Shopsmith Forums

Short Background: I have been spending time and money the last few years trying to figure out what my Retirement life looks like. I figure while I have an income, some energy, and some mobility I should start now trying to figure out some hobbies that will keep my out of the wife's hair. I retired from the US Army in 2014, after some time in Colorado Springs we relocated to Idaho, the Boise Area (her home). In 2021 we jumped across the border to Oregon to a much larger farm (125 Acres). Last year we decided retirement did not include a large working farm. So we are in the process of selling this place and looking for our forever home (hopefully).

Skillsets: I think I am pretty handy, I can frame a house or building, I can do some or most handyman type stuff, BUT I steer clear of things I am not an expert in (playing in the fuse box, involved plumbing, etc.). Can I maybe sure but I would rather not. I am learning blacksmithing, welding, and how to use a furnace to melt metals. I am starting my journey in finer wood working skills.

My ShopSmith:
I bought a Goldie. I assume from 1961. SN: 371509. I may have overpaid ($700) BUT I really just wanted a ShopSmith (I am impatient). I bought this one because it looked like it had been taken care of AND it has a few attachments that I really wanted. I have a table saw and a miter Saw so I doubt I will ever use the Table saw. This ShopSmith has the bandsaw and belt sander, a bonus was the jigsaw. In the pictures you can see one of the previous owners built a very nice shelf for the attachments. There are so many parts and stuff, it is overwhelming. Unfortunately there is no manual, books , course material or anything with it.

My Goals:
I would first like to make sure the machine is working properly.
I would like to figure out what all these parts are and how to use them successfully.
I have Russ's post I will print and see what I can identify from this mess of stuff.

My main use for the shopsmith will be bandsaw and jigsaw stuff, and belt and disc sanding stuff.
The learning how to use the lather will be a fund adventure but is not a primary driver. Also I will have to get some carving tools.




Would the attachment serial numbers make a difference with the ShopSmith authenticity? Meaning a classic car with matching serial numbers is worth much more than one that does not.

Is this a Mark V 500?
I want to try and find the correct user manual.


I started out on the forum reading the 13 pages for the NewOwner Information Thread.

I find it frustrating that the shopsmith.com has reformatted their website layout breaking many of the links posted here.

Such as FAQ, or any page that was shopsmith.com/ownership (or something like that)

BTW: I ordered Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone, it will be here next week.

First, Welcome. IMHO you got yer $$$$ worth.

First ? is it a poly-v drive or a gilmer drive. :I am guessing a poly-v drive.

Model wise it is simply a Mark 5 with a "B" headstock and is a goldie/brownie. The Mark V 500 was introduced two decades later. Truth be told, other than color, they are essentially the same.

The current PTWFE will be somewhat different from your Mark 5. An earlier edition will be closer to what you have. Regardless you will benefit from the one you are waiting for.

JPG,
Thank you for the quick response.

I will have to check if is it a poly-v drive or a gilmer drive.

I went ahead and downloaded the manual from Everett Davis Google drive site he listed. 1955 Shopsmith Mark 5 Owners Guide

Now I need to find manuals for the rest of the items, but that's a start.



What does PTWFE stand for? is there an acronyms list somewhere? 8-)

Thank you

PTWFE= Power Tool Woodworking For Everyone

Army,

Your Mark 5 serial number 371509 was made in May of 1961. That is after both the change to the 1-1/8 HP Motor and the Poly V Drive.

The Owner's Guide you downloaded from Everett's Google Drive is for an earlier Mark 5 having the 3/4 HP Motor and the Clutched Gilmer Drive. Operations will be the same, but parts will be different especially in the Headstock. Maintenance needs will also be pretty much the same such as lubricating the movable Sheaves of the Motor and Idler Shafts. If you desire more information in a manual, you can get a later Mark V 500 manual which will have less differences than the one you now have. Later manuals included more detailed information than the early 1950's and 1960's manuals.

In the pictures you posted, the Goldie Mark 5 looks like it has been well cared for and possibly restored at some point. It appears the Jointer, Jig Saw, Belt Sander and Bandsaw were later additions as those SPT's are painted gray. Any gray painted items are from later in the 1960's until current. I did notice parts for the Scroll Saw in the pictures and there are non-Shopsmith parts mixed in too which is a common occurrence.

As for the book Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone the third edition, date unknown, but is from 1973 or later would be the closest edition for your Mark 5. A picture of the cover is below. The previous edition (second) was done in 1955 and with the Mark 5 Greenie having the lower HP Motor and no extra Main Table Saw Blade Slot. The revised (1984) and fourth (1989 and revised current) editions don't have the extra Main Table Slot and the 1989 edition starts to include the Larger Table System of the Mark V 510. I have found these older editions for just a few dollars for sale online. The edition you do not want is the first edition from 1953 that features using the Shopsmith Model 10ER.

_ .
If you need help identifying parts or accessories post a picture of just ones you cannot identify and we can help identify them.

AHH PTWFE= Power Tool Woodworking For Everyone - That makes sense.. Thank you John and Mary

Russ, that you for the detailed info.

Yeah the parts are overwhelming but I did notice a few that did not belong to shopsmith like a pocket hole jig.

I am going out to get info on the belt sander, I need to check if there was a fence and the push stick.



The book I ordered was the 1984 edition, I will check online I would like to have the closer edition.

I will do some digging to see if I can find the user manual that matches my machine.

thank you all for helping me along.

ArmySoldier72 wrote: Sat Apr 12, 2025 2:51 pm The book I ordered was the 1984 edition, I will check online I would like to have the closer edition.

If you ordered from Amazon, my experience was that what's pictured in an Amazon listing isn't necessarily what you will get. I had to send back a couple before I got the one that was actually pictured....

The 1989 version of PTWFE can be downloaded for free from the Shopsmith Manuals & Information page. I have hard copies of older versions, haven't looked at this latest one to see what differences there are.