Lookin at a "Greenie"? Need some advice

cobra.driver · Post by **cobra.driver** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:32 pm

Well...I have to admit I am just now learning of this equipment and I have some questions. BTW thx for any and all help with this.

So I have found a Mark 5 that is green and comes with table saw, lathe and drill press. The specifics the present owner told me were that the table could not handle large pieces of wood because it was missing extensions or a table or something?....sorry. My main interest is as a table saw, planer and sander. The drill will be used extensively too.

It was his fathers, he has done some bearing work and now it is sitting in his garage collecting dust. I am going to look at it...any tips?

For $300, I think this will be a great move. I have watched many videos on the site re: use, set-up and maintenance. This seems like a great machine, my only concern with this particular one is it's age.

Again sorry for any ignorance on this matter but once I found this site I knew there were more than enuff pro's around here to get me straight. One thing I never forgot in my career was always go to the 1st Sergeant, he's the one that keeps the Jr. officers out of trouble. It was true.

Thx,

Vladimir

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 5:55 pm

Welcome to the Forum Vladimir. Did ya watch this sawdust session?
I wood not be to concerned about it's age.

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

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:01 pm

The Shopsmith is a great machine. Don't know where you are but where I am $300 would be pretty expensive for an incomplete Greenie. The basic machine should have the main table and extension table, rip fence, miter gauge, drill chuck and key, 12" sanding disc, lathe tailstock, lathe toolrest, lathe drive center and cup center and a saw arbor. Ideally, it would also have the manual and a saw guard. Beyond that you want lots and lots of little accessories that go with the Shopsmith. Good luck!

cobra.driver wrote:Well...I have to admit I am just now learning of this equipment and I have some questions. BTW thx for any and all help with this.

So I have found a Mark 5 that is green and comes with table saw, lathe and drill press. The specifics the present owner told me were that the table could not handle large pieces of wood because it was missing extensions or a table or something?....sorry. My main interest is as a table saw, planer and sander. The drill will be used extensively too.

It was his fathers, he has done some bearing work and now it is sitting in his garage collecting dust. I am going to look at it...any tips?

For $300, I think this will be a great move. I have watched many videos on the site re: use, set-up and maintenance. This seems like a great machine, my only concern with this particular one is it's age.

Again sorry for any ignorance on this matter but once I found this site I knew there were more than enuff pro's around here to get me straight. One thing I never forgot in my career was always go to the 1st Sergeant, he's the one that keeps the Jr. officers out of trouble. It was true.

Thx,

Vladimir

cobra.driver · Post by **cobra.driver** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:14 pm

beeg wrote:Welcome to the Forum Vladimir. Did ya watch this sawdust session?
I wood not be to concerned about it's age.

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

What a great vid...Thank you Bob. Now when I go see it Sat I have an idea on where to poke and prod the machine.

cobra.driver · Post by **cobra.driver** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:24 pm

SDS I just spoke with the fella, he said it comes with 3 parts, Lathe table saw with dado blade and drill press. It has all the extra parts and pieces for these 3 attachments (rip fence, extra large miter t with clamps, drill chuck and lathe chisels thrown in, etc) the machine is in using order now except for some rust on the bottom of the legs and is on casters, the son is selling it and the dad is the original owner when he bought it in '54.

I really appreciate the help and response. Hopefully all goes well, we can touch it up/repair it (I love to rebuild stuff) then we can go BS'n about the projects we are working on.

Incidentally, the seller told me that Norm Abram (this Old House) used the Mark 5 exclusively when he first started his show. I never knew that and kind of sold me solid on the equipment. Norm is awesome to watch, if it's good enuff for him well I'll learn to piddle along with it.

Vladimir

cobra.driver · Post by **cobra.driver** » Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:24 pm

SDS I just spoke with the fella, he said it comes with 3 parts, Lathe table saw with dado blade and drill press. It has all the extra parts and pieces for these 3 attachments (rip fence, extra large miter t with clamps, drill chuck and lathe chisels thrown in, etc) the machine is in using order now except for some rust on the bottom of the legs and is on casters, the son is selling it and the dad is the original owner when he bought it in '54.

I really appreciate the help and response. Hopefully all goes well, we can touch it up/repair it (I love to rebuild stuff) then we can go BS'n about the projects we are working on.

Incidentally, the seller told me that Norm Abram (this Old House) used the Mark 5 exclusively when he first started his show. I never knew that and kind of sold me solid on the equipment. Norm is awesome to watch, if it's good enuff for him well I'll learn to piddle along with it.

Vladimir

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 12:36 am

I feel the need to make a couple of mostly semantic corrections. The lathe, table saw, and drill press aren't really "parts" but "functions" of the machine. Sure, there are parts involved in those functions (like a drill chuck, saw arbor, and lathe centers). But drill press, lathe, and table saw are not really separate parts - they're different modes of the same machine. You can't really say a Shopsmith "has" a drill press. It is a drill press. And a table saw. And a lathe. Again, it may just be semantics, but I had to set that straight.

Follow SDSSmith's advice. Write down the list of accessories he mentioned (and look up pictures of them if you're unsure of that they are so you can identify them when you go to look at the machine) and take that list with you. If it doesn't include the majority of those accessories, use that to negotiate the price because that's more parts that you'll need to buy.

Also, Norm didn't use the Shopsmith exclusively. He used it occasionally and that was mostly in drill press mode. And he seemed a little embarrassed to be using it, to me. Which is a shame, really.

Good luck with your purchase! We'll be excited to hear how it goes and see pictures and help you along the way restoring and using it!