Shopsmith Forums

Early Mark 5 Advertising Time Capsule

I had a bit of a sidebar with the eBay vendor who sold me the hardware store window decal from my prior post. I showed him a picture of my memorabilia display, and he says, “hey, I have one of those - are you interested?” Turns out here was referring to a dealer binder! So it’s not like you can have too many of those, am I right??!

It also turns out he’s local to me, so I braved some rush hour traffic to go check it out. Good investment of time, for sure… While the binder cover was a bit faded and musty, the contents were complete and pristine - and included a really interesting glossy covered insert outlining Magna’s advertising policy and support materials for their independent vendors.

Here’s a sampling of the pages (I’ve left out a lot of print ad mat material):
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Dealers Demo Model Pricing Label

So, I’m sitting here at the airport gate, waiting to board my flight for Dayton. 75th Anniversary Shopsmith Celebration is almost upon us!

Anyway, figured I’d make good use of the time… So, sometime back, I had done a screen grab of an unusual feature on the headstock of an old Greenie machine on FB Marketplace.
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I thought to myself, “wow, that must have been a dealer demo unit.” It still had a sticker on it indicating the retail price back in the day - $329.50.

Well, recently I acquired some dealer material, and guess what was in it?! An unused pricing sticker! I think this one will stay unused…
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Wow.. that was pretty pricey!

I have in my barn the dealer demo display, with equipment rack, with sign saying $289.50. It came with purchase. How he grabbed it from the dealer of his SS is a wonder.

I'm pretty sure that the unit is an original '54. The SS access logo on power head on the does NOT rotate. Wears a MAGNA S/N 261997.

I rebuilt it seeing as the belts, etc. were shot. Think I even put the double bearing quill in, rewired the motor, cleaned and painted. Been retired now that I upgraded the unit to a Power Pro and 520 furniture. (The damn old motor would regularly pop circuit breakers.)

Now, if I can just figure out how to send a picture. They both deserve a appreciative home. Anyone interested?

For those passing the "Walcott I-80 Truckstop, World's Biggest", on the way to Canton, let me know. Or at least wave...

Doc

chiroindixon wrote: ↑Wed Oct 04, 2023 3:50 pm I have in my barn the dealer demo display, with equipment rack, with sign saying $289.50. It came with purchase. How he grabbed it from the dealer of his SS is a wonder.

They both deserve an appreciative home. Anyone interested?

Definitely interested in a demo display, but not close enough to Iowa to make it happen… That’s a very early Mark 5 you have there with a serial number very much lower than the published numbers from the “start” of production. I hope you’re able to find a good home for them!

I'll keep your interest in mind. It's yours if you can arrange pickup.

Pass the word in Dayton. Funny how things might turn out.

Doc

Now.. just if I can get a picture posted.

From The Shopsmith, Inc. Archives
the Shopsmith that never was

Reporting from the recently concluded 75th Anniversary Celebration, there were a number of systems that the Shopsmith team brought out of mothballs to display in their new “museum” space. Among them was the never-released “6000” system.
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Although this prototype is missing a lot of key components (carriage, tables, etc.), we were also offered some insights by My Growth Rings YouTube host, Scott Markwood, that the patent history indicates that this system was actually where the table innovations for what eventually became the Mark V 510 were developed.

This system also featured a very innovative variable height mechanism that unfortunately never made it into any subsequent system design.

chiroindixon wrote: ↑Thu Oct 05, 2023 9:10 am Now.. just if I can get a picture posted.

Doc - is this what it looks like??
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John,
Yup. Exactly... except this price reads 20 bucks cheaper!

Doc

chiroindixon wrote: ↑Thu Oct 05, 2023 9:10 am I'll keep your interest in mind. It's yours if you can arrange pickup.

Doc - I sent a private message to you as I’d like to discuss the possibility of acquiring that display if you’re offering it. Let me know if the private message was received.

John,

Roger, message received, answered.

Doc