Shopsmith Forums

So here is an interesting Mark V for sale on ebay. He calls it a "Dual Shopsmith Mark V 510 or Shop-Franken-Smith". Basically, it is two Mark V 510 Headstocks and Carriages mounted on shortened way tubes at 46" that can be raised on either end of the tool. Kinda what a Mark 7 or Mark V with double tilt can do except with two headstocks and carriages it can be setup for two functions at once. I'll let you be the judge.

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I am not sure what the function of the board is. Maybe workspace to keep items handy. Having one end always up limits the table saw capacity and the shortened way tubes limits the lathe length.

I will stick with my Mark 7 and if I need additional set ups at the same time, I still have the Mark V 520 and Model 10's to use. Two tools are better than one Shop-Franken-Smith.

This is just one of those types of things I've always loved about Shopsmiths and this Forum !!!

That is way cool. I have imagined all sorts of configurations of Shopsmith bench, table, and headstock configurations, but nothing really worth considering any further in the end, save for a drill press and a shorty. This one is interesting if you want a drill press available all the time, it resembles some of the Smithy type milling machines. I have a separate dedicated Shopsmith drill press already so it doesn't give me anything new. Someone might like this as way to save space. However the drill press tubes on the end could get in the way of working on large stock.

I enjoyed making my drill press. It's like using Shopsmith parts in the manner of TinkerToys. I'll eventually end up making some kind of FrankenSmith because I have a lot of parts. I already made a FrankenSawSmith.

I think you guys must have enjoyed playing with erector sets a little too much as a kid...

Whenever I see one of these, I always ask why?!?!? Sure you can make all kinds of crazy contraptions putting together multiple Mark V's, but are you any more efficient? Does it solve a problem that you have? I am still struggling with the "why" here. Keep in mind the whole claim to fame for Shopsmith is the supposed quick change over between modes, so what benefit does one of these Frankensmith machines have?

Why? Because we can and it's cool. Besides, if it doesn't meet our expectations we can take it apart and make something else cool. Long live Erector Sets!

Seems like more of an abomination to me; hence the "Frankensmith" moniker. Must be an acquired taste...

RFGuy wrote: ↑Fri Apr 22, 2022 6:54 pm Must be an acquired taste...

All the best things are.

I wonder if the left(under table tilt) runs backwards?

JPG wrote: ↑Sat Apr 23, 2022 12:14 am I wonder if the left(under table tilt) runs backwards?

My right-handed router bits greatly outnumber my reversable shaper cutters.

BuckeyeDennis wrote: ↑Sat Apr 23, 2022 7:38 am

JPG wrote: ↑Sat Apr 23, 2022 12:14 am I wonder if the left(under table tilt) runs backwards?

My right-handed router bits greatly outnumber my reversable shaper cutters.

WHAT is a reversible shaper cutter???