Shopsmith Forums

Since you have a 3/4 HP motor I would advise getting a new "thin kerf" 50 tooth combination blade. This blade will lower your cutting HP requirements. Back when your machine was built the standard home had 100 amp or less service. A 3/4 HP load was a lot back then.

8iowa,
I was wondering if SS had a thin kerf blade. I have been using a Frued thin kerf on my Hitachi circular saw and love it. I've been cutting through true 2" with no problem, and figured a thin Kerf would be the answer for the Mark V as well. (our 1964 ranch isn't wired to today's specs yet so the 3/4 might be a good match until we can get an electrician to upgrade the wiring.)
There are alot of blades and such that I need to go through. If I remember correctly the old timer had several arbors on several blades... I have to see what I have here. I checked and the saw upper guard is there, and I believe the lower is as well, I just need to get familiar with the parts/pieces.
Oh, something kinda cool, the old guy collected a few SS flyers through the years. The 1959 manual and those flyers are a real pleasure to flip through.
Americana at its best.

John:

Shopsmith does have a great carbide tipped thin kerf combination blade (555958). In the latest "Spring Project Days" catalog it is listed at only $46.07. This is about $20 cheaper than a Freud blade and you won't have to look around for a 5/8" arbor. I have used this blade extensively and it does just about everything very well. The rip blade (555959) would be useful if you are planning to rip heavy boards, like 2"x10"s. The Crosscut blade (555960) is the next handiest blade for very smooth cuts, like in miters, or to get the minimum amount of tear out on high quality plywood.

8iowa,
Thanks for the reference numbers for the blades. I'll get an order in soon for those blades.