Shopsmith ER CR5010 pictures

[a1gutterman]

I don't think it is a P. I think it is an R but the diagonal leg of the R blends in with the oval line around the number.

My money is on you Heath; I think it is an "R" too. I also took another look at mark-b's "C" and I am almost convinced that, although it is a definite "C", it is KNOT part of the original serial number. I think that someone (other then SS/Magna) has stamped that "C" on to that plate. At least it is a reasonable explanation.

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Hey Tim!
Your explanation is reasonable so I went out and scrutinized the "C" It matches the 5010 in size, style and depth, so I really believe that the C was put on along with the other numbers. The one thing that I notice that is that they are stamped deeper than others that I have seen. It appears that they were stamped onto the nameplate after it was installed on the machine. Is there an access hole under the name plate? Perhaps this machine was repaired under warranty and they replaced the plate and the c only means copy. I also know that Magna had vigilent inspections and so maybe the C has something to do with an inspection.
Mark

I also think that "P" is an R, but it is hard to tell from the photos.

[a1gutterman]

Hey Tim!
Your explanation is reasonable so I went out and scrutinized the "C" It matches the 5010 in size, style and depth, so I really believe that the C was put on along with the other numbers. The one thing that I notice that is that they are stamped deeper than others that I have seen. It appears that they were stamped onto the nameplate after it was installed on the machine. Is there an access hole under the name plate? Perhaps this machine was repaired under warranty and they replaced the plate and the c only means copy. I also know that Magna had vigilent inspections and so maybe the C has something to do with an inspection.
Mark

I also think that "P" is an R, but it is hard to tell from the photos.

Hi Mark,

Take another look at the "C". From the photo, it looks thinner then ANY other of the stamps. IMHO, the letter "C" stamp is knot consistent with the number stamps. Let's hope that someone who really has the answer can shed some light!

[heathicus]

Mark, is the serial number also stamped into the headstock itself? I'm not sure when they started that. My older model E (factory retrofitted as an ER) does not have the SN stamped into the headstock, but my newer Model ER does. It's on the same side as the headstock, near the bottom on the area where the tube goes through. I'm just curious if it is there and if it matches.

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Here is a picture of the motor tag. Serial # C0
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I received a note from Mr. Erickson who was the lead engineer at Magna about the serial #. While he doesn't know exactly what the "C" means. He seems to think that it is about the time when ShopSmith made some design changes to their machines, but he can't be sure. I'm not suprised that he doesn't remember, that was over 60 years ago. I have problems remembering 60 days ago. I'm not even sure that he is old enough to have worked there in 40's.
My concern at this point is that if I use this machine, even gently. I may be destroying a piece of history. I am an abusive tool user:eek:

[cincinnati]

Mark - R. J. Decristoforo was the author of POWER TOOL WOODWORKING FOR EVERYONE. In the first edition he used a 10ER. Note the name on his handsome shop coat below...


"Cris" at work on the Shopsmith

Here's an interesting tidbit on the 10ER history:

"The machines made at the San Francisco plant had an "R" in front of the serial number and those at the Cleveland plant had an "E" (for east). The plants evidently kept track so that no numbers were duplicated. If they had kept that pattern up it would have helped a bunch but after serial numbers get to 60000 range they quit putting the prefix on them so you can't tell what plant they were made in. It looks like, annually, production averaged around 20,000."
(quoted from this website: http://www.woodworkinghistory.com/document_11.htm)

Maybe somebody messed up and put a "C" for Cleveland?

The son of R. J. Decristoforo who wrote the book "Power tool woodworking for everyone" is a member of another forum I belong to. Maybe I will drop him a note and see if he has any info.

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I would really appreciate that!
Thank You, Mark

[cincinnati]

I would really appreciate that!
Thank You, Mark

I sent him a message. I will report back when I hear from him.

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This is my next machine going onto Craigslist. I am going to parlay my way to a brand new Shopsmith w/ all the bells and whistles someday:rolleyes:
Mark
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