Just Got One!

[derekdarling]

Hi all, Derek in Surrey BC, just outside Vancouver. As if life couldn't get better; next to no real winter (good for driving, not so good for a 'Winter' Olympics), made a little extra money playing some old Irish songs at a local pub on Wednesday, and I stumble upon a used Mark V with all the fixin's, or so it seems, and the guy wants next to nothing for it all. Even has the original manuals and bill of sale! And for those of you who might have been wondering, a Shopsmith Mark V will break down nicely and fit in a Toyota Corolla!

So tomorrow morning, I'm going to clean up all the parts, add some wax where appropriate, and assemble it. I'm going to take as many pictures as I can to document this. When it is together, I'm going to sit and look at it. then I'm going to make a cup of coffee... and sit and look at it some more. Then I'm going to plug it in and run the motor... just a little. Then I'm going to turn it off, unplug it and start to check and set all the alignment. I don't think I have been this happy since I was kid with a new train set. And this time, there are no big brothers around to mess with it!

So hi all, I think I'm going to like this. I've got about ten years to go until I retire; so by then I plan to have acquired the skills to do some good work. I also plan to keep all of my fingers!

Derek

[------------------------]

Welcome to the club! I too sometimes enjoy thinking about woodworking more than actually working:D

[swampgator]

Glad to see your post and to know that you are thinking this project through. Would like to see your progress and read your comments on this project. Don't mean to hijack this thread, but acquiring my 2nd SS on Sunday. The guy had it for sale on eBay and he wanted $700, but paid $500 for the basic machine with a band saw. As you, set up the legs and headstock and turn on the motor to see if it smokes or vibrates or runs smoothly. Then turn to the tables just like you. Looking forward to your posts on your progress.

[shipwright]

Always pleased to welcome another Canuck. I live (summers anyway) in Cowichan Bay. I winter in AZ.

Paul M

[iclark]

Derek,

welcome to the forum. sounds like you did well.

a couple of things as you get started:

1) never turn the speed dial unless the spindle is turning, and

2) based on some recent discussions here, look inside the steel tubes when you are putting things back together and put the weld seam (the ridge on the inside) on the bottom. this orientation works better for a number of folks here.

enjoy,
Ivan

[beeg]

Welcome to the forum Derek. ENJOY your new toy.

Lube it up before ya turn it on.

[john]

Welcome, and as Paul has already said, nice to have anothe "Canuck" aboard.

Have fun.

John

[derekdarling]

Well, I swpet the cobwebs off, dusted the dust off, put the bits together (and discovered why the 'leave the cardboard tubes in the headstock' warning was there!), plugged it in, turned it on..... and the chuck ran way slower than the motor did... then the breakers blew! So I guess that there is something somewhere that is interfering with the free movement of (a) shaft. Still, it looks pretty in my shed!

Starting next weekend, I'm ging to take each major component apart and clean and lubricate it as per the maintenance instructions in the manual and see if I can free the movement somewhat. Other than that, it looks to be complete, and an amazing bargain for $150! I'd start it today, but we're going to a St. Patricks party this evening, and only I know how to make the Soda Bread!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. Any musical instrument makers among you?

[JPG]

Well, I swpet the cobwebs off, dusted the dust off, put the bits together (and discovered why the 'leave the cardboard tubes in the headstock' warning was there!), plugged it in, turned it on..... and the chuck ran way slower than the motor did... then the breakers blew! So I guess that there is something somewhere that is interfering with the free movement of (a) shaft. Still, it looks pretty in my shed!

Starting next weekend, I'm ging to take each major component apart and clean and lubricate it as per the maintenance instructions in the manual and see if I can free the movement somewhat. Other than that, it looks to be complete, and an amazing bargain for $150! I'd start it today, but we're going to a St. Patricks party this evening, and only I know how to make the Soda Bread!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. Any musical instrument makers among you?

I am guessing the shafts are gunked up. A complete disassembly and cleanup is where I would go next. See how stiff all the things which are supposed to rotate are.

I would REMOVE the speed control, force the idler sheave to high speed position, remove the motor belt, then determine what doesn't want to rotate freely. Start with the motor. If the quill and idler shaft are 'stiff, loosen the poly-v belt to determine which is 'stiff'. If everything is 'rotating freely', try running the motor with the belt disconnected. If it still trips the breakers, you need to see if the start switch(internal) is 'opening'. If the motor 'runs' slow b4 tripping the breaker you may have a bum motor. If the motor hums, but does not turn, the start switch may not be 'making when stopped'.

Bottom line: Isolate all separate rotating parts and verify their operating properly ONE at a time!

It would help you to view this 'sawdust session' and the two which followed it on the 'rebuild' of a used mark 5.

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS121/SS121_Shopsmith_Reborn_Pt1.htm

I realize you are just now jumping in with both feet, but take it slow and it will all make sense (eventually).

There are many kindly folks here to help you. Just ask!

Good Luck!

P.S. Welcome!

[mickyd]

Good luck Derek. Taking it apart is a breeze. The 4 videos on the shopsmith sight are all you need. It's really easy and logical. MANY of us have been through the process and are able a answer any questions that might come up. Response time is fast here also. Glad to have ya.