Shopsmith Forums

dlbristol wrote:In the photos posted above, the bench tubes are metal. On the one that I have the bench " tubes" are wood. The are about 2X4 dimensions. The photo on the SS site, denying any support for the M2, seems to have these wooden tubes. Were there two types, or are there two different machines called M2. Much of what I can see in these photos looks like what I have. Is one made for wards the wooden one?

Good question.
I was under the impression that all the Mark2s were made for Monkey Wards, as they had complained they were losing some market share. The used ones I have seen for sale on-line seem to all have the lower metal tubes. An option maybe?
Either way it was/is still a very flimsy poorly executed P.O.S.
Sorry guys, but it is what it is. Curiosity just cost me $25.00 and 15 gallons of gas. Luckily for me, I am a student of American Industrial History and always enjoy a good hard learned lesson. Yee Haw!
Now I'm more curious than ever and want to find a serial number list, as these were introduced the year I was born.
I won't restore this, but will clean it up, put in new bearings and paint and install in a shortened Mark5 frame and go forth with it.

I agree with the quality assessment! It is a "piece" There is a description somewhere on line saying that this M2 was a less expensive model, but " shared most critical features". Other than a few things that moved sort of the same way, they bare no resemblance to a SS. Mine has an issue with the quill, and I don't think it will be usable for anything. I though about a drill press, but just thinking about trying to set it up with those little set screws made me want a cup of coffee and ben-gay for my hands! Sanding station might be worth it if the quill can be fixed. I am interested in what you do. I will see if I can find out some more about the bench tube thing.

dlbristol wrote:I agree with the quality assessment! It is a "piece" There is a description somewhere on line saying that this M2 was a less expensive model, but " shared most critical features". Other than a few things that moved sort of the same way, they bare no resemblance to a SS. Mine has an issue with the quill, and I don't think it will be usable for anything. I though about a drill press, but just thinking about trying to set it up with those little set screws made me want a cup of coffee and ben-gay for my hands! Sanding station might be worth it if the quill can be fixed. I am interested in what you do. I will see if I can find out some more about the bench tube thing.

It has many 'features' of a 10E/ER.

What is the quill issue?

dlbristol wrote:I agree with the quality assessment! It is a "piece" There is a description somewhere on line saying that this M2 was a less expensive model, but " shared most critical features". Other than a few things that moved sort of the same way, they bare no resemblance to a SS. Mine has an issue with the quill, and I don't think it will be usable for anything. I though about a drill press, but just thinking about trying to set it up with those little set screws made me want a cup of coffee and ben-gay for my hands! Sanding station might be worth it if the quill can be fixed. I am interested in what you do. I will see if I can find out some more about the bench tube thing.

If you end up scrapping it, I would love to have the motor covers and belt covers.
Robert

I think the quill return spring is broken and is wadded up in the headstock. The motor cover is gone and the belt cover is there, but warped. It might be fixable. I will pull it apart and see what else I can find in the head stock. You are welcome to anything I have. I am going to pull it apart soon. I will post pictures when I can. if you can use anything, just ask.

wiredone wrote: I am a student of American Industrial History

Since you are a student of American Industrial History and a woodworker, I think you might find this museum fascinating:

http://www.americanprecision.org/

anmius wrote:Since you are a student of American Industrial History and a woodworker, I think you might find this museum fascinating:

http://www.americanprecision.org/

Great link, Thanks!!

Apparently, there never was a motor cover for the other side!
The reason they had to have one on the left side is because the motor is actually attached to the side plate and hinges out to change the tension on the belt.
Saw this one on Ebay.
It also has the round tubes on the bottom like mine.
By the way the bottom tubes are only 1.625 diameter, while the way tubes are the standard 1.75"
Learning more about these weird ass little poseurs every day, whether I want to or not.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/110829960809?ss ... 1438.l2648

My M2 seems to be different in several ways. I looked at the motor and I think there was no cover as you pointed out. The bracket for the motor swings like you say. I thought that the cover was gone because the of the way the motor hung down below the frame, but I now think it was original and as you say there was never a cover. I have found several pictures of these with steel bench tubes and some with wooden ones. All the set screw handles have plastic material on them. It appears to be original. mine has no indication that there was a place to locate a lathe center, and some picutres show this mounted on the auxillery table. I am not sure why this interests me so much.
I have found nothing that explains the tube differences. Is it possible that what I have is a knock off of a knock off?

I am going to start taking this thing appart today, so I may have more info and some pictures soon.