Shopsmith Forums

Hi everyone,

I have just taken possession of my father's Shopsmith. He passed away in 2008, and I finally got around to making a spot for it in my basement and getting it over to my place. My father had acquired this from our neighbor after her husband passed away in the early 80's (but I am not sure if he was the original owner or not).

From looking around online and checking the Serial # (290705), I found out this unit was manufactured in 1955 and was made by Magna, and it's labeled Mark 5. I have the original manual, and based on reviewing it I have managed to track down everything that would have come with it originally except the drive center and the cup center (luckily two of the cheaper things to lose it appears).

I also found a few extras like an additional custom-machined aluminum sanding disc and a small 4" round disc that looks to be for turning bowls on the lathe. I think my Dad's step-father may have made these as he was a machinist. I see my Dad had acquired a standard sized arbor for it so he could use some of the blades he already had. I found 3 Shopsmith brand blades (two 9" and a 10") while I was hunting around, too.

A few questions as I've read around online over the last couple of days:

1. I remember my Dad's only real complaint about this thing was the size of the table. After testing it out a bit today making some sawdust, I can see what he meant. Are the table upgrades available on the website compatible with this model? I'm interesting in adding one, but got sticker shock when I saw the prices.
2. The manual was printed in 1954 and is only 31 pages long. I see they have a manual for the Mark V 500 that is almost 100 pages long available for purchase. Would this be meaningful, or is the 500 "too new" and this would not be helpful? I'm just wondering what could be there that might be more informative than what I already have, if anything.
3. There is absolutely no saw guard on this thing, top or bottom. My Dad had made something for the bottom that fits over a 7" blade that catches sawdust really well and can even be hooked up to the shop vac, but if I want to use a blade larger than 7" then I'm going to have a real mess in the basement. It looks like the bottom guard that is available for purchase for a 500 won't work on this one, based on the serial number.
4. Any other tips or suggestions?

As I noted above, I fired it up today and made some sawdust for a while (my 7-year-old son was quite excited watching from across the basement). It ran smoothly and everything seems to be in order. I have not opened it up yet to check the drive belts. I wouldn't be surprised if they are the originals though, as I know my Dad was not running this thing much and I don't think he ever replaced them while he owned it. I'm not sure how much use the previous owner had on it. I found a few maintenance articles I am going to read up on before I start running it seriously, just to be safe.

Any tips or ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Gary

Gary, Welcome to the forum! I can guarantee you (based on personal experience) that all of your questions will be answered in a definitive manner. These guys know their stuff!!

I'll let the real experts chime in with sure answers, but had to comment as I recently bought a Shopsmith after being over 10 years without one (a sad time in my life). Mine is also a '55 Magna Mark V, #292248 (their practically twins!). It didn't really need it, but since I didn't know it's history, I took it apart and cleaned it up good, having to replace only the bearing in the single-bearing quill.

My "greenie":
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=5449

I bought a 500 safety guard set on ebay that works find on my old machine. The beauty of a Shopsmith is designed-in compatibility.

Again, congrats. Stay tuned for the real experts to chime in.

Ben in northwest Arkansas

Welcome! I don't have a lot of info, but everything you need to know will be here pretty quick. You will get lubrication and waxing instructions, alignment and safety tips. ( don't turn the speed dial without turning the headstock on or turning it manually). And more ways to remove rust that you ever imagined! Get your camera out, you will be asked for pictures. Great group of guys, ready willing and able to help.

Welcome to the Shopsmith family.

Take the time to visit the "sawdust sessions" on this site, especially those involving maintenance and alignment.

When purchased in '83, my shopsmith was a model 500. I found that the front table extension (part #505626) was very useful in compensating for the small table. I also made a fence extension out of plywood, with a "lip" on the infeed and outfeed to help support longer stock. A good roller stand, like Rockler's Heavy Duty "flip top" stand (Rockler's #43399) will also aid considerably when ripping long boards.

Many older machines no longer have the upper and lower saw guards. If your's are missing, this is a must investment. Good luck and keep us posted - send pictures.

