Shopsmith Forums

Greetings, All. My story is similar to many others here. I wanted a Mark V since watching a SS infomercial in the 80’s. Around the mid-90’s, I ended up buying an old Mark V from my parents’ neighbor back home in southern CO. It had some age, and it turned out to have a pretty good backstory that came with it. You see, our old neighbor was a retired lieutenant commander in the Navy. Back in the mid-60’s, he commanded a landing ship in the Pacific that also saw action in Vietnam. He told me how he procured this Mark V for his men on the ship to use for recreation. He even vividly described how it helped some guys them keep their sanity while out at sea.

The story continues that at the end of a deployment (which was also our neighbor’s last on this ship), he decided to raffle off the Mark V. By some coincidence, he just happened to be the lucky(?) winner. The wink he gave me when he described his good fortune at winning it told me all I needed to know.

The Mark V came with a Magna jointer and jig saw, and numerous other supplies and manuals. Over the years, I collected SS catalogs and added other materials. I used it primarily for it’s table saw and sanding disk features, but not much of the other tools. Back in 2002, I sent the headstock back to the SS factory for a motor upgrade. Over the last 15 or so years, life got in the way and the old machine just gathered dust and fell into neglect in a corner of the garage.

Fast forward to a couple months ago when I started considering getting back into woodworking and deciding what to do with the old Mark V. To try and get info on what they are selling for, I started pouring through this forum. I came across the other threads written about restorations and came away inspired to say the least. So after some consideration, I’ve changed my mind and decided to refurbish my machine. I’ll still want to upgrade to a new table saw at some point, but I’m going to make the most of already having a jointer and lathe by getting this old girl running again. Besides, it’s the least I can do for a machine that served its country.

First things first, I want to confirm what I have. The serial number on the headstock nameplate is 369798. So I date this as a Goldie from around 1961. The jointer serial number is M076508, which is dated to around the same time. This is consistent with being in an original owner’s possession before it went into active duty on a navy ship. The unit and the jointer were repainted red long ago (actually a couple different sloppy shades of red). You can still catch glimpses of the old gold paint in some areas. The bench tubes are a basic gray color. And the headstock has a couple dents. My guess is it probably went through some good use, not to mention some rough seas, and it probably got touched up by some of the sailors. There are still some hints of faded Goldie paint in areas.

To all you out there, can you confirm anything else about the machine I have? Pictures below.

One thing for sure is that is NOT an OEM blade. It is too big!!!!

Did you get the gilmer drive updated to poly-v drive when the motor was upgraded?

A couple of missing parts and some non-original parts, but over all it is as you described.

The lower bench tubes were originally grey, but they now are definitely battleship gray.

BTW it is a Mark 5, not a Mark V.

Adding to what JPG has said. Your Mark 5 was made in March 1961. The bench tubes of that era were painted. For the Goldie I restored I used a silver paint. The paint on yours is not all the original colors. I used copper and oatmeal Rustoleum Hammered Finish Paints. These are almost an exact match and the best I could find without having custom colors made. They are so close it is hard to tell the difference.

The Jointer was made in April of 1961 and as you already mentioned about the paint job it should be in the Goldie paint colors too. JPG questioned the blade since the early Mark 5 Shopsmiths used a 9" blade not the current 10". Lowering the table all the way down over the headstock with a 10" blade may cut into the table slots. JPG can confirm this as he has a Goldie that he purchased new. I resold the Goldie I restored as I restore old Shopsmiths as a hobby so I cannot check that.

As for what you have and do not have. The tailstock is missing the Eccentric Mount but you can get one from any Mark 5 or Mark V as they are the same today as back then. I do not see the any of the Lathe Tool Rest parts. The early Mark 5's did not come with blade guard. IF you are thinking of upgrading the table system to the larger current table system they use a blade guard that is not compatible with the original table system and vice versa. I do not see the Drill Chuck or key and the Saw Blade Arbor is not the original. If it is the longer one for the Mark V 510, 520 or Mark 7 that would be a plus if you upgrade.

Below is the Goldie I restored to compare the paint colors on each part.
This is the Jointer that came with it.
Keep us updated and let us know if you have any more questions.

JPG, I still have the gilmer drive in this. Based on what I'm reading in other posts, upgrading to a double bearing quill would be pretty expensive because of the current gilmer arrangement, is that correct? Just exploring my options.

Chapmanruss, thanks for verifying the dates of mfr for my pieces. That helps. I can definitely still spot some old gold paint underneath parts of the jointer. Btw, very nice job on your Goldie restoration - a true piece of work. Regarding missing pieces I should have let you know that I do in fact have the lathe tool rest and eccentric reducer. I also have the sanding disk, drill chuck/key, sanding drums, and old manuals. I also have more original saw blades and arbors. My bad for not including more exact information when I was asking for an assessment of what I have. I'll be more descriptive with future questions.

Thanks, gents.

In addition to a new two bearing quill, you would need to replace the drive sleeve, fixed idler sheave and of course the belt. MUCHO dinero!!!

If you want to upgrade to a double bearing quill you will have to upgrade to the poly V drive unless you have someone or can do it yourself, machine your current quill assembly to add a second bearing. It has been done. Changing to the poly V drive requires replacing the Drive Sleeve Assembly and the Idler Shaft Sheave from the Gilmer to Poly V part. New parts including the quill will cost about $370 and only includes the cost of the Idler Shaft Sheave but not the complete Idler Shaft Assembly. If the Idler bearings are worn it would be a good time to replace them too. Replacing the belts will be a little cheaper for a poly V belt ($24.85) than a Gilmer belt ($34.87) and the motor drive belt is the same. Used parts will vary and depend on availability but overall will likely end up cheaper. Patience will help in getting a better deal on used parts.

There is another option. Skip Campbell, MKCtools, machines Gilmer quills to accept a second bearing.
http://www.mkctools.com/mark%20v%20parts.htm

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S7ICFrSttA[/youtube]

rpd wrote:There is another option. Skip Campbell, MKCtools, machines Gilmer quills to accept a second bearing.
http://www.mkctools.com/mark%20v%20parts.htm

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S7ICFrSttA[/youtube]

Skip has been moving (down sizing?) and has been selling off a lot of stuff. Not sure that is an option right now. I have not checked his web site lately so I don't know what is available. It certainly is a first class option if still available.

Two more cents worth on other options. If you decide you're ready to buy make it known on this forum but in an appropriately titled thread that you're in the market for all of the leftover parts from a DIY PowerPro upgrade on a two bearing headstock. You'd get everything you need plus 1-1/8 HP motor and some extras. I think $150 - $200 would be fair to both parties.

- David