Shopsmith Forums

ExtraMile wrote:Hello all,
I have yet to purchase a Shopsmith Mark V, but I may be doing this, as early as 3/15/15.

My question is: is the number shown on the attached photo a date code or a serial number? And yes, I have reviewed the graph that was listed (above), within this thread, but I do not see a 5 digit number (12390) anywhere in the graph.

My main reason for wanting to know this is, I would like to know the approximate age of the machine, along with, was it purchased as a 500 or 510?

Please advise and thanks in advance!

Three 'clues'. Mark '5', 'SS' preceding the SN, and the wrinkle paint.

That makes it an early SS Inc. which was the same thing as a Mark V 500.

Age really means little. Use and maintenance are far more relevant.

Re the chart, pre-1978 would be my conclusion.

As was my conclusion, built between 73 to 78. My short bit of research, paid off. This machine appears to be very clean. I have yet to see it, in person. That day will be 3/15/15 and if everything checks out, it will be loaded in to my dually and I will be ONE HAPPY CAMPER!

Thanks so much!

ExtraMile wrote:As was my conclusion, built between 73 to 78. My short bit of research, paid off. This machine appears to be very clean. I have yet to see it, in person. That day will be 3/15/15 and if everything checks out, it will be loaded in to my dually and I will be ONE HAPPY CAMPER!

Thanks so much!

In addition to the "bonus" bandsaw, there is a jointer mounted on the other end of the machine. Two SPT's that I wouldn't want to be without!

My only concern is, it appears that the extra tables, are missing their table legs. Are table legs, made available through Shopsmith? Or does a person need to buy the table/legs together?

Please advise!

The 500 only comes with the one extension table shown and it has a base that fits in the end. There are no extra floating tables with connecting tubes/separate support legs like for the 510/520/Mark 7.

ExtraMile wrote:My only concern is, it appears that the extra tables, are missing their table legs. Are table legs, made available through Shopsmith? Or does a person need to buy the table/legs together?

Please advise!

Both extension tables shown in the pix have 'legs'. Those 'legs' are mounted into the same holes as the bandsaw and jointer are in the pix.

There does not appear to be any reason for concern in the pix.

P.S. For future reference, the jointer only operates on the end where the bandsaw is in the pix. i.e. one at a time.

So, now with that tid-bit of info from JPG, that clarifies my next question. I was thinking about getting the off set tubes for the band saw. But, for what? If the band saw must be removed, for the jointer to operate, there is no sense in getting this kit.

IMHO, I will likely either build a stand alone platform for the band saw or order legs from Shopsmith for it. That way, the bandsaw is not in the way of the jointer.

Edit: My thinking here is, that the band saw is the bulkier of the two. The jointer can be removed more easily over the band saw.

Here is yet another photo of where the "now" deceased original owner (RIP Bernie), set the band saw, when not in use. If the band saw had its own stand alone "stand" then it could reside there, indefinitely!

ExtraMile wrote:So, now with that tid-bit of info from JPG, that clarifies my next question. I was thinking about getting the off set tubes for the band saw. But, for what? If the band saw must be removed, for the jointer to operate, there is no sense in getting this kit.

IMHO, I will likely either build a stand alone platform for the band saw or order legs from Shopsmith for it. That way, the bandsaw is not in the way of the jointer.

Edit: My thinking here is, that the band saw is the bulkier of the two. The jointer can be removed more easily over the band saw.

Moving/installing SPTs involves considering both bulk and weight.

The jointer is much heavier than the bandsaw although it is much less bulky. IMHO the bandsaw is the easier of the two although it requires raising it higher.

Many of us store the jointer on the left end of the SS and remove it only when that spot is needed for something else.

The reason for the off set mount is so the ss can be raised to vertical with the bandsaw mounted, although a work around has been 'discovered'. Also the off set mount results in a springboard action by the bandsaw(there be a work-around/modification for that also.

Yes there is an egg on the face story regarding the off set mount. The off set mount is not the same as the current eccentric mounting tubes.

Both the bandsaw and the jointer already have 'legs'.

JPG wrote:

ExtraMile wrote:So, now with that tid-bit of info from JPG, that clarifies my next question. I was thinking about getting the off set tubes for the band saw. But, for what? If the band saw must be removed, for the jointer to operate, there is no sense in getting this kit.

IMHO, I will likely either build a stand alone platform for the band saw or order legs from Shopsmith for it. That way, the bandsaw is not in the way of the jointer.

Edit: My thinking here is, that the band saw is the bulkier of the two. The jointer can be removed more easily over the band saw.

Moving/installing SPTs involves considering both bulk and weight.

The jointer is much heavier than the bandsaw although it is much less bulky. IMHO the bandsaw is the easier of the two although it requires raising it higher.

Many of us store the jointer on the left end of the SS and remove it only when that spot is needed for something else.

The reason for the off set mount is so the ss can be raised to vertical with the bandsaw mounted, although a work around has been 'discovered'. Also the off set mount results in a springboard action by the bandsaw(there be a work-around/modification for that also.

Yes there is an egg on the face story regarding the off set mount. The off set mount is not the same as the current eccentric mounting tubes.

Both the bandsaw and the jointer already have 'legs'.

I thought that the bandsaw interference problem that the offset mount addresses only came about with larger aluminum bandsaw table. That bandsaw has the cast iron table.