Shopsmith Forums

I took a look at the E-bay link. Not quite what I am looking for. I did find the band saw manual as a PDF download from Shopsmith.com. What I am looking for is something like an owner's manual for the Shopsmith Mark 5itself. I found the Mark 5 operations manual free pdf, but did not see anything in there about how to change what tool mode the Shopsmith is in. I am looking for how do I change it to a lathe, to the drill press, to the table saw, and so forth.

Looking at pictures of just the saw table, this is definitely a Model 500. I pick the Shopsmith up tomorrow and should be able to confirm it by serial number and any other markings. I will technically be the third owner, but the second user. The first owner misplaced all the manuals long before giving the Shopsmith to my friend, and my friend has just never used it. He has always come to me for any woodoworking, which is mainly repairs to his bee boxes.

rdavidp wrote:I took a look at the E-bay link. Not quite what I am looking for. I did find the band saw manual as a PDF download from Shopsmith.com. What I am looking for is something like an owner's manual for the Shopsmith Mark 5itself. I found the Mark 5 operations manual free pdf, but did not see anything in there about how to change what tool mode the Shopsmith is in. I am looking for how do I change it to a lathe, to the drill press, to the table saw, and so forth.

Looking at pictures of just the saw table, this is definitely a Model 500. I pick the Shopsmith up tomorrow and should be able to confirm it by serial number and any other markings. I will technically be the third owner, but the second user. The first owner misplaced all the manuals long before giving the Shopsmith to my friend, and my friend has just never used it. He has always come to me for any woodoworking, which is mainly repairs to his bee boxes.

Just don't run it without cleaning and lubricating it first and then doing a table and rip fence alignment.

The Sawdust Sessionsprovide enough guidance to do this without getting yourself in trouble.

dusty wrote:Just don't run it without cleaning and lubricating it first and then doing a table and rip fence alignment.

The Sawdust Sessionsprovide enough guidance to do this without getting yourself in trouble.

I saw in one of the several PDF's I have already looked at where Nick Engler says resist the urge to turn the machine on. Immediately start taking the headstock apart to clean it and lubricate it, and to also inspect for any parts that need replacing.

rdavidp wrote:I saw in one of the several PDF's I have already looked at where Nick Engler says resist the urge to turn the machine on. Immediately start taking the headstock apart to clean it and lubricate it, and to also inspect for any parts that need replacing.

I guess I can't argue with that. It is probably very sound advise BUT I want to hear it run. I think you can tell an awful lot by just listening. What you do not want to do is change the speed control unless it is moving.

Don't force anything. If you need force, something is wrong and you are likely to make it worse.

Bottom line - if it starts and you can run the speed control up and down and you hear the change in speed - you are close to making sawdust with little or no additional financial investment.

OKAY Guys - Pile On Now

rdavidp wrote:I took a look at the E-bay link. Not quite what I am looking for. I did find the band saw manual as a PDF download from Shopsmith.com. What I am looking for is something like an owner's manual for the Shopsmith Mark 5itself. I found the Mark 5 operations manual free pdf, but did not see anything in there about how to change what tool mode the Shopsmith is in. I am looking for how do I change it to a lathe, to the drill press, to the table saw, and so forth.

Looking at pictures of just the saw table, this is definitely a Model 500. I pick the Shopsmith up tomorrow and should be able to confirm it by serial number and any other markings. I will technically be the third owner, but the second user. The first owner misplaced all the manuals long before giving the Shopsmith to my friend, and my friend has just never used it. He has always come to me for any woodworking, which is mainly repairs to his bee boxes.

I did not know that SS had added the bandsaw manual. From a safety standpoint, I think it is great that they make the information available online.

dusty wrote:I guess I can't argue with that. It is probably very sound advise BUT I want to hear it run. I think you can tell an awful lot by just listening. What you do not want to do is change the speed control unless it is moving.

Don't force anything. If you need force, something is wrong and you are likely to make it worse.

Bottom line - if it starts and you can run the speed control up and down and you hear the change in speed - you are close to making sawdust with little or no additional financial investment.

OKAY Guys - Pile On Now

No piling on! I totally agree.

When 'looking' at to purchase my 510, I noticed the speed control was sluggish to change(especially speeding up). The $ was already agreed upon, or I would have used that as a haggle point.

I realized it was caused by a gummed up floating sheave so it really was not a 'concern'.

As I have said before, I know little about a shopsmith, nor have I ever purchased tools that are older than me. It sounds like the recommendation here is to plug the thing in, turn it on, and operate the speed dial to see if things work first before opening the headstock and going through all of that. Looking at a picture my friend sent, it seems the sanding disk attachment is already hooked up to the arbor. I know that it definitely has not been turned on or used for a couple of years, possibly longer.

I thought my price was agreed upon, i.e. free. Just got a message from my friend that a deer head will be included with the Shopsmith for me to finish cleaning and to do a European mount. Most professional taxidermists charge around $80 for that work.

As the old saying goes, "There is no free lunch."

rdavidp wrote:I took a look at the E-bay link. Not quite what I am looking for. I did find the band saw manual as a PDF download from Shopsmith.com. What I am looking for is something like an owner's manual for the Shopsmith Mark 5itself. I found the Mark 5 operations manual free pdf, but did not see anything in there about how to change what tool mode the Shopsmith is in. I am looking for how do I change it to a lathe, to the drill press, to the table saw, and so forth.

Looking at pictures of just the saw table, this is definitely a Model 500. I pick the Shopsmith up tomorrow and should be able to confirm it by serial number and any other markings. I will technically be the third owner, but the second user. The first owner misplaced all the manuals long before giving the Shopsmith to my friend, and my friend has just never used it. He has always come to me for any woodoworking, which is mainly repairs to his bee boxes.

In my owner's manual this was right after the alignment and adjustments section.

saminmn wrote:In my owner's manual this was right after the alignment and adjustments section.

One very important 'detail' when raising to drill press mode. Secure the headstock to the way tubes PRIOR to raising!!!:eek: