Shopsmith Forums

I was gifted a ShopSmith by a friend. It's a Greenie. He says it had been left out in the rain and it's seized... so I know that won't be a quick fix, and I'm not a mechanic, so this will be a complete learning project. There isn't a shaft sticking out from the body here, so not sure whether it's even worth trying? It see that the joiner (jointer?) is the Magna version. It's VERY rusted. Not sure if it's savable. Should I just replace it? The only other part he had was the table for the saw. I'll keep looking here for advice and info, and it would be amazing to get this piece of history working, but I don't have a lot of money and knowledge, so not sure if I can do this on my own. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm a women who is interested in learning about woodworking, but have very very little experience, and no one to learn from. My friend, who had some knowledge, is 72 and starting to get dementia, so he's not really able to help any more, sadly. Thanks in advance.

new to a greenie, new to woodworking, from Ontario Canada.

Welcome to the forum! The Idler Shaft, as shown in your picture, definitely isn't right. Two easy possibilities are that it has the wrong hub installed (normally a longer hub goes on the upper shaft and a short hub goes on the Idler) or that the Idler itself is partially pushed into the headstock. Neither is a serious problem. I would start with penetrating oil on both hubs it both are present, try to loosen the setscrews and remove the hubs. Let the penetrating oil soak overnight at least, it's pretty rusted. If you are able to get the hubs off you can remove the screws and pull the belt cover back to start inspecting the headstock. Come back here often with pictures and questions.

Seized can mean something as simple as a belt pinched between sheaves. This happens from time to time on Mark 5/V when the uninformed try to adjust the speed control when the machine is not turning. More serious would be one or more seized bearings, we can talk you through how to determine which one(s). I'd suggest starting with an overall assessment of what the machine needs before deciding how to proceed.

- David

You located in Canada?

Typically rust looks far worse than it is.

Key is to not remove it abrasively or chemicals that remove base material. Use electrolysis or evaporust.

RealmFueling,

Welcome to the Shopsmith Forum. No matter how bad it may look there is hope. Your Mark 5 would be from later 1956 and it appears the Headstock went back to the factory sometime after 1973 judging by the Shopsmith Inc. sticker below the Vent/Serial Number Plate. Your Jointer was made in 1957. Since the Headstock probably went back to the factory for some work it likely was upgraded from the original Gilmer Drive to the Poly V Drive. That would be good news. As has already been suggested remove the hubs from the drive shafts and open the Headstock by removing the belt cover. That will tell a lot about its condition and the next steps to take. Did you receive any manuals with your Mark 5 and Jointer?

As for the Jointer it does say Magna which is correct since only the 5 in 1 tools were named Shopsmith. First was the Model 10E and 10ER followed by the Mark 5. Your Magna Jointer is the same Jointer named Shopsmith today but without upgrades that have occurred since yours was made. Those upgrades can be added to your Jointer.

There is a lot of information available here on the Shopsmith Forum that you will find helpful in your restoration and you can always ask questions here on your thread. At the link below is a lot of good information to help you restore your Mark 5 which is titled Everything Mark 5/V - Technical Info, documentation, links.

viewtopic.php?t=5092

If you want to know more about the changes and history of the Mark 5 check out the link below for the thread titled Shopsmith Mark 5 What When and Where.

viewtopic.php?t=24963

Thanks everyone, you've given me a place to start at least. I'll keep you posted!