Shopsmith Forums

OK gang,
I was planning on making this trip sometime later in the spring, but I'll be going to visit my folks this weekend, and will have an entire Buick Rendeszvous to move my Mark V and hopefully DC (if it will fit) back to NY. My dad has a pretty complete set of wrenches etc... but are there any specialty items I'll need to break the Mark V down? I'm fairly certain that any tools that came with the Mark V will be there as well (knowing my Uncle, he'd have kept it all together).

Hope to have lots of photos of it in its new home if everything works out this weekend.

you need three tools to disassemble a Mark5 for shipping.

5/32 allen wrench
adjustable wrench (maybe only a 9/16?) for removing the legs and way tubes.
a flat blade screw driver (for removing the legs)
Possibly a soft faced mallet in the event something is stuck and requires persuasion (Try to avoid this if at all possible. The aluminum parts break easily.)

The design of the SS was very progressive for it's time and actually requires very few tools.

Yup! That's all you need along with a little space. I had a DC3300, a Mark V, a 10ER, and some other stuff all in my little Honda Civic. Shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes. You pull off one end of the way tubes after using a block of wood or something to put under the table supports to prop the tubes up at 20-30 degrees. Then just slide the headstock off. It weighs a few pounds, so be prepared. The tubes may or may not come out easily. If you want to clean the headstock out & inspect the inside, you'll need a Phillips screwdriver too.

Some people try to move Shopsmiths in one piece which might seem easier, but I think is more work. But, good luck. Having it apart will give you a chance to really check it out and maybe change the wheels or other things. But that's up to you. Installation is simply the reverse.

A long 5/32" allen wrench to reach the setscrews that secure the tubes.

True dat!!

Here is a video of Doug Reid showing the block of wood trick for removing the headstock. The picture is worth a thousand words and makes it much easier than carrying it with the headstock attached.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMVDpovFMw

update sowing = showing

I would add a good flashlight to see the setscrews with.
As far as the legs go I never (remember I hauled over 2 dozen of these things in passenger cars) removed the sheet metal legs from the pivot end or latch end castings. Never... After pulling things like the main table, extension table, tool rest, tail-stock or what ever was mounted I first pulled the tie-bar from the left end. This is where you may need a soft mallet. I like a "big" rubber one.
Then I just picked up the (loosened ) headstock high enough to clear the latch-end and slid it off. Try to not be standing on the cord. Loosen the way-tube setscrews and twist/pull the tubes out. Loosen the bench tube clamp bar cap-screws and that all falls apart.
Stow everything in car and drive home.


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letterk wrote:Here is a video of Doug Reid showing the block of wood trick for removing the headstock. The picture is worth a thousand words and makes it much easier than carrying it with the headstock attached.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sMVDpovFMw

update sowing = showing

That is a great description of headstock removal/install yet. Then again what else would one expect from Doug Reid

Thanks folks, I didn't move it into the basement where it sits now. Knowing my parents, two husky college students were likely candidates for the job. It sounds easy enough to do, I've got a friend going on the trip and between the two of us, we should get it moved with no problem.

well the mark V is still in VA, I'll have to pick it up another time, however, the DC did make the trip north.