Dating a Mark 5 by it's serial number.

[MidwestPreacher]

Hey, noob here. Poked around for quite a while and have now jumped in.

Have an opportunity to purchase a Mark 5. Everything on it still works but it really needs a lot of TLC and elbow grease! Serial number says 17407. How do I find a date of manufacture for this one. The price is right. I've poked around but can't seem to find a post about this. Closest one said the number might not be a serial number but date code. So, how can I tell the difference?? Thanks for the add too.

[JPG]

Not a date code.

What color is it?(green/gold-brown-copper/gray).

A pix would help.

[edflorence]

Hi Midwest Preacher;

Here is a chart that gives serial numbers and approximate dates, but it does not seem to help with identifying the date of your machine. JPG is correct, more information and a picture or two would help.

Screenshot 2023-07-01 171026.jpg (218.53 KiB) Viewed 21200 times

[chapmanruss]

Thanks, Ed, for jumping in with the chart. Moving had me off line for a few days.

MidwestPreacher,

To be a correct serial number of 17407 it should be preceded by SS and 17407. An example of that type of Vent Cover Plate with serial number is shown below.

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early SS serial number.jpg (233.92 KiB) Viewed 21150 times

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As for when SS17407 was made I would estimate that as mid to late 1977. JPG asked what color it is which should be gray.

[bgstraughan]

I can’t seem to find the year of my Shopsmith Mark V.
These are the numbers -
Serial number 091890
Model number 555160
I’ve had trouble taking the table off. I get it to the top, but it won’t lift off. So I’ve been looking online and I haven’t seen any hints on how to do it smoothly, thinking it might be something related to the model but no luck.
I’ve loosened it so the crank does absolutely nothing but I still can’t lift it out.
Just bought a Oneway Talon chuck so I’m trying to set up to the lathe again.
Hopefully somebody has an idea?

[jsburger]

The serial number is a date code. The machine was built on Sep 18 1990.

[JPG]

It is sorta heavy!

[DLB]

I’ve had trouble taking the table off. I get it to the top, but it won’t lift off. So I’ve been looking online and I haven’t seen any hints on how to do it smoothly, thinking it might be something related to the model but no luck.

As jpg said, it's a bit heavy. Also a slight misalignment of the table tubes causes a bit of binding when the rack disengages from the pinion. These will be a bit harder going in and out, but shouldn't be as difficult as you describe. I have heard of owners adding a stop near the bottom of the table tubes, look for a machine screw of something similar. Inspect the rack, especially near the bottoms of the tubes, for anything that might be causing it to bind before disengaging. Consider taking some pictures and starting a new thread. Also let us know if this is a Model 500 or earlier Vs. Model 510 or later carriage/table system.

When you say 'the crank does absolutely nothing' does that mean it has reached the point where the rack and pinion have disengaged, you continue to spin the crank but the table has gone up as far as it can? Normal behavior at that point is that the table and tubes kind of bounce up and down off the rack gear, making an annoying noise and vibration, and should re-engage in you turn the crank in the table-down direction.

- David

[chapmanruss]

bgstraughan,

Your Mark V should have a sticker like the one below that has your Serial Number 091890 and Model Number 555160 on it. All Marks with this sticker are ones having date codes. The Vent Cover Plate shown in my previous post shows an actual Serial Number.

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070589 Mark V Escondido CA_c.jpg (105.96 KiB) Viewed 19564 times

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The Model Number listed is kind of irrelevant. I have seen quite a few different Model Numbers listed on those stickers and do not know what the relationship any given one has to the actual Model of the Mark V it is be it the 500, 510/505, 520 or 520S. The important difference between the Models of the Mark V is the Table/Fence system and related parts. Below are the different models of the Mark V.

The Mark V 500 AKA Mark 5. It is the original Table/Fence system dating back to the introduction of the Mark 5 in 1954.

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Mark V Model 500 i.jpg (11.94 KiB) Viewed 19564 times

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The Mark V 510 is below. It has a larger Table System including Floating Tables and added "T" Tracks to the table and fence.

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Mark V Model 510.jpg (12.65 KiB) Viewed 19564 times

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Below is the Mark V 505. It is the same Table System as the Mark V 510 but without the Floating Tables and related connector tubes and legs.

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Mark V Model 505.jpg (13.32 KiB) Viewed 19564 times

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Below is the Mark V 520. It has the larger Tables of the 510 but includes the Pro Fence System. The Mark V 520S is the same as the 520 but now has the Double Tilt Bench Ends like the Mark 7.

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Mark V Model 520.jpg (12.21 KiB) Viewed 19564 times

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As for getting the Table out of the Carriage is there possibly a "mushroomed" table post end keeping it from coming out? David covered pretty much the other possible causes. Once the Table is raised high enough to disengage the Carriage Pinions it should lift out.

[bgstraughan]

The serial number is a date code. The machine was built on Sep 18 1990.

Thank you very much, that is something that is so obvious now but surprised how it went over my head before.