Shopsmith Mark 5 What When and Where
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2021 3:18 pm
Since doing the Shopsmith Model 10 What When and Where and limited getting out because of covid restrictions, I have been also thinking about some of the similar things as related to the Shopsmith Mark 5 and its beginnings. Their histories are intertwined but I will try to keep this more to the Mark 5. Just know that the basis for the Mark 5 came from the Model 10E and 10ER as they evolved so did the vision for the Mark 5.
I think some history here is important since unfortunately the Shopsmith website has their own history somewhat incorrect. Originally the tool was the Shopsmith Mark 5 not Mark V. Mark V was used later after Shopsmith Inc. was formed and the tool itself had Mark 5 on its vent/serial number plate until early 1980. The Mark 5 was introduced in March of 1954 by Magna Engineering Corporation the original makers of the Shopsmith tool. Since then, several companies have owned the Shopsmith/Magna tool line. More on that later.
The Mark 5 had been in conception, engineering and production for quite some time before its introduction. It was the next step in the 5 in 1 power tool for the average user. I’m sure I do not need to tell all of you how versatile the Shopsmith 5 in 1 tool is compared to stand alone tools. Many of the things learned through the evolution of the Model 10’s was incorporated into the Mark 5. Like the Model 10’s the Mark 5 was improving as feedback continued to point out problem areas. One thing has always stayed the same and that is improvements and upgrades will work on the first Mark 5 made through the current Mark V’s being made. An original Mark 5 made in 1954 can be upgraded to all of the changes needed to be a Mark V 520 or even a Mark 7 but of course in doing so it won’t look much like that original Mark 5 any longer.
Early changes to the Mark 5 were mostly in the Headstock itself. Two problems quickly showed up. One was solved by adding a clutch to the Drive Sleeve to help prevent breaking the Gilmer Belt. Another was the Idler Shaft and Eccentric Bushing not being held well enough in place so the Bearing Retainers were added to help hold the Idler Shaft Assembly in place in the Headstock casting. This was an easy addition that could be added to early Mark 5’s. Later screws were used to hold the Eccentric Bushing and Idler Shaft Bearings in the Headstock casting. The list of changes continued but I am not going to list them all here.
There are parts of the Mark 5 that have not changed noticeably like the Speed Control used even today on new Mark V 520’s. The Speed Control Assembly has had only slight changes whereas the complete drive train has had quite a few changes. The change from the Gilmer Drive to the Poly V Drive was a notable one along with the change from a ¾ HP Motor to the 1-1/8 HP Motor. Even with all the changes made over the years the designers and engineers have always made the changes able to be used on earlier made Shopsmiths.
A design feature of the Mark 5 included the ability to expand its capabilities from the beginning. The Base/Arm and Headrest ends of the bench included the mounting holes for not only the Extension Table but the redesigned now Model 620 Magna 4” Jointer and the new Model 610 Magna Jig Saw. Other Magna Add-a-Tools followed.
Did you notice I called the Jointer and Jig Saw Magna and not Shopsmith? Did you notice I called them Add-a-Tools not SPT’s (Single or Special Purpose Tool)? Originally only the 5 in 1 Tools, first the Model 10E and 10ER followed by the Mark 5 were the Shopsmith Tool. The others carried the Magna name which included the later releases of the Sprayer (compressor), the Belt Sander and the Band Saw. There were additional tools made by Magna that included a Table Saw, Drill Press and others some of which could incorporate the use of the Add-a-Tools above on a single bench.
I think it is important to know that there have been several companies that have made the Shopsmith/Magna Tools over the years. In 1947 Magna Engineering Corporation was formed by the inventor and his partners to make the Shopsmith Model 10E 5 in 1 tool. It was Magna Engineering Corporation that introduced the Mark 5. Magna Engineering Corporation existed on its own from 1947 to 1955 when it split into two divisions. Magna Engineering Corporation retained the Design and Manufacturing operations and Magna Power Tool Corporation took over the Sales and Marketing. This was from 1955 until 1958 and is the reason you see Magna Power Tool Corporation on the Shopsmith’s name plate and printed materials. In 1958 Yuba Consolidated Industries, Inc. purchased Magna and another company then formed Yuba Power Products Inc. During this time, they also made the Yard Smith line of power garden tools. Yuba sold the rights to the Shopsmith/Magna product lines to a group of employees in 1961 who formed Magna American Corporation. Magna American Corporation continued into the late 1960’s until sales dwindled down to nearly nothing and they closed operations. It was Magna American Corporation that gave us the first Shopsmith Mark VII that was quite different from the Mark 5 in not only looks but in how it operated. There are different years given depending on where you read about the Shopsmith story as to when Magna American Corporation discontinued operations. This, I believe, is because of the different dates they ceased production of different tools. The Mark 5 production ended around 1965 but the Mark VII continued well into 1968 and maybe as late as the beginning of 1969. It seemed this was to be the end of the Shopsmith/Magna Tools line. In 1972 Shopsmith Inc. was formed to bring back the Shopsmith Mark 5 and the related SPT’s. The Mark 5 was back for sale in 1973. This brought another change as all the Magna named SPT’s were now Shopsmith tools although Magna markings remained on several SPT’s for years after Shopsmith Inc. started. There are two additional names of companies to mention. The first is RLF Shop LLC from 2010 and RLF Brands LLC from 2010 – present. Although still known as simply Shopsmith to most of us it is RLF Brands LLC that now owns Shopsmith but the why of that is in itself is another story.
