Shopsmith Forums

Looks like there are several of these threads on here. Been fascinated by these machines for some time. Finally got my hands on one. I'm the proud owner of what I believe is a Mark V 500 with a 510 upgrade from 1978. At least that's what the serial number of 20200 tells me. I got it and all the accessories for $500. I think it was a good deal and is in pretty good shape. Seems to run just fine though I think it needs some TLC to get it running accurately. Hopefully I can detail what I find on this thread. Glad to be a part of the community!

Here are the accessories. Without pulling them all out it's got all the lathe attachments, some blades and dado parts, drill chuck, grinder, several sanding parts, drill bits, blade guard, chisels. And it has some of the original manuals. It had an unopened box with the rest of the 510 table attachments that weren't in the picture. I haven't gotten them all out to check if they are all there.

Possible problems.
This table is bent off to the left. I'm sure I can adjust it.
Some rust on these. Don't know how far it goes.

You have an early Shopsmith Inc. Mark 5. Essentially equivalent to a Mark V 500. In 1978 there was no Mark V.

The extension table MAY be correctable as is if it is mounted with studs and double nuts etc.. If not, it is easily converted to studs etc. which makes it easier to set level etc..

Welcome to the madness!!!!!

JPG wrote:You have an early Shopsmith Inc. Mark 5. Essentially equivalent to a Mark V 500. In 1978 there was no Mark V.

The extension table MAY be correctable as is if it is mounted with studs and double nuts etc.. If not, it is easily converted to studs etc. which makes it easier to set level etc..

Welcome to the madness!!!!!

That's great info! So when I order parts do I order Mark V 500 parts or are they separate? Right now I don't have the set screw for my saw blade arbor.

Jimmy18 wrote:

JPG wrote:You have an early Shopsmith Inc. Mark 5. Essentially equivalent to a Mark V 500. In 1978 there was no Mark V.

The extension table MAY be correctable as is if it is mounted with studs and double nuts etc.. If not, it is easily converted to studs etc. which makes it easier to set level etc..

Welcome to the madness!!!!!

That's great info! So when I order parts do I order Mark V 500 parts or are they separate? Right now I don't have the set screw for my saw blade arbor.

Order the 'current' one. It is better than the older one.

However a 5/16 - 18 x 1/4 with flat point will suffice. If you cannot find a flat point one, the disc sander and the 5/32" long allen wrench and the miter gauge set to '0' will make one flat. Just make sure to keep the setscrew 'captive'.

When ordering parts, be explicit that you have a 1978 Mark5 with a 510 upgrade to minimize any confusion.

Maybe it is just the picture. But I don't like the look of the tube positions. And, if my thinking is right then the tubes are not installed correctly and could be a accident waiting to happen. So before you do much else check to see the tubes are inserted and clamped in the right position. Doing so may fix the issue you were discribing in the post.
Seriously if those tubes pull out when moving it the machine could be damaged and require some additional repairs and added cost for them. If you are not sure how to proceed just ask we have an abundance of helpful people here.

Oh yes welcome to the forum and on your new to you machine.

Ed

reible wrote:Maybe it is just the picture. But I don't like the look of the tube positions. And, if my thinking is right then the tubes are not installed correctly and could be a accident waiting to happen. So before you do much else check to see the tubes are inserted and clamped in the right position. Doing so may fix the issue you were discribing in the post.

Clipboard01.jpg

Seriously if those tubes pull out when moving it the machine could be damaged and require some additional repairs and added cost for them. If you are not sure how to proceed just ask we have an abundance of helpful people here.

Oh yes welcome to the forum and on your new to you machine.

Ed

Hmm, it does kinda look like the base is canted away from the bench tubes. Are the ways locked down? Could it be locked but not have the way tubes seated correctly causing the lock to push away? Could be causing the extension table tilt.

Note the third pix

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... #post41342

Read the rest if desired! (you might want to check the hinge end as well)

Saw that the rails underneath weren't seated on all 4 corners. Off came the motor and a reseat.