Shopsmith Forums

The story is I just bought my shopsmith at a local thrift store for 150 bucks. I want to know how to tell which model I have. It seems fairly old, but it all works remarkably well.

Here is a picture of it:


I joined this forum to learn about my tool. I know nothing about it really, except for what it is supposed to do.

jook13 wrote:The story is I just bought my shopsmith at a local thrift store for 150 bucks. I want to know how to tell which model I have. It seems fairly old, but it all works remarkably well.

Here is a picture of it:


I joined this forum to learn about my tool. I know nothing about it really, except for what it is supposed to do.

It is a ShopSmith 10E or 10ER. This is the original shopsmith model.

Did it come with any other 'parts'? Like a table, rip fence, miter gauge, . . .?

That was a fast response.

It did come with a bunch of attachments. They include:

Table
Table extention
Fence
Disc sander with extra discs
Some sort of guard for the saw attachment
A saw blade with the chuck (I think its called the chuck)

It is missing both ends for the lathe function, but that is fine I can buy them (5/8 plain right?). I also need a new belt, but that is no big deal.

To give an idea of my experience with wood working, I am a framer, and fairly young at 26. I dont have much experience with fine woodworking beyond doing baseboard and casing out doors and windows. I can work wonders with a skill saw, sawzall, and belt sander, but I want to learn to do more elegant woodwork.

edit: Fortgot to say. Thanks for the responses and help!

jook13 wrote:That was a fast response.

It did come with a bunch of attachments. They include:

Table
Table extention
Fence
Disc sander with extra discs
Some sort of guard for the saw attachment
A saw blade with the chuck (I think its called the chuck)

It is missing both ends for the lathe function, but that is fine I can buy them (5/8 plain right?). I also need a new belt, but that is no big deal.

To give an idea of my experience with wood working, I am a framer, and fairly young at 26. I dont have much experience with fine woodworking beyond doing baseboard and casing out doors and windows. I can work wonders with a skill saw, sawzall, and belt sander, but I want to learn to do more elegant woodwork.

edit: Fortgot to say. Thanks for the responses and help!

If a saw blade mounts on it it is called an ARBOR. I believe you are correct in regard to the lath spur for the spindle, but do not think the tailstock will work unless it is a 10 e/r part. A 10 e/r expert needed to definitively answer that.

Hi and welcome to the forum!

You have a nice project machine to begin with. At a minimum the two tubes will need to be cleaned up so things will slide... without having seen the other parts it is hard to say what else needs some work.

I just picked up one of these 10er a few months back and while I am far from an expert on them I did enjoy have one to look at and play with. They are indeed a neat machine!!

I have since delivered it to my brother but as was mentioned you will want to visit this site and sign up (it is free):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shopsmith10ERusers/

They have plenty of documents to download and perhaps print out that will be a big help to you. They also have a LOT of 10er users (many with several machines) to help guide you on the mechanics of the machine.

You might want to start checking for a copy of the 1953 "Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone" which provides plenty of information on set-ups and uses of that version of the machine.

The tail stock takes a MT2 center and drive end is a 5/8", they are essentially same as the ones that are currently sold by shopsmith.

Ed

It says it has a 1/2 horse power motor. Are the motors universal? Would a new 2 hsp motor work with this? I am very interested in restoring this thing.

Everything slides quite smoothly. I used a little bit of white lightning (bike chain lubricant that is wax based) and it works wonders.

To tell the truth I was wanting to buy a lathe but I have a small budget seeing as how I average between 15 and 20 hours a week at my job now and I need to feed my wife and 3 kids. I was considering buying a harbor freight special for around $120. I saw this at my thrift store and was intrigued. I asked to see if I could plug it in and test it, and they said yes. It all worked well so I had to make a decision. Do I get this old heavy machine or buy a cheap new one. You can see what I chose.

Now it is time to learn about my machine. I love the internet.

jook13 wrote:It says it has a 1/2 horse power motor. Are the motors universal? Would a new 2 hsp motor work with this? I am very interested in restoring this thing.

Everything slides quite smoothly. I used a little bit of white lightning (bike chain lubricant that is wax based) and it works wonders.

To tell the truth I was wanting to buy a lathe but I have a small budget seeing as how I average between 15 and 20 hours a week at my job now and I need to feed my wife and 3 kids. I was considering buying a harbor freight special for around $120. I saw this at my thrift store and was intrigued. I asked to see if I could plug it in and test it, and they said yes. It all worked well so I had to make a decision. Do I get this old heavy machine or buy a cheap new one. You can see what I chose.

Now it is time to learn about my machine. I love the internet.

No question you made the right choice, but it will take some time/work to get it in good operating condition. At some point you need to consider the way tubes. There are several threads dealing with rust removal and polishing the way tubes. It really makes a difference in not only appearance, but in how it performs(slides).

Unless you already have a 2 HP motor AND it is the size to fit(Shaft and mounting) for the time being I would wait and use the present motor.

jook13 wrote:The story is I just bought my shopsmith at a local thrift store for 150 bucks. I want to know how to tell which model I have. It seems fairly old, but it all works remarkably well.

To determine your model, look at the round red plate on the headstock. The serial number will be stamped on the bottom. Directly on either side of the serial number, you'll see either model 10E (Experimental) or 10ER (Experimental Revised).

p.s. You got a GOOD DEAL. Hopefully, member heathicus won't see this thread. He'll slice his wrists. He has a hard time finding them at a good price.

mickyd: Thanks so much! It is a 10er. I was just looking through your thread on how you were restoring your machine and it is truly inspirational. I dont have the resources you have, but I am sure I can turn this into a lean and mean good working piece of equipment.

I have seen more than one of these shop smiths at this thrift store. If people are interested I could let you guys know if and when I see another for sale. I have seen them range from 50 to 150 bucks.