I think some history here is important since unfortunately the Shopsmith website has their own history somewhat incorrect. Originally the tool was the Shopsmith Mark 5 not Mark V. Mark V was used later after Shopsmith Inc. was formed and the tool itself had Mark 5 on its vent/serial number plate until early 1980. The Mark 5 was introduced in March of 1954 by Magna Engineering Corporation the original makers of the Shopsmith tool. Since then, several companies have owned the Shopsmith/Magna tool line. More on that later.
The Mark 5 had been in conception, engineering and production for quite some time before its introduction. It was the next step in the 5 in 1 power tool for the average user. I’m sure I do not need to tell all of you how versatile the Shopsmith 5 in 1 tool is compared to stand alone tools. Many of the things learned through the evolution of the Model 10’s was incorporated into the Mark 5. Like the Model 10’s the Mark 5 was improving as feedback continued to point out problem areas. One thing has always stayed the same and that is improvements and upgrades will work on the first Mark 5 made through the current Mark V’s being made. An original Mark 5 made in 1954 can be upgraded to all of the changes needed to be a Mark V 520 or even a Mark 7 but of course in doing so it won’t look much like that original Mark 5 any longer.
Early changes to the Mark 5 were mostly in the Headstock itself. Two problems quickly showed up. One was solved by adding a clutch to the Drive Sleeve to help prevent breaking the Gilmer Belt. Another was the Idler Shaft and Eccentric Bushing not being held well enough in place so the Bearing Retainers were added to help hold the Idler Shaft Assembly in place in the Headstock casting. This was an easy addition that could be added to early Mark 5’s. Later screws were used to hold the Eccentric Bushing and Idler Shaft Bearings in the Headstock casting. The list of changes continued but I am not going to list them all here.
There are parts of the Mark 5 that have not changed noticeably like the Speed Control used even today on new Mark V 520’s. The Speed Control Assembly has had only slight changes whereas the complete drive train has had quite a few changes. The change from the Gilmer Drive to the Poly V Drive was a notable one along with the change from a ¾ HP Motor to the 1-1/8 HP Motor. Even with all the changes made over the years the designers and engineers have always made the changes able to be used on earlier made Shopsmiths.
A design feature of the Mark 5 included the ability to expand its capabilities from the beginning. The Base/Arm and Headrest ends of the bench included the mounting holes for not only the Extension Table but the redesigned now Model 620 Magna 4” Jointer and the new Model 610 Magna Jig Saw. Other Magna Add-a-Tools followed.
Did you notice I called the Jointer and Jig Saw Magna and not Shopsmith? Did you notice I called them Add-a-Tools not SPT’s (Single or Special Purpose Tool)? Originally only the 5 in 1 Tools, first the Model 10E and 10ER followed by the Mark 5 were the Shopsmith Tool. The others carried the Magna name which included the later releases of the Sprayer (compressor), the Belt Sander and the Band Saw. There were additional tools made by Magna that included a Table Saw, Drill Press and others some of which could incorporate the use of the Add-a-Tools above on a single bench.
I think it is important to know that there have been several companies that have made the Shopsmith/Magna Tools over the years. In 1947 Magna Engineering Corporation was formed by the inventor and his partners to make the Shopsmith Model 10E 5 in 1 tool. It was Magna Engineering Corporation that introduced the Mark 5. Magna Engineering Corporation existed on its own from 1947 to 1955 when it split into two divisions. Magna Engineering Corporation retained the Design and Manufacturing operations and Magna Power Tool Corporation took over the Sales and Marketing. This was from 1955 until 1958 and is the reason you see Magna Power Tool Corporation on the Shopsmith’s name plate and printed materials. In 1958 Yuba Consolidated Industries, Inc. purchased Magna and another company then formed Yuba Power Products Inc. During this time, they also made the Yard Smith line of power garden tools. Yuba sold the rights to the Shopsmith/Magna product lines to a group of employees in 1961 who formed Magna American Corporation. Magna American Corporation continued into the late 1960’s until sales dwindled down to nearly nothing and they closed operations. It was Magna American Corporation that gave us the first Shopsmith Mark VII that was quite different from the Mark 5 in not only looks but in how it operated. There are different years given depending on where you read about the Shopsmith story as to when Magna American Corporation discontinued operations. This, I believe, is because of the different dates they ceased production of different tools. The Mark 5 production ended around 1965 but the Mark VII continued well into 1968 and maybe as late as the beginning of 1969. It seemed this was to be the end of the Shopsmith/Magna Tools line. In 1972 Shopsmith Inc. was formed to bring back the Shopsmith Mark 5 and the related SPT’s. The Mark 5 was back for sale in 1973. This brought another change as all the Magna named SPT’s were now Shopsmith tools although Magna markings remained on several SPT’s for years after Shopsmith Inc. started. There are two additional names of companies to mention. The first is RLF Shop LLC from 2010 and RLF Brands LLC from 2010 – present. Although still known as simply Shopsmith to most of us it is RLF Brands LLC that now owns Shopsmith but the why of that is in itself is another story.