Shopsmith Forums

Hello everyone. New member here. My great father-in-law recently gave me his SS MK5 (510) with all the goodies inc 4" Jointer. Needles to say, I'm a happy guy:) It's a great tool and I've learned quite a bit about it on this site, so thanks for all the informative posts.

I've been wanting to replace my little bench top band saw for some time and could not believe the deal I found on Craigslist last week. A SS band saw with cast iron top mounted on a SS Power Station pt #515697 rev B with caster set and tool covers for $100.00. Needless to say, I jumped on this like a duck on a June bug. But I do have a few questions. Heck, I'm sure I'll probably bore you guys with all the questions I'll have over time.

Anyway, concerning the power station. It appears to be very clean and in good condition but a bit noisy and rough running. I'm thinking it needs some servicing but I cannot find anything about maintence or operations on the SS website. I removed the cover and blew out the sawdust as best I could but with little improvement. Does anyone know where I could find any manuals?

One more question. The bandsaw was made in June 2, 1989. Can the cast iron table be replaced with a newer style aluminum top they put on current band saws? If not, was there ever a factory fence and miter guage for it and are they still available? I would use my table saw miter guage but the face is too wide and won't clear the upper guide assembly when working with thinner pieces of material. Any help is much appreciated.

h2oboy wrote:Hello everyone. New member here. My great father-in-law recently gave me his SS MK5 (510) with all the goodies inc 4" Jointer. Needles to say, I'm a happy guy:) It's a great tool and I've learned quite a bit about it on this site, so thanks for all the informative posts.

I've been wanting to replace my little bench top band saw for some time and could not believe the deal I found on Craigslist last week. A SS band saw with cast iron top mounted on a SS Power Station pt #515697 rev B with caster set and tool covers for $100.00. Needless to say, I jumped on this like a duck on a June bug. But I do have a few questions. Heck, I'm sure I'll probably bore you guys with all the questions I'll have over time.

Anyway, concerning the power station. It appears to be very clean and in good condition but a bit noisy and rough running. I'm thinking it needs some servicing but I cannot find anything about maintence or operations on the SS website. I removed the cover and blew out the sawdust as best I could but with little improvement. Does anyone know where I could find any manuals?

One more question. The bandsaw was made in June 2, 1989. Can the cast iron table be replaced with a newer style aluminum top they put on current band saws? If not, was there ever a factory fence and miter guage for it and are they still available? I would use my table saw miter guage but the face is too wide and won't clear the upper guide assembly when working with thinner pieces of material. Any help is much appreciated.

Nice pick up, you should be pleased. Shopsmith still sells the manual for the Power Station. The motor has bearings that require lubrication. You will see a yellow plug on each end of the motor where you can put oil. As far as the rough running goes, the power station tends to be noisier than the mark v and you may have a set in the two belts that has to be worked out.

The bandsaw table can be upgraded to the larger aluminum table. Shopsmith never marketed a fence for the cast iron table as you had the cross slot that allowed you to use you miter gauge as a fence.

I guess the first thing to ask is what exactly do you mean by noisy and rough running? Typically the bandsaw does make a fair amount of noise. If you search around on this site you will find more than a few references to the squeeling of the guide rollers on the bandsaw. However, Shopsmith does make a kit to reduce this noise. Though even after replacing these rollers, there is still a little squeel (just not as bad). Plus like SDSSmith said, "oiling the bearings can't hurt either."

The power station has a stamped 'variator' speed control with a sliding center flange. The speed control moves the variator shaft up and down which causes the center flange to shift (the motor belt exits to below, and the drive shaft belt exits to above). This leads to hunting of the variator especially with stiff belts that have taken a set. Also the variator shaft is mounted on a slide that is real 'sloppy' and inclined to also rattle/and add to the belt effects.


In short, that is the nature of the beast.


Do note the motor bearing oiling requirement mentioned by SDSSmith.

Thanks everyone. The unit was sitting for some time so that and the normal sounds may explain what I take to be Abby normal (as said in Young Frankenstein)