Shopsmith Forums

After years of covetting a Shopsmith I picked up a 1982 Mark V 500 with old style jigsaw (poor shape), bandsaw (good shape), 12" planer (good), bunch of blades for table and bandsaw, sanding disks, etc. for $250. I also got a freebie greenie. At least I think it is a greenie but I'm colorblind and it is missing the serial number plate. That $250 is a lot to me but I would have paid more than that for a decent used bandsaw and drill press (been looking), plus I've wanted a shopsmith since around the year the newer one here was built (I was 10 then!).

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Newer one.

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Older Greenie hiding in corner with planer undernieth (won't stay stored that way), jigsaw, etc.

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Box of blades - most rusty. Check out the writing on the box. I only noticed that just now!

The later model seems in OK functional shape though it has not been stored well at all, rust along the lower tubes, light surface rust, dirt, crude, whatnot on other surfaces. I've done the periodic lubrication as listed online, but I have never seen one in action. It seems smooth, changes through the speed range OK. Case vibrates a little at one speed. I ran it on a low speed for around 20 minutes using a sanding disk and the case was just a little bit warm.

The earlier model was included "if you want it - I think it is broken." It wasn't frozen so I tried turning it on... it worked for a minute, made a noise, and I hit the switch. I opened it up and out fell half the speed adjusting gilmer belt. Well, the motor seemed to run OK after that. I'm going to try de-rusting and cleaning up this one first for the sake of practice but will probably hold off on replacing any parts until after the newer one is all set.

So, my questions:
I'm taking them apart (old one first for practice) to de-rust and do at least a light restore. I'm ready to try the electrolysis rust removal approach, just need to pull it apart. Any tricks to getting the tubes off? One of the top tubes was loose enough to twist off, the other won't budge. I can't find a set screw or anything and I can't tap it out from the end since it is closed. I don't want to marr it up. The lower tubes are much worse but they are easily removed.

The base with the pivot... the pivot looks to be held by a roll pin. It can't be driven out the other side, do I just try and grab and yank? Drill it out?

The '82 sounds OK and looks alright from what I can see opening it up a bit. Since it was stored improperly (rusted), how concerned should I be about a similar lack of proper ongoing maintanance meaning it is a basket case and I'll need to buy lots of new internals? Bearings and the like? I don't know how it was used. I hope it was used properly by earlier owner, then let rust by last owner. I know he stored it in a rust attracting basement and only used the planer for one job, never used anything else.
A couple photos of the interior.... looks dirty but I don't see any broken teeth:
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Now the things I'm missing:
bandsaw fence (have old cast iron table), miter gauges, tablesaw guard/featherboards/etc., lathe chuck [do have 4 spur drive center and live center]. Oh, and the vertical adjustment handle for the planer. Probably other stuff, but all in all it seems OK. Ebay time.

Anyone nearby? I'd like to come by and see your SS run to get a sense of how it should sound, ask questions, etc. I'll bring pie.

I'm cleaning up the older one first. I don't have room to keep both so unless I need to cannibalise a lot from it I'll find someone who wants it. I'll clean it up first but probably not spend any money on the belt, etc. I doubt I can sell it since it is bare bones (has tables, tool rest, etc but not much else).

Sorry for the long post, I'm excited.

If the older one runs, why not cut it down to about 1/3 the current footprint and make it a dedicated drill press, drum sander. Then you won't have to raise and lower the newer one anytime you need to drill something.

Now that is a great idea! I would love to keep two set up but together they barely fit. Cut down I'll have no problem.

I realized the roll pin on the base pivot does go through, it is simply at a downwards angle and does not exit the very far side but rather underneath. That also exposed the set screws I was not seeing on the upper tubes.

It is so nice taking something apart that is well made and not stamped together.

I'm up near Arcata, so 5+ hours away…good news is lots of shop smiths sold around the Bay Area, so you should be able to find the parts you need fairly easily. E-Bay of course is also an option for the random parts needed but that can start adding up when you tack on the selling price plus shipping for each item. You've found a great place to help you through any questions you have while rehabbing your machines and otherwise getting things rolling. Ask lots of questions and post lots of pictures

BTW, I love that wooden crate - that is a great one!

The CI bandsaw uses the miter gauge for a fence.

Evaporust is another rust removal option. Good for smsaller parts and the tubes.

Do lubricate the 82 prior to using it.

A shorty or mini is a great use for the greenie.

Dgale & JPG, thanks for the suggestions and encouragement. I've taken the greenie apart as far as the end cover of the case so far, will open it up after I read up on what maintenance I should do. For now I'm assessing things and giving a deep cleaning to all parts.
I tried electrolytic rust removal and am so impressed with how well it works and how easily l easy and relatively clean it is. Messy rust of course but no nasty chemicals.
The photos above really don't show the state of rust on the lower tubes on both machines whatsoever. It was much worse than the photos seem to show! The bandsaw table and tubes I've done look great
I'll post photos later.

Fitzhugh