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Just got a used Shopsmith...
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 5:11 pm
by marqcogan
I just picked up a "greenie" Mark V. The serial number dates it to January 1956. It looks like it has the tailstock, table, aux table, a whole bunch of saw blades (but only two arbors, I think), miter gauge (but no safety grip), fence, and tool rest. The owner was also kind enough to throw in some Craftsman turning tools and a nice pair of mortise chisels. $125!
Anyhow, I'm new to these machines, so I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions. First of all, I'm pretty sure I don't have the sanding plate or (more importantly) the lathe drive center. Where's a good source for compatible replacements? How useable are general lathe accessories with this machine?
Second, the owner said that the drive system in the headstock had recently been upgraded or refurbished (she wasn't sure). How can I determine what was done and how my headstock now differs from a "standard" 1956 Mark V headstock?
Lastly -- I don't have a manual, but I do have the '50s-vintage "power tool woodworking" book. Beyond the material that's in there, what recommended setup/adjustment work do you folks think I should do? The machine has been largely unused for ~20 years.
Thanks!
Mark
(Seattle, WA).
Quick Checks & Manual
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 6:49 pm
by allsas
You should get a current manual, it has current safety and setup procedures from SS - $29.00. There is a manual on line from Song of the Great Lakes, but saws were a lot simplier when that one was published.
Also, Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone is available online. It covers a lot of the procedures on SS's. Very complete and helpful from SS.
If Throat Plate is round at both ends, its a 500 table.
If underside of the upper belt has teeth, its a gilmer belt drive
I don't see a blade guard mentioned, so be careful.
The Reactivation file, in the signature, points to some of the help videos and my experience with a 1960 SS.
Welcome to the forum, SS, and ask if you have more ?.
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:00 pm
by JPG
marqcogan wrote:I just picked up a "greenie" Mark V. The serial number dates it to January 1956. It looks like it has the tailstock, table, aux table, a whole bunch of saw blades (but only two arbors, I think), miter gauge (but no safety grip), fence, and tool rest. The owner was also kind enough to throw in some Craftsman turning tools and a nice pair of mortise chisels. $125!
Anyhow, I'm new to these machines, so I'm sure I'll have a lot of questions. First of all, I'm pretty sure I don't have the sanding plate or (more importantly) the lathe drive center. Where's a good source for compatible replacements? How useable are general lathe accessories with this machine?
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... sories.htm
Second, the owner said that the drive system in the headstock had recently been upgraded or refurbished (she wasn't sure). How can I determine what was done and how my headstock now differs from a "standard" 1956 Mark V headstock?
Loosen the screws holding the belt cover and slide it off(to the left). Look at the pulley the belt is on. If you see v-grooves, it has been upgraded to a poly-v belt drive. If you see a 'cogged' pulley, it is 'original' 'Gilmer' belt drive. Look at the color of the quill(outer surface). If it is black-oxide color, then the quill has PROBABLY been upgraded to a two bearing quill. Last but not least is the possibility that the motor has been upgraded to a 1 1/8 HP version. The original had a 3/4 HP motor. Determining which requires dropping the motor housing to check the label on the motor.
Lastly -- I don't have a manual, but I do have the '50s-vintage "power tool woodworking" book. Beyond the material that's in there, what recommended setup/adjustment work do you folks think I should do? The machine has been largely unused for ~20 years.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... sindex.htm
Thanks!
Mark
(Seattle, WA).
...............
Posted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 7:40 pm
by mbcabinetmaker
Mark
Welcome to the forum. All my machines are gray but you are in good hands here on your greenie.
Glad to have you join.
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 3:14 pm
by marqcogan
Thanks for the info, folks.
Looks like I have the V-belt upgrade, but still a single-bearing quill. How pernicious an operation is swapping out the quill? And what are the benefits of the two-bearing quill?
I'll go ahead and get the manual, and probably some of the other missing parts (the drive centers and face plates for the lathe in particular). One thing that wasn't clear in the Shopsmith catalog online was what my options for adding blade guards are; this machine has none whatsoever.
I also have an auxiliary table for the saw, but it's not clear by what means it remains fixed at a given height. Am I missing some kind of clamp or ring?
Thanks,
Mark.
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 3:27 pm
by beeg
Looks like a 555294 or a 505875 will fit your MKV.
Is there a knurled thingie below and between the holes for the AUX table?
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/itemfind.htm?item=501286&Submit=Find+Item
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 3:54 pm
by marqcogan
Hmm.. the 555294 says it is for " Pre-2002 MARK V's with serial numbers below 222396"; my machine has a serial number in the 300000s.
The 505875 say it is "For older model MARK V's with aluminum Upper and Lower Saw Guards". I have no saw guards at all. Will this still work, or does it depend on existing hardware I don't have? (It's also half again what I paid for my Shopsmith, so I might wait a bit...)
As for the knurled thingie -- if you mean what's labelled #22 in the diagram, then, yes, I have that, but I don't see how I can fix the aux table in place with it. Otherwise I'll have to actually look and see.
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 5:04 pm
by beeg
YES, the numbers 11 and 22. Just turn them clockwise, and the studs should protrude into the holes. That's what will hold the aux tables.
Well you have a pre-2002 MKV and how much is YOUR safety worth? 
Call SS to make sure they will work on your machine, but I bet they will.