Shopsmith Forums

Just bought a 10e for 25 bucks! Couldn't believe someone was getting rid of it for that cheap. I was hoping the community had some information about the history of the machine. The serial number is 18715. I was told by a friend it could be from the early 50s or late 40s? Thanks for the info in advance!

Wcdonich,

First off welcome to the Shopsmith Forum.

Great buy at $25.

I believe I can help you with the information you are seeking. Model 10E serial number 18715 would likely have been made in 1948. Does that serial number have a letter prefix like ER-18715 or is it just 18715? That makes a difference in when and where it was made.

If everything that came with it is shown in the picture it is missing some parts/accessories. On main thing on that missing list would be the Wood Extension Table and bracket. If you are missing that table, it can be found and purchased used at online auctions. Most parts for the Model 10's must be found used. Some current accessories can still be used on the Model 10's like a lathe drive. I have three of the original 250 Shopsmith Model 10E's made (2 restored and 1 being restored) and can use a brand new Lathe Drive on it just as I can use the Lathe Drive that originally came with one of those 10E's on a brand new or my Mark 7. The Quill diameter as well as the 5/8" diameter reverse taper of the Spindle has remained unchanged through all these years. It appears that for some reason the Rip Fence is disassembled. If it has a problem and you do not have the Wood Extension Table I have a recommendation for replacements for them. It is an upgrade from the original Wood Extension Table and Rip Fence.

There is a wealth of information here on the Forum website about fixing, restoring, using and history of the Shopsmith Model 10E and 10ER besides all Shopsmith tools. For the history see the Topic Shopsmith Model 10's What When and Where that is in the Community section and at the link below.

viewtopic.php?t=23647

At the top of the Repair and Maintenance section is the Topic Shopsmith Large Format Drawings, Illustrations and more. In the first post is a link to My Google Drive for Everett who has restored many Shopsmith documents including manuals. If you don't have an Owner's Guide for your Shopsmith Model 10E you can find a PDF copy there. Buying copies of manuals at online auctions is a waste of money since they are available for free elsewhere.

Continue to ask questions here and you will find members of the Forum happy to help.

Below is a Model 10E that I restored (S/N 19541) that is near the serial number of yours. It shows everything that was included as it came from the factory (motor optional) plus on a bench and with Lathe Chisels.

_ .
Your is great being on a bench using the Shopsmith Metal Bench Ends and the Retractable Castors.

Thank you for the reply Russ. My serial number doesn’t have a letter prefix. I did notice it was missing a few things like the chuck and the work holder for the headstock. Thanks for the heads up about using a modern lathe drive!

Yours not having a letter prefix to the serial number has it made in the Western Plant and a bit before the one I posted the picture of.

Drill Chucks are easy to find and can be a new one from Shopsmith or a used one like the one it originally came with. That would be a Jacobs 3326 1/2 Drill Chuck. The Arbor has a 5/8" threaded shaft for using Saw Blades, 8" diameter blade max., Dado Blades, buffing wheels, etc. Again, you can get a new from Shopsmith Molder Dado Arbor, formerly 5/8" Universal Arbor P/N 505506 or an older used 5/8" Arbor. As I just mentioned the Model 10E and 10ER used an 8" Saw Blade. These are easy to find and gives a bit more cutting depth than a common 7-1/4" Blade.

I'm not sure what you mean by "the work holder for the headstock." That term is just not registering this morning.

There is something attached to the Quill's Spindle, but I don't know what it is from the picture. It doesn't look like a normal Arbor.