Gary,

Welcome to the forum! I inherited my dad's 1962 Goldie and despite several years of misgivings about the Shopsmith before I acquired it, I have fallen in love with this thing. It's a piece of Americana.

Being relatively new to the Shopsmith, I can't offer much but I do have a few links that are probably a good idea to visit.

1. First, mickyd's catalog of repair discussions on this forum. The Sawdust Sessions are the second bullet and walk you through cleaning and lubricating the headstock. Also, check out Mike's restoration on his 1955 Greenie. Other than replacing the belts and checking the condition of the bearings, I'd say oiling the beast is your first priority. My machine was loaded with sawdust so it's a good idea to crack open the headstock soon.
2. As for the saw guards, I don't have any either. They didn't come as standard equipment, as people had a different view of shop safety back then. You know: pre-litigious America. However, I know they are sold on eBay from time to time. You'll find quite a few items like the lathe centers there.
3. On the subject of the lathe, the 3" plate and the aluminum sanding disc are probably Shopsmith equipment that came standard (we would need pictures to verify ).
4. The size of the table is an often discussed and beleaguered component. It is small compared to many of today's table saws but that's partly because of the space factor the Shopsmith was designed for. The size makes it easily stored in a corner when you are using another function. I too choked on the upgrade price. You can get a used 510 for that price but people that have it love it. Still, an outfeed table or roller should help and there are lots of ideas for those here too.
5. As for the manual, I have several editions of the original manuals and have thumbed through a newer version. For what it's worth, I am of the opinion that the new manual doesn't add enough value for a vintage owner to justify purchase, but they are available used. The older manuals are more concise. Besides, I think you'll find everything you'll need here and it's searchable by keyword. I HIGHLY recommend acquiring a copy of "Power Tool Woodworking for Everyone" as it has much user information in it and a lot of great ideas for jigs and homemade accessories.

Oh, here's Nick Engler's disassembly and cleaning instructions.

All the best.

The lathe cup center is the one for the right side when spindle turning. When I ordered a replacement, the SS Customer service rep recommended a live center, also. The live center rotates with the stock being turned and doesn't make as deep of an impression in the stock. The cup center holds the stock together when you get close to a 5/8" diameter turning that goes ALL THE WAY OUT to the end of the stock. The cup center doesn't rotate and it won't nick your lathe chisel if you touch it when turning the very end. Normally, you add lenght to the stock and cut of the excess off , waste, when you complete the turning. Both the cup center and the live center have essential attributes and are useful for different applications.

The spur drive, has a number of equivalents, including the screw drive and the four jaw chuck. See PTWFE for details.

dlbristol wrote:...Get your camera out, you will be asked for pictures...

Pulled my other new toy out tonight and shot a picture of her. Next to it you can see the Craftsman toolbox I inherited from my wife's grandfather. Love the toolbox...they don't make 'em like that any more.

I've looked through some of the restoration photos in the forum and am pretty happy about the shape she is in. My Dad always maintained his tools well. I believe most of the chipped paint on the headstock was like that when he acquired it, as he was always pretty careful about taking good care of his toys.

After I get her checked out my first project is going to be to build a small workbench. I don't have a lot of space left in my corner and I want to get that miter saw and scroll saw off the floor. I'm going to put wheels on the workbench so I can slide everything out of the way when it's not in use.

Thanks,

Gary

wow. that really has been well cared for. it seems on my grays that there is always some rust on the inside of the legs when I got them. I think that it comes from where sawdust has clung and held moisture.

iclark wrote:wow. that really has been well cared for. it seems on my grays that there is always some rust on the inside of the legs when I got them. I think that it comes from where sawdust has clung and held moisture.

Now there's an explanation we have not heard b4!

Yes that is one good looking greenie!

Welcome to the forum!

iclark wrote:wow. that really has been well cared for. it seems on my grays that there is always some rust on the inside of the legs when I got them. I think that it comes from where sawdust has clung and held moisture.

I second the motion.

That is in beautiful condition! You're dad did a great job!