Shopsmith Forums

Can anyone tell me how the SS caster wheels & lift/drop mechanism has evolved over the decades? Or are they all the same?

Three(4?) variations come to mind.

First the model 10 version which mounts to the legs differently from the Mark 5/V/7/4 version.

Then the Mark 5/V version which has two versions differing in the position of the foot pedal. Initially it was closer to the end.

Currently the Mark V/7/4 camshaft is retained with screws.

The cam action is the same on all of them.




Then there was the Mark VII version(a different concept but the cam action remains the same).


Not included here were variations of how the cams attach to the cam shaft(pins/set screws).

JPG has listed all but one Retractable Caster version that I know of. There was a shorter (front to back of the bench) by about an inch set made for the Mark 2. Other than being shorter it is the same as the Mark 5 Retractable Caster set. The more recent and important change, I feel, is the one JPG listed as quoted below.

Then the Mark 5/V version which has two versions differing in the position of the foot pedal. Initially it was closer to the end.

The earlier Retractable Caster sets (shown below) made from the beginning of the Mark 5 in 1954 had the Foot Pedal closer to the end which interferes with the 3" caster upgrade.

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Below is the later Retractable Caster set for the Mark 5/V's, Mark 7 and Mark 4. Notice the placement of the Foot Pedal.

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In the picture below you can see the Retractable Casters for the Model 10's. They could be mounted to the Metal Bench Ends sold by Magna to make a bench with 2" x 8" boards as seen in the picture below.

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These Retractable Casters were designed to also bolt on the wood legs of the Bench Magna included plans for that came with the Model 10's.

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In the picture below you can see the Retractable Casters mounted on my Mark 2. Although hard to tell from the picture they are shorter front to back.

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