Shopsmith Forums

Ok so as a newbie I am reading about the various incarnations of the Mark 5/7. I see on the Sawdust videos that dating one is possible. But how do I know if I have a 500/510/520. Is there a consolidated thread or download or website that illustrates what the differences are and what each upgrade.

And what upgrades are available and considered mandatory/advisable/not worth it. I love shopsmith so far in its upgrade ability and features but it is a bit overwhelming.

Found the thread on the differeces between 500/510/520

Ok still poking around and am wondering. I should not do this at work because I cant see the serial number. But here is what i know. JPG suggested i have a greenie due to the square button I posted in the of my "spare" (read broken) parts. Now my machine is not green. I believe the square button is a result of the tough wear it had as it rode on the pork chop. At any rate my machine is solid grey. it is not smooth either it has a rough orange peel sort of texture. But it has a single bearing quill. when I read the "evolution of the Mark V" it seems this should not be. that when they changed to a two bearing quill they changed to the rough paint. Just FYI I don't think the quill has been replaced because the lead putty was still in the two Allen screws.

This is really academic at this point as I can tell already I have the larger 1 1/8 HP motor and I also know I want/need a two bearing quill. Ant the 520 table system is something I can dream about. I actually have a stand alone table saw and so that function on the shopsmith is not a big concern.

So what are some other things I should be thinking and dreaming about.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/toolhistory.htm

Sorry for bombarding my own thread. I am an enthusiastic new comer. The above link I think answered my question. given the "splatter" texture and single bearing quill I believe my machine was made between '72 and '84.

dsinsley wrote:http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/toolhistory.htm

Sorry for bombarding my own thread. I am an enthusiastic new comer. The above link I think answered my question. given the "splatter" texture and single bearing quill I believe my machine was made between '72 and '84.

I think I confused your thread/machine with another that was a Greenie. Yes, I do get confused 'occasionally'.

Does it not have a shiney vent plate surrounding the idler shaft?

Thereon will be a serial number(maybe).

OR a sticker with a date.

If your age guess is correct it will have a SN on the vent plate.

Also unless it has been upgraded by a PO, it is a Mark V '500'. (If it were green, it would be a Mark '5'. Interesting how the 'history' ignores that!)



As for upgrades, SPT's, Attachments, When you need them you will know.
Without that need ye be tool collecting.(An all too common trait in these parts).

Ok finally got home and actually looked at the serial number on the vent plate. It is 59993 so on the charts it is a 1980. Say it is a Mark V which makes sense and confirms why it would have a single bearing quill.

As for attachments and upgrades and what not I see what you mean about getting carried away. I already want one of everything even though I don't need it. So thanks for the advice that I will know when I need it.

dsinsley wrote:Ok finally got home and actually looked at the serial number on the vent plate. It is 59993 so on the charts it is a 1980. Say it is a Mark V which makes sense and confirms why it would have a single bearing quill.

As for attachments and upgrades and what not I see what you mean about getting carried away. I already want one of everything even though I don't need it. So thanks for the advice that I will know when I need it.

I need to soften that a bit. If you 'have' a giz whiz, then you can consider projects that require a giz whiz. So an educated guess re what you might 'do' in the future will justify getting a giz whiz before then.

I understood where you were going. I will always look for good deals on attachments. (there is a jointer with power station for $100 bucks calling to me that I can buy right now). but I can also see where one might start to collect stuff just for the sake of having it. I would love the 510 or 520 table system but in reality I have a stationary table saw that does what that does already so it would be a trophy and not a necessity. I will have a great router table very soon when I finish my table saw extension so no need for a router attachment.

I get it temper desire with practicality.

dsinsley wrote:I understood where you were going. I will always look for good deals on attachments. (there is a jointer with power station for $100 bucks calling to me that I can buy right now). but I can also see where one might start to collect stuff just for the sake of having it. I would love the 510 or 520 table system but in reality I have a stationary table saw that does what that does already so it would be a trophy and not a necessity. I will have a great router table very soon when I finish my table saw extension so no need for a router attachment.

I get it temper desire with practicality.

Go get it!!!! Especially if it IS a power STATION rather than a power STAND.

A power station has variable speed and SPTs mount on it just like the Mark V but with a limited speed range. FWIW, it is too slow for a jointer.

I consider a jointer to be critical to making stuff accurately.

A band saw would be the second thing to acquire. Took me 50 years to realize that.