Shopsmith Forums

I began the day thinking that I might start a new poll but I cannot because I don't understand the differences between various Shopsmith models.

Examples:

What are the differences between a Mark 5 and a Mark V?

How is a Mark V 510 different than a Mark V 510R?

I have a headstock (SN 152166) manufactured in 1987 that has a 1 1/8HP motor, Poly-V, 2 bearing quill and toggle switch mounted in a headstock that is painted Gray-Rough. I would consider this a late model 500 but it bears a 510R label.

At the same time, I see the main difference between a 500 and a 510 to be its table system.

i believe the "R" means it has been repaired/rebuilt by the shopsmith factory.

Dusty:

Years ago, late 80's I believe, when I upgraded my '83 vintage 500 to 510, Shopsmith gave me a new model # sticker that read "510R".

Most likely all of the 500's that were upgraded in that era also received that sticker. They of course would have the type "B" headstock.

This was an at home upgrade. I didn't send the 500 back to the factory.

dusty wrote:I began the day thinking that I might start a new poll but I cannot because I don't understand the differences between various Shopsmith models.

Examples:

What are the differences between a Mark 5 and a Mark V?

How is a Mark V 510 different than a Mark V 510R?

I have a headstock (SN 152166) manufactured in 1987 that has a 1 1/8HP motor, Poly-V, 2 bearing quill and toggle switch mounted in a headstock that is painted Gray-Rough. I would consider this a late model 500 but it bears a 510R label.

At the same time, I see the main difference between a 500 and a 510 to be its table system.

Dusty,
I was wondering the same thing then a couple of days ago I found the following URL on one of MickeyD's posts:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/Mast ... 8-08r2.pdf

It takes awhile to load but is pretty informative.

Edit: On second view it relates info primarily re: table systems.

I just have a bunch of Shopsmiths...
I'll double check the numbers if I need to order something.

JPG Brain dump: ...............................................[NOT a TOTAL dump:D]

Mark 5
--------------------------------------------------------------Magna Engineering
.............Greenie(sand cast headstock) [A headstock]
.............internal movable sheaves speed control 700 - 5200 rpm
.............3/4 hp motor
.............Gilmer belt
.............Quill splines mesh directly with main shaft
.............9" Saw
.............12" aluminum sanding disc
.............rubber spt coupling(metal ends)
.............fence rail cast in table front(both main and aux table)
.............1 7/8" bench tubes
.............toggle switch
.............stop release behind switch(stops just above saw speed-must depress to set higher speed)
.............Belt cover has eight screws.

..............Greenie(die cast headstock)
..............stop release replaced with 'anti'rattle' spring(You can feel the increased tension above saw speed)
..............Belt cover screws reduced to two.

..............The groove in the back of the indicator dial is for the 'stop release' and newer spring.

--------------------------------------------------------------Yuba Power Products

..............Goldie(same as later greenie)

--------------------------------------------------------------Magna American

..............Goldie(aka Brownie)
..............1 1/8 hp motor
..............poly-v belt
..............Quill shaft splines changed (in?creased to 13)
..............Quill shaft to main shaft coupler added
..............Zytel(nylon?) spt coupler
..............Main table front rail replaced with extrusion-aux still cast in table
..............Bench tubes now 1 3/4" Same as way tubes.


..............Smooth gray
..............I believe these were the last Mark 5's produced by Magna American,
..............but that is a deduction, and may not indeed be fact.

=================================================

Mark V

------------------------------------------------------------Shopsmith, Inc.

.............There have been 1978 vintage Mark V with a wrinkled dark gray paint.

.............."Splattered" gray(?)
..............Again a deduction here
..............10" Saw
..............Steel sanding disc

500/505/510

..............With the introduction of the Model 510 fence/rail(tube) system,
..............the model 500 designation was given to the original Mark V.
..............The 505 designation was given to a 'stripped' down 510(no floating tables/tubes)
Later 'enhancements'
2 bearing quill introduced(1984)
C headstock introduced (1991)

520

..............Replaced the tubular table rails with extruded box shaped rails
..............Replaced fence with larger 520 version

Later enhancement
Idler shaft redesigned to include 2 'standard' bearings replacing the earlier modified water pump bearing.

Other enhancements
Redesigned '500' fence similar to 510 (slot on top) and separate rear clamp lever
Miter gauge safety grip redesigned with quick release adjustment
Wider auxillary table with front extrusion for 500 (essentially a 510/520 floating table with 500 rail.)

Power Pro

.............Replaced movable sheave power train with DVR Motor with poly-v belt drive(2)
.............Speed range now 250 - 10,000 rpm
.............Greatly increased the utility of the speed control with interactive speed decision making

Many of the accessories(etc.) were black oxidized rather than the earlier unfinished steel.

This is an initial attempt to summarize the differences as I either understand it or have concluded indirectly.
There may be errors of omission or of fact.
I would appreciate(solicit) pertinent additions/corrections. I will make them.

After starting this I realized this may be "hi-jacking' the thread, but started it with better intentions. At that point I had created so much of it I did not wish to 'recreate' it elsewhere. So if it be hi-jacking, I apologize!

You got into the differences a lot deeper than I was thinking but that is good. Thank you.

The one area where we don't seem to be in harmony is with late version 500s. I believe the last configuration of 500s were first released in 1984 and they were painted rough gray and contained two bearing quills.

510R means that it started life as a 500 and was "retrofitted " and brought up to a 510. That label came with my 510 upgrade kit.
Bill V

dusty wrote:You got into the differences a lot deeper than I was thinking but that is good. Thank you.

The one area where we don't seem to be in harmony is with late version 500s. I believe the last configuration of 500s were first released in 1984 and they were painted rough gray and contained two bearing quills.

This is an area that is confusing on the ss web site. An item specifying rough texture is referring to the need to have a poly-v drive. That obviously refers to the quill upgrade. Hmm that brings up the quill spline variation.

The gray paint texture and whether Magna-American produced a smooth gray version is a deduced point. I would like to hear from anyone who has a Magna-American non-Goldie machine re color/texture. Also anyone who has a SS Inc produced unit which has other than the gray/rough(splattered) texture.

JPG40504 wrote:This is an area that is confusing on the ss web site. An item specifying rough texture is referring to the need to have a poly-v drive. That obviously refers to the quill upgrade. Hmm that brings up the quill spline variation.

The gray paint texture and whether Magna-American produced a smooth gray version is a deduced point. I would like to hear from anyone who has a Magna-American non-Goldie machine re color/texture. Also anyone who has a SS Inc produced unit which has other than the gray/rough(splattered) texture.

I brought a complete Shopsmith S/N 2448 painted in a crinkled dark grey finish about 8 years ago. I got it from the original buyer who brought it new in 1978. A beautiful new looking paint job that had not chipped or faded at the time I owned it. I sold it before before I realized how unique was this Shopsmith and its finish. Only one I have seen with this finish.