Shopsmith Forums

That's definitely a low serial#. I'll have to doublecheck my 10E's but I don't remember them having an E in front of the # - not sure what that means. I vaguely remember something re the 10E/ER serial #'s that at some point they had letter code(s) pertaining to whether they were made in SF or OH, but I also seem to recall that all the early 10Es were made in SF before they branched out and started making them in OH (?)

BTW nice foot lock . . tool chest!;)

dgale wrote:That's definitely a low serial#. I'll have to doublecheck my 10E's but I don't remember them having an E in front of the # - not sure what that means. I vaguely remember something re the 10E/ER serial #'s that at some point they had letter code(s) pertaining to whether they were made in SF or OH, but I also seem to recall that all the early 10Es were made in SF before they branched out and started making them in OH (?)

This is a lot of conjecture, but: See post #17 this thread for 'corrections'

Initially the E stood for Experimental on those on that had 'Model 10' with no 'E' designation on the logo plate.

Later on the 'E' was added to the plate artwork.

Even later the ER was created, but logo plates were still available for use so 'R' was added to the stamped numbers.

Eventually 'ER" was added to the artwork on the logo plate.

Then the multi state production was initiated and the letters became state of origin indicators.

At least one machine carried a "C" letter of unknown reason.(R. J. Chr. . .?)

Truth be known, the veracity of the letters is questionable since they seemed to always use up old logo plate stock after a 'change'.

enyoc wrote:... yeah.. and everything I read says the original AOSmith can't be reversed, but mine reverses like a champ! Any thoughts?

The 3/4 hp and 1 & 1/8th hp AO Smith and GE motor can easily be reversed. If the 1/2 hp is set up the same, I'm sure it could be also.
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=12664



Congratulations on your purchase! I'm jealous!

joshh wrote: https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=12664

Neat! Now if I could only get the stuck fan sheave off my 500...

joshh wrote:The 3/4 hp and 1 & 1/8th hp AO Smith and GE motor can easily be reversed. If the 1/2 hp is set up the same, I'm sure it could be also.
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=12664



Congratulations on your purchase! I'm jealous!

Tis the Emerson motors that bury the winding splice necessary to access to enable reversing.

Not sure(do not know!) re the A.O.Smith 1/2hp. Time will tell(when I dig into mine). I would bet it is accessible. With any luck, 230v may also be possible.

Name plate implies single voltage/unidirectional. So internal wire changing required to alter.

JPG40504 wrote:This is a lot of conjecture, but:

Initially the E stood for Experimental on those on that had 'Model 10' with no 'E' designation on the logo plate.

Later on the 'E' was added to the plate artwork.

Even later the ER was created, but logo plates were still available for use so 'R' was added to the stamped numbers.

Eventually 'ER" was added to the artwork on the logo plate.

Then the multi state production was initiated and the letters became state of origin indicators.

At least one machine carried a "C" letter of unknown reason.(R. J. Chr. . .?)

Truth be known, the veracity of the letters is questionable since they seemed to always use up old logo plate stock after a 'change'.

I can't find the information now, but I do recall reading that the letter stamped in front of the serial number indicated the factory it was built at. One of which was San Francisco. That the letter codes for the two factories were "E" and "R" does seem to cause some confusion!

I don't recall ever hearing of or seeing logo plates that just said "Model 10" without the "E." To my knowledge, it was always the "Model 10E" and was later upgraded to the "Model 10ER." The letter code on the serial number was always to indicate the factory. With at least one exception.

The exception to the letter code indicating the factory of origin, is if the logo plate says it's a Model 10E, but "ER" is stamped before the serial number (as opposed to either "E" or "R" by itself). My first ER has this type of logo plate and serial number:



This indicates it was originally manufactured as a Model 10E, but was "factory refurbished" to become a Model 10ER before being sent out for sale.

Please accept my apology for previous conjecture!!!!

I like to 'verify' recollections, but obviously did not today!:o

I was confused regarding "E" on the logo plate. There are two places they 'appear'. 1)Next to the 'Model 10' small letters on the left periphery, and 2) to the left of the stamped SN.

I did not look at mine as it was not readily accessible. That oversight has been corrected.

