Shopsmith Mark 2 Compatibility

[mcontini]

I have a 1957 Shopsmith Mark 2 that I shopped for and bought with my dad when I was 7 years old. He passed away years ago and I kept it, use it, and hope to pass it on to my son. The fence and miter both fell recently and broke. I would either like to replace them if I can find them, or better yet, upgrade the table with a rack & pinion. What Shopsmith model fence, miter, and/or rack & pinion tables are compatible with the Mark 2. Also, has Shopsmith closed all of its retail stores. If not, where is the nearest one to me (my address is below)

[chapmanruss]

Here is what I have posted before about the Shopsmith Mark 2

1958 to 1960 Mark 2 (5-in-1)

Introduced in December of 1957 by Magna Power Tool Corporation. This unit was made at Montgomery Ward’s request and sold primarily by them. It was not made to the same quality standards as the Mark 5 and was a lower cost alternative while still providing the same five functions. It has an 8” saw blade capacity instead of the 9” saw blade of the Mark 5 at the time. The Mark 2 uses a ½ HP or optional ¾ HP motor while the Mark 5 had a ¾ HP motor that later changed to a 1-1/8 HP motor. It uses two 2-step pulleys (a 2”/3” and a 3”/4”) to change the 7 speeds much like the Model 10E and 10ER instead of the variable speed of the Mark 5. The Way Tubes are shorter at 48” long. An interesting feature of the Mark 2 is the Headrest which is a pin-able version of the Base and Arm which functions much like the newer Mark 7 Double Tilt feature. It has lower quality locks to hold the headstock, carriage, etc. in place. They work like the locks found on the Model 10’s but are made of lower quality materials and finish. It has an extra saw blade slot on the main table (a feature added to the Mark 5 in the 1960’s and 1970’s). Some Mark 2’s have round metal bench tubes while others have rounded top rails made out of wood to connect the bench ends and legs together. It could be purchased with or without the bench. Instructions included making your own wood bench. The Miter looks similar but is different than the Mark 5’s as it has no angle stops and a shorter bar without the lock to hold it in place in the table slot. It has a narrow step shape extension table that creates its own fence and serves as the tailstock with a small block attachment. There are very few individual parts that are interchangeable with the Mark 5. The Mark 5 Headstock will fit on the Mark 2 frame. Even the table system can be changed to the Mark V or 7’s. The Mark 2 can also hold and power Add-a-tools later known as Special Purpose Tools made for the Mark 5/V’s and Mark VII/7’s. It has only one hub for powering SPT’s so different length posts may be needed for some SPT’s. It started out with the “Greenie” colors and later changed to gray.

At the time of its introduction the Mark 2 was priced at $179.90 (less bench and motor) compared to the Mark 5 at $329.50. The Bench legs with tubes cost $19.95 and the ½ HP motor was $34.95 making the total for a Mark 2 to be comparably equipped to the Mark 5 at $234.80 and still considerably less than the Mark 5.

The Mark 2 works more like it’s a Model 10 trying to look more like a Mark 5.

At some point it was sold with a Wards Powr-Kraft label replacing the Shopsmith logo/serial number plate.

As for your situation the Miter Slot in the Table is the same as the Mark 5 and can use a Mark 5/V Miter. The Mark 2 Miter looks a lot like a Mark 5 one but without the angle stops, no locking in the table slot and a shorter bar. Since the Table is different the Fence is shorter for the Mark 2. The Way Tube spacing is the same between the Mark 2 and the Mark 5 so you can replace the Mark 2 Table/Carriage assembly with a Mark 5 one. If you do change you will want to change the Lathe Tool Rest Assembly to have a Mark 5 post. I have a second Mark 2 waiting to be restored and because of damage to the Fence Rail on the Table and the Fence being cracked I have a Mark 5 Table to replace the Mark 2 parts. The spacing on the base and headrest of the Mark 2 for mounting the Extension Table and SPT's is the same so you can use a Mark 5 Extension Table and Tailstock on a Mark 2.

Shopsmith no longer has any retail stores.

[mcontini]

Thanks for your quick reply. I think I'll upgrade to the Mark V table and carriage, fence and miter if I can find them. Also, would the Mark 510 or 520 setup for these also work on the Mark 2. I really appreciate your guidance. (I tried aluminum welding the broken fence and it seems secure, but I don't trust it since it was my first welding with aluminum. Steel is much easier to weld.)

[JPG]

So after the table etc. upgrade, is the headstock next?

[chapmanruss]

Just like the Mark 5/V 500 original Table System which can fit on a Mark 2 so can the Mark V 510/505 & 520 as long as you change the complete Table System.

JPG's comment of

So after the table etc. upgrade, is the headstock next?

This begs the question of how far you might go upgrading your Mark 2. If you want to have the capabilities of the larger table systems, you might consider watching for a complete Mark V 510/505 or 520 in your area. That may not be much more than buying the used parts for the 510 or 520 Table System to put on your Mark 2. Patients can help there. A few years ago, I purchased a 2006 Mark V 505 with a Bandsaw for $500 which was nearly complete with what it originally came with from the factory. The Mark V frame is much sturdier than the Mark 2 and the Headstock has more power and the variable speed. You can keep the Mark 2 more original as a sentimental piece and be happier using the Mark V. The Mark 2 I have restored is a usable tool, but I would not use it over my Mark 7 or Mark V 520. In fact, I would use my Model 10ER before the Mark 2.

[JPG]

It likely would be a tolerable drill press.

[chapmanruss]

mcontini,

I am not trying to change your mind on making your dad's Mark 2 more useable. I am simply trying to point out options. To keep it original can be difficult as Mark 2 parts do not come up for sale very often. Currently on ebay there are only some of the locking handles for sale. I purchased the two Mark 2's I have locally over two years apart and was able to restore one completely with all the accessories it originally came with. The other will have to use some Mark 5 parts to make it workable again. Table and Fence damage along with missing parts and the lack of finding replacements (without having to buy another semi-complete tool) make restoring a Mark 2 to its original condition very difficult.

There are some things you can do to make your Mark 2 better. I mentioned the Bench not being very stable in my previous post. The picture below shows a common problem.

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legs separating.jpg (64.92 KiB) Viewed 2386 times

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This can be improved upon if you have the Mark 2 Retractable Casters to help maintain the leg spacing or add something to the lower end of them to keep them properly spaced. The Mark 2 Retractable Casters are the same, as seen in the picture below, as the ones for the Mark 5/V and 7 except they are a bit shorter front to back.

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85959 Restored.jpg (163.38 KiB) Viewed 2386 times