Shopsmith Forums

Hi,

I was wondering just how many editions of the PTWFE are there? I personal own three versions which cover my ownership years of 1976 to now. Below is a picture of the three.

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If anyone has older ones and can post photo's of the cover I'd love to see them.

Ed

Here is the cover of the 1955 version I have.
I also has a Montgomery Ward price tag of $4.95 inside the cover.

Don't mean to highjack this thread, so my apologies in advance......

I bought a 4th edition, but own a 1956 greenie that hasn't been upgraded.

What's the difference in the editions? Will the book tell me to do something that the greenie isn't capable of? From my readings on here it appears the only MAJOR differences between the machines is: 1) horsepower 2) table size 3) fence (520) 4) carriage (wheels instead of levers).

So what's the difference between editions?

Here are the issues I have, L-R 1953, 1955, 1970s, and the 1989 4th ed. Mr R. J. DeCristoforo was an incredible teacher in the use of the Shopsmith as well as many other tools. Any time I see a woodworking book with the name R. J. DeCristoforo as the author I purchase it.

ldh

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Resurrecting an old thread -- I was wondering the same thing as a previous poster: Other than juggling the contents around a bit, what are the differences in the four editions of PTWFE?

There are plans for jigs and such in some of the issues that are removed after SHOPSMITH started making it. Also I believe some things that were determined to be less safe have been removed from later issues. Then some things were added to later issues to support new spt's that had been added and remove those that were no longer supported.

As far as what is applicable to any SHOPSMITH. I think they all have good information in them that can be used for all MK V's.

Just my opinion tho.

I have the 10ER version (upper left in the picture above) that I've read cover to cover several times. I recently bought the Mark 5 500 version (lower right in the picture above) and just started looking through it. Although very similar, the Mark 5 version is a little more detailed and specific to the Shopsmith. The 10ER version seemed to try to be a general woodworking book using the Shopsmith as the sample machine for the most part (I don't even think the word "Shopsmith" appears in the text). Chapters on the jointer and the bandsaw use other brand machines. There are whole chapters on safety and alignment in the Mark 5 version that are not in the 10ER version.

I get the collecting fever now and again and I will check the internet for PTWFE versions I haven't seen before, but I have had the best luck in small town used bookstores. My contribution to this discussion would be the orange covered volume in the lower right of the picture. This is not technically a "PTWFE" according to its title, but in all other respects it is. The contents are PTWFE re-written for the Mk VII and all the illustrations are for that model.

What I like about the older versions, besides the nostalgia factor, is the information on sharpening and maintenance that did not make it into the newer books.

Hi I'm Ray!
New to this forum, I'm nuts about woodworking!
Looking forward to sharing some tips with you guys ;-)

Welcome Ray! You are in good company here with lots of shopsmith and woodworking nuts! Got a tip? Throw it/them at us! We'll see if it sticks!

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