[ATTACH]23040[/ATTACH]

As shown in Heathicus pix, the 'R' was added to the larger 'E' in the artwork independent of the stamping.

Anyone please make corrections to this as needed!!!:)

Thanks Heath!

1. Jointer/Shaper Fence
2. 10ER style extension table and original 10E rip fence
3. Saw guard
4. Jigsaw table insert
5. 134-27X assembly for Jigsaw
6. Buffing compound sticks (non-SS, Sears brand)
7. Drill bit sharpening jig (non-SS, "General" brand)
8. Drill press surface planer (non-SS, Barron Tool Company brand)
9. Lathe tool rest
10. Buffing wheel, grinding wheel, unknown-material brush
11. Lathe faceplates
12. Sanding disk (caked in ACKAPUNKY) and lots of sand paper
13. Mortising attachment
... not pictured: Original saw blade, dado table insert.



1. Pulley cover
2. Best guess: a wobble dado arbor (no markings)
3. TBD (any thoughts???)
4. Lathe spur center
5. Spring tension parts 135-35,36,37 from Jigsaw
6. Extension table knob
7. Saw arbor



Asterisk (*) means I don't see this document on VintageMachinery.org, so I will endeavor to scan and upload (eventually)

1. * ShopSmith Bench 160-2 blueprint
2. Lako power attachments catalog
3. SS accessories catalog (nearly identical to #5) http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=2700
4. Mortising attachment instructions http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=2707
5. SS accessories catalog (nearly identical to #3)
6. Shop notes 1 & 2 http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=2716
7. * AMT (http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgIndex/de ... d=29&tab=3) Jointers 2433 & 2433B instructions
8. * Variable speed changer (0-5 range version)
9. * Magna SS accessories (arbor, flexible shaft adapter & table inserts)
10. * Jointer-shaper fence instructions
11. Table raising assembly instructions http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=5736
12. * Packing list signed by inspector
13. * SS Standard Accessories catalog
14. * Front table extension brochure ($2.75!)
15. * Sanding Disc and paper brochure
16. Jigsaw owner's guide http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=2703
17. The New Handyman (magazine-ish catalog) http://vintagemachinery.org/pubs/detail.aspx?id=2690
18. * 10ER owner's guide
19. * 10E owner's guide
20. Stapled packet with: conversion kit to 10ER type extension table (Only $17.50, special price UNTIL OCTOBER 1, 1949), 8 new features of 10ER, Accessories, Shop Notes supplement, Jointer-Shaper Fence and Cutter instructions, Lako attachments (repeat of #2)

heathicus wrote:I can't find the information now, but I do recall reading that the letter stamped in front of the serial number indicated the factory it was built at. One of which was San Francisco. That the letter codes for the two factories were "E" and "R" does seem to cause some confusion!

I don't recall ever hearing of or seeing logo plates that just said "Model 10" without the "E." To my knowledge, it was always the "Model 10E" and was later upgraded to the "Model 10ER." The letter code on the serial number was always to indicate the factory. With at least one exception.

The exception to the letter code indicating the factory of origin, is if the logo plate says it's a Model 10E, but "ER" is stamped before the serial number (as opposed to either "E" or "R" by itself). My first ER has this type of logo plate and serial number:



This indicates it was originally manufactured as a Model 10E, but was "factory refurbished" to become a Model 10ER before being sent out for sale.

This is my recollection as well, with one deviation - both of my 10E's have plates identical to JPG's photo, with the exception of the serial # just being the # and no "E" in front of it - they both say 10E exactly like JPG's but then they say "Serial No 6149" and "Serial No 4314". I have to assume since both of mine we located in Northern CA that they originated in SF and I also assume that all of the first ~7500 or so machines were made within the first six months of production (or I seem to recall that from Skip's website). So interesting that at least a couple machines so far that are 10E's and have serial #'s at least slightly lower than mine both have an E in front of it (?) Also interesting that both of these machines at least currently reside in the eastern 1/2 of the Country. So I wonder if a certain % were manufactured early on either in OH or else in SF with the intention of selling them out east and hence the additional letter code, or perhaps they started the #'s over again with the E in front once they started manufacturing machines in OH? All baseless speculation...I'll post photos of my plates later today.