984 SS Mark V updated to model 510
1994 SS Mark V updated to model 520
SS SPT's: Bandsaw
Other tools:routers, Bosch router table, Craftsman 6" jointer, Steel City 12" bench planer, Porter Cable 7" power saw, and too much other stuff (not really - just kidding!!)
Blue Springs, Missouri (just east of Kansas City, MO)
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1984 SS Mark V updated to model 510
1994 SS Mark V updated to model 520
SS SPT's: Bandsaw
Other tools:routers, Bosch router table, Craftsman 6" jointer, Steel City 12" bench planer, Porter Cable 7" power saw, and too much other stuff (not really - just kidding!!)
Safety-guard
email jetobeyatmsn.com---i think i have guard-shipping would do it.mt
1983 Mark V- beltsander, jigsaw, Stripsander,jointer, bandsaw-double carriage and tables with molders and drums, Over Arm Pin Routers(Freestanding x 2)Second Mark V.