I just got my first Shopsmith...

[wannabewoodworker]

Pictures..............We need pictures!!! Don't get too discouraged my 1954 Greenie looked BAD but it now looks PRETTY all it took was some time and elbow grease. The way tubes were completely rusted and pitted but now shine like my bald head.... Take some pics and we can help you decide if it is a goner or not. I am betting it is salvageable but can't make a definitive judgement without PICS.....We need PICS!!!!!

[resawman123]

Here are some pix. I wish I had taken a picture of the mice refuse I pulled out of the headstock. It was a full Hefty bag of pink fiberglass insulation, droppings and at least three mummified critters. Yes, it was as disgusting as it sounds.









http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/attachm ... 1270651377

[mickyd]

Thanks guys!

Those videos are very comprehensive. I started watching last night and almost missed the NCAA championship game.

As for my Shopsmith. Further inspection today revealed a lot of damage. The motor will alomst certainly need to be replaced. There's a ton of rust and corrosion inside the headstock due to moisture and mice activity. The rust and pitting on the bars is pretty bad. I might have to rethink restoration. It all depends on what shape the accesories are in. If they are decent, it might be cheaper and easier for me to pick up a base unit which is in better starting condition.

Either way, I think I'm hooked.

Thanks again for all the advice and encouragement.

Don't give up on your motor until you inspect and test it. Mine looked trashed but tested OK electrically. It now works like a charm. There's plenty of expertise here to walk you through the simple tests needed. Just shout.

Your machine is far from hopeless from the standpoint of getting it cosmetically up to speed. Thisis what mine looked like, before and after.

[mikelst]

mickyd, did you know your 'link to high-res' links don't work?

[PG-Zac]

Resaw - Overall you "new" SS looks better than mine did when I got it, and with some patience it is coming up nicely.

My motor looked (mechanically) a LOT better than yours does, and it has cost me a couple of days to find out that it it trashed. I am learning the hard (and sometimes painful) way that these old machines can be jewels just waiting to be exposed.

Just don't judge anything on the machine purely on appearances.

[jayhawk]

Resaw,
Your owner's manual is in the mail! Good luck and keep in touch. Give us updates on your restoration progress.

[ted2]

Take a look at the gilmer drive shaft, it looks like there is a chip in the threads, and a screw in place, I'm not sure, but I don't think that is origional, at least that's not what mine looks like.

[heathicus]

Take a look at the gilmer drive shaft, it looks like there is a chip in the threads, and a screw in place, I'm not sure, but I don't think that is origional, at least that's not what mine looks like.

That caught my eye too. I wonder what happened there?

[wannabewoodworker]

It does look as though that Gilmer drive sproket is toast. Good reason to upgrade to the Poly-V system if you ask me. I am going to try acquire the Poly-V stuff for my 54 Greenie but for now I am going to stay with the Gilmer as it seems to be good.

[resawman123]

That caught my eye too. I wonder what happened there?

Good eyes! It does have a screw in place of a couple of teeth. While the shaft does spin, there is no horizontal movement as it is rusted solid. I've been spraying it with penetrating fluid and trying to coax it free, but no movement yet.

Jayhawk...you're the best. Thanks for the manual. It's going to be a big help.