Restoring Older Shopsmiths

jasonlester · Post by **jasonlester** » Sat Apr 28, 2007 10:29 am

I recently bought a SS that turned out to be a 1954 SS. It works great. But it doesn't look the best. It is the green one and I would love to resore it to the way I know it can look. Anyone have a good resource fot the correct paint and/or ideas on how to fix it up right?

Thanks,
Jason

jasonlester · Post by **jasonlester** » Wed May 02, 2007 11:26 am

Ok I guess no one restores the old green ones.

Well in case someone does decide to I found a paint that VERY closely matched the green paint. It is Rustoleum Satin "Spruce Green" I'll post some pics when I'm done painting. Some one had primered the legs on this shopsmith and it was bugging me otherwise I probably would have left it alone. Besides I have very little money in it anyway. Might as well make it look pretty.

alaskanexile · Post by **alaskanexile** » Wed May 02, 2007 5:09 pm

Looking forward to seeing the pictures. My old Greenie could use a little sprucing up. Roger

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed May 02, 2007 6:39 pm

Actually, Jason, I believe there are several restored greenies that belong to members of this forum. Unfortunately, they have not responded to your request for info. I'd bet that you will hear from them as soon as they login and read about your restoration plans.

I think that what you are doing is great and is to be commended. Far too many of these older machines are just being parted out. It tears at me every time I hear of one being done that way.

Mine is not that old but I attempt to keep it in good condition so that no one will ever be tempted to part it out. Actually, I hope that one of the grand kids adopts it into their future shop.
___________________
Making Sawdust Safely

jasonlester · Post by **jasonlester** » Thu May 03, 2007 6:18 pm

Ok I've got a little ways on restoring My 1954 SS. I thought bout painting it the newer color but decided just to try to match it to what it was supposed to be (green) I found a pretty decent match as you'l see.

The first picture is the picture of it from the person I bought it from. Notice the rust colored primer on the legs.

It basicaly sat and collected dust for quite a while. Aparently the lady I bought it from got it from her uncle. The thing works great.

Hope you like the pics. I still need to work on the headstock some though.

[ATTACH]176[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]177[/ATTACH]

alaskanexile · Post by **alaskanexile** » Thu May 03, 2007 6:50 pm

Jason,
Good job. Looks nice. That ought to provoke me to get started on mine. But no, I believe procrastination is the order of the day. Roger

jasonlester · Post by **jasonlester** » Thu May 03, 2007 10:55 pm

Roger,

I'd procrastinate too if I were in AK. What part are you in?

papahammer8 · Post by **papahammer8** » Fri May 04, 2007 7:10 am

i agree with dusty. folks ought to be ashamed to tear down a mk5 just for the few extra $ 's it brings on e-bay. shipping folks makes more the shipping cost. had speed probs with my 81 model. solved them quik. bought a 94 model from washinton. well refit my older 1. checked out e-bay just a few days ago a total headstock stripped down to the last screw . well long enough hagd happy woodworking. papa jim

jasonlester · Post by **jasonlester** » Fri May 04, 2007 7:53 am

I agree I have two older vehicles that are restored (1965 Pontiac GTO and a 1978 Jeep CJ5) I love the history behind these thing I have some refinished furniture as well.
Sure newer is flashiy and pretty but restored is prettier to me.

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Fri May 04, 2007 4:57 pm

The 1965 Pontiac really looks nice too along with the boat. I have been buying Shopsmith 500/510 pieces, putting them back together and selling them as completed Shopsmith 500/510s. I never did go with the crowd. I am now restoring a 10ER that is a better build woodworking machine than I had believed. I am using a DC motor and controller for power. I am using the Rust-oleum Hammered spray can paint lately. Faster and more tolerate than power coating. I find that if I bake the parts in my converted power coating oven at 200 degrees for 30-60 minutes really hardens the paint. I am going through all the colors, Gold, Silver, Copper, Black, Grey and Deep Green. They really look good to me.

Bill Mayo

jasonlester wrote:I agree I have two older vehicles that are restored (1965 Pontiac GTO and a 1978 Jeep CJ5) I love the history behind these thing I have some refinished furniture as well.
Sure newer is flashiy and pretty but restored is prettier to me.

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