Shopsmith Forums

I just purchased a very used SS Mk V from 1981. I am looking to find out what attachments are best and I am building a rolling cabinet to hold it. One of the casters is broken and I need to maximize storage space. I need to go through the manual, but it was stored out in a shed and got wet. I don't know how much is still legible. It came with a plywood blade that seems quite dull and the table lock is missing so it bottoms out when I put anything on it. I came with the blade guard in a box and I cant figure out how it fits. I'm taking 00 steel wool to the pipes and thinking about painting it hot rod red to match my craftsman tool boxes.

invaderjim wrote:I just purchased a very used SS Mk V from 1981. I am looking to find out what attachments are best and I am building a rolling cabinet to hold it. One of the casters is broken and I need to maximize storage space. I need to go through the manual, but it was stored out in a shed and got wet. I don't know how much is still legible. It came with a plywood blade that seems quite dull and the table lock is missing so it bottoms out when I put anything on it. I came with the blade guard in a box and I cant figure out how it fits. I'm taking 00 steel wool to the pipes and thinking about painting it hot rod red to match my craftsman tool boxes.

Very Interesting. Can we be of any help?

Think paste wax for any sliding surfaces. As far as the parts you need, everything is available from Shopsmith. Reccomendations on attachments..well, I got everything I could. The old jigsaws are excellent espcially since they can function a couple ways. Of course, the bandsaw and jointer are absolute. I just got a belt sander and I'm thrilled with it. There is no end to the things you can do with these machines, from tailstock inserts (all are Morse Taper 2 so any MT2 arbor will fit which brodens the attachments to include MT2 extensions, sleeves, live and dead centers etc) to the router chucks (which accept milling cutters with 1/4 and 1/2 diameter shanks).
Get a catalog and drool.

"from tailstock inserts (all are Morse Taper 2 so any MT2 arbor will fit which brodens the attachments to include MT2 extensions, sleeves, live and dead centers etc)"

Thanks for the feedback, but I have no idea what you just said. JPG- Im just looking for tips and tricks. like that wax for the tubes. Also any lead on used parts. I get outbid on everything on ebay. Jigsaw, bandsaw, