Russ,
In the “Buying a Used Shopsmith v2.pdf” I amended in March 2015 with photos and other annotations I mentioned on page 8 that the new profile machine made 1954 to 1950 “is often referred to as a Shopsmith Mark V (500) model which would have three color schemes over the years: ‘Greenies’ 1954-60, ‘Goldies’ and 1960-63 Gray Crinkle 1963-64.”
My purpose in re-writing that document was less historical than to expand a document presumed written by Nick Engler (later verified to have been) to include photos with credits, additional information, even linking the photos to the threads from which they came in the forums.
Indeed Magna Engineering did create the Mark 5 [Mark V (500) as some call it]. I believe that the 500, 505, 510, 520 model numbering in a way was done to pay homage to the Mark 5 but I can’t prove that. I suspect it remained a Mark 5 until the plant ran out of Mark 5 vent plate inventory which could have been substantial. They likely reordered the vent plate which had the serial number stamped, with Mark V when they ran out of Mark 5 vent plates. They were known to be frugal.
In 1958 Magna Engineering merged with Yuba Power Products who would sell soon afterwards.
The Greenies were continued by the new owner(s) for a time before the 1960 Goldie was introduced which bore the Yuba Color Schema, though now owned by Magna American. Yuba had the Radial Arm Saw and even a Table Saw back in the day.
Yuba Power Products, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio was a wholly owned subsidiary of YUBA Consolidated Industries, Inc.
Also in 1958 to 1960, Yuba then Magna American made the Mark II for Montgomery Ward which was gray. I have advertising to show that they marketed it under their own name as well at the time as a Mark 2, Magna Power Tool Corporation - May 1958, which one of my Greenies (345791) Vent plate shows as a Mark 5 made by Magna Power Tool Corporation.
By 1960 the Mark VII (7 in 1 tool) was brought to market, also gray. It is noteworthy that the Mark VII model numbering was to differentiate it from the Mark V that the original machine had been conceptually renamed to by then. I have not validated a timeline certain for that actual model name change.
I contend that Yuba / Magna American made “Greenies” with Gilmer Drives for a period of time, since that was what the Magna Engineering Company they took over had, complete with existing parts inventories to produce.
It was this period of transition they introduced the Poly-V belt and Quill to replace the Gilmer drive belt and Quill that was present in the “Greenies” (Mark 5). By 1962 they would sport the 1 1/8 HP motor.
Yuba quickly sought to divest this product line and a group of Yuba/Shopsmith employees bought the rights and assets forming Magna America which existed by 1959 (see below).
Note Magna America Brochure extract that I have included dated 1/62 shows the Shopsmith as a Mark 5, but I believe that the Mark V renaming was in the works due to the Mark VII and Mark II model naming conventions which by now existed.
Yuba spun it off to the employees rather quickly and Magna American Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio formed in late 1958 or early 1959 as evidenced by the 1959 Copyright designation on the last page of the Magna Sawsmith Spare Parts list extract I included below for your reference. A full copy is in My Google Drive under Magna Sawsmith Folder. You will note there is also a Yuba version of that Parts List there, which makes sense as Yuba was manufacturing it when they merged with Magna Engineering.
The Anniversary Edition moniker given the Goldie introduced by Magna America in 1960 I believe was to mark Magna American’s one year anniversary, but I cannot validate that.
Respectfully,
Everett
- Sawsmith Magna American Jan 62.png (1.05 MiB) Viewed 20386 times
- Magna American Sawsmith Spare Parts List showing 1959 Copyright.png (32.1 KiB) Viewed 20386 times
- Mark 2 Popular Mechanics May 1958 small.png (703.43 KiB) Viewed 20385 times
- Mark 5 sn 345791.png (659.67 KiB) Viewed 20358 times
