New Guy

[MrDanB]

Picked up my first Shopsmith over the weekend. Got it from a neighbor for $125. Used my tractor bucket to go from the truck to the shop.
Now that it's here, I ran the s/n which looked to be a Mark 5 from 1979. I don't know if it's a 110, 500 etc. It has a Jacob's type chuck for drill bits and some kind of attachment for jointing small boards.
I'm wanting to set it up and service it first, then figure out what I need to buy and then try some small projects with it.
Things I'll be learning: turning projects, drill press, sanding wood and possibly a router.
I have 15 acres of mesquite trees here in central TX, so hoping I can build up something neat out of it at some point. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. I'm definitely willing to learn!

Thanks,
Dan

[JPG]

It precedes the Mark V 500/510/520.

It runs on 120v.

Judging from the vent plate, a thorough blowing out of the headstock interior would be a good first step.

Oh and welcome to the whatever this is!

[GetterDone]

Welcome to the Shopsmith world.

You will enjoy it.
This Forum is Full of Great information.

[chapmanruss]

Dan,

Welcome to the Shopsmith Forum and congratulations on your new to you Shopsmith purchase.

It is a Mark 5 from 1979 and more precisely May. The Jointer is also from 1979 in June. Your Mark 5 has the original Table/Fence/Carriage system which is the actual difference between the models. Some accessories from the Mark V 500 do not work on the other models and vice versa. The Mark 5 changed to the Mark V in 1980 (change from 5 to the Roman Numeral V only) and became the Model 500 with the introduction of the Mark V 510 & 505 in 1985. Although there have been many changes to the Mark 5/V since its introduction in 1954 the name change does not occur with any specific changes. The Table changing from having the extra saw blade slot to going back to without it occurred near the change from 5 to V. The use of Mark V occurs in the 1970's on printed materials and advertising while the tool itself had Mark 5 on the Vent/Serial Number Plate until 1980. That is part of the confusion of people calling it a Mark 5 or a Mark V. It's the same tool just a different way of expressing the 5/V's.

As JPG said a through clean out of the Headstock would be a good start judging by the dust on the Vent/Serial Number Plate. Follow that with lubricating the Headstock and waxing the bare metal parts.

Hopefully it came with at least the Owner's Manual and if you are lucky other reference books/materials. If you didn't get an Owner's Manual, I would suggest that be your first purchase. It is not necessary to get a 1979 Owner's Manual as a more current Mark V 500 Manual (P/N 845435 $29.99 from Shopsmith) will have even more information that the original from 1979. Do get a Mark V 500 manual and not the other models as set up and alignments are different for the different table systems. There was a combined 500/510 manual at one time and if you are looking at used manuals that would work too. The Maintenance and Alignment section of the newer manual goes more in-depth into servicing the Shopsmith. Don't bother with buying a copy of a manual as those are generally available as a PDF for free somewhere on the internet or are an illegal copyright infringement of Shopsmith manuals and should not be supported.

It sounds like you already have a good plan in setting it up, servicing it and then learning how to use it. We are happy to help you with that goal.

[edma194]

Welcome your new obsession MrDanB!

Your machine looks pretty clean. 1979 machines are fairly young compared to the upgraded 1953 Shopsmith I still use. As JPG suggests you should blow/vacuum out the headstock. A lot of sawdust may have gathered there over the years. Start by removing the belt cover on the left side of the headstock. With that off you can see the condition of the belts and other components. Also remove the nameplate that covers an inspection hole on the back of the headstock, it's attached with a spring clip. This will help in cleaning and once you have cleaned the interior you could go ahead and lube the split sheaves (pulleys) that provide you with variable speed.

With those covers off you can see how the speed control moves the sheaves closer together or further apart by turning the speed dial on the front of the headstock. Rotate the main spindle at the same time to prevent the belts from binding in the sheaves. Mounting the 12" sanding disk on the main spindle gives you an easy way to rotate it. If you didn't get a 12" sanding disk you should find one. It provides the machine with a lot of functionality, functionality mostly missing from other disk sanding machines.

Read your manuals, ask questions here, find YouTube videos about Shopsmiths (but ignore a guy named Malecki). Make sawdust, have fun.

[MrDanB]

Wow! I knew I found the right place. Y'all are great. A manual purchase or download is going to happen today. I'm about to fire up the compressor and clean out the head stock today as well.
I see that the upper tubes are in decent shape and fairly clean, but the lower 2 have some rust. I want to tackle that next. After that would be checking the center of tailstock to center of head stock (example: where the 2 tools for turning would touch). See if alignment is ok between the two.
The only other items that came with it are a white plastic adapter and an Allen key. No books, other tools etc.
As I'm looking online for parts, there seems to be a big difference between SS Co, Ebay and local sites. If I'm patient, I think I can find a deal locally.
Thanks again for the info and hospitable welcome
Dan

[JPG]

Since the bench tubes are not affected by that light rust, IIWM, I would put off addressing that until later(after becoming more acquainted with the SS).

So you DO have the tailstock.(and tool rest?)

[MrDanB]

Unfortunately, no tailstock. Funny you posted this JPG, as I just got done blowing out the head stock and lubed a few drops of oil by the outer sheave. Next, I cleaned up the top 2 tubes and put a light coating of carnuba wax. Made a big difference in how everything slides. I used CLR and a green 3m scratch pad on the lower tubes. Then 60 grit, 120 and finished with 500. Once it looked and felt smooth, I waxed them.
I've downloaded the Mark V 500 manual. I believe I need to buy a tail stock piece, 2 piece tool rest, live center and cupped piece and a beginners set of chisels for turning. I know I want a 12" sander tool and a table saw attachment tool. I have some "stand alone" pieces that can get me by for now. Probably just going to read for a while and learn and watch for deals... Thanks again for the help!

[edflorence]

Hi Mr DanB...Welcome to the Forum

Along with the appropriate manual, you will also find that a book called "Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone" by R.J. DeCristoforo will be very useful in getting to know what your machine is capable of. There are a number of editions of the book, and they would all be helpful, but I believe the one that is age-appropriate for your 500 is this one:

PTWFE.jpg (9.39 KiB) Viewed 42365 times

Used copies readily available online for well under $10.

[JPG]

Any mark "x" tailstock will do! Model 10... NO!
Any mark x tool rest assembly will work. A version specific assembly has the shorter arm.


Table saw attachment tool??? You mean a rip fence? You need the NON-510/520/505 vesion.

A miter gauge would be handy - any Mark x will work.