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Re: The First Shopsmith
Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 10:08 pm
by Emil
I think I have come across a SS that was before the 10E and 10ER.
It was given to me by a friend who's grandfather had it. It says simply "Model ER Serial number ER22221"
Looks like it came with a wooden stand (or it came with none and someone built it)
It runs, but I'm going to restore it. Anyone know where I can get a manual? Maybe a 10E or 10Er would come close. This also has the "speed changer".
I have the Mark 510 with the new electronic headstock, and want to restore this one for my son
Re: The First Shopsmith
Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 10:59 pm
by jsburger
Emil wrote:I think I have come across a SS that was before the 10E and 10ER.
It was given to me by a friend who's grandfather had it. It says simply "Model ER Serial number ER22221"
Looks like it came with a wooden stand (or it came with none and someone built it)
It runs, but I'm going to restore it. Anyone know where I can get a manual? Maybe a 10E or 10Er would come close. This also has the "speed changer".
I have the Mark 510 with the new electronic headstock, and want to restore this one for my son
How did you come to that conclusion?
There was no SS before the 10E. The 10E's came out in 1947. Yours says 10ER. They came after the 10E. By the serial number it was made in March of 1950. No Model 10's came with a bench or a motor. In the beginning Magna provided a blue print for a suggested wood bench with each machine. Later they came out with a set of metal legs as an extra cost accessory and then a set of retractable castors for the legs. You had to supply your own wood for the top and assemble it yourself.
As for the manual, you need a 10ER manual. It won't be close it will be exact. They are on eBay all the time if you want an original. Otherwise there are numerous sources of a PDF copy.
Re: The First Shopsmith
Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 1:42 am
by rpd
Emil wrote:I think I have come across a SS that was before the 10E and 10ER.
It was given to me by a friend who's grandfather had it. It says simply "Model ER Serial number ER22221"
Looks like it came with a wooden stand (or it came with none and someone built it)
It runs, but I'm going to restore it. Anyone know where I can get a manual? Maybe a 10E or 10Er would come close. This also has the "speed changer".
I have the Mark 510 with the new electronic headstock, and want to restore this one for my son
Welcome aboard.

That is definitely a 10er, Did you mean to say "that was before the Mark 5 and Mark 7."
It looks to be in great shape, although the speed changer seems to have a piece missing from the casting. The tailstock in the first photo is not an original Shopsmith part.
The bench is made per the blue prints that came with it when new.
You can download manuals from VintageMachinery.
http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgIndex/de ... =338&tab=3
And there is a great 10e/er resource thread on this forum that should get you started.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... 972#p57972
Have fun, they are great machines,
Re: The First Shopsmith
Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 7:59 am
by JPG
The miter gauge is 'unusual'.
Re: The First Shopsmith
Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 10:43 am
by Emil
I thought that because no where did it mention the number 10. Thanks for the history and the manual tips.
Re: The First Shopsmith
Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 12:25 pm
by Emil
This is a great help. Because I didn't see the number 10 in the model, I thought it was earlier than the 10er. I bought my 1st ShopSmith in 1988 for $1,999. It has been upgraded to the 520 table system, and the new digital motor.
Re: The First Shopsmith
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 7:28 pm
by doug888
Another interesting bit of trivia:
After I met Mr. Chambers, I had the chance to sit down with him on several occasions. Among other things, I asked him about the E in 10E...joking, I said, "I know that stood for experimental...was the because you weren't sure it would work?"
He laughed and said, "Oh we knew it would work; we just didn't know if anyone would ever buy one!"
Doug Reid
Re: The First Shopsmith
Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2017 10:12 pm
by JPG
Visit us more often Doug!!!!!

Re: The First Shopsmith
Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 12:08 am
by skou
doug888 wrote:Another interesting bit of trivia:
After I met Mr. Chambers, I had the chance to sit down with him on several occasions. Among other things, I asked him about the E in 10E...joking, I said, "I know that stood for experimental...was the because you weren't sure it would work?"
He laughed and said, "Oh we knew it would work; we just didn't know if anyone would ever buy one!"
Doug Reid
Doug, THANK YOU!!
Which Mr Chambers did you meet?
Oh, it DOES work. And, better than the
newer versions!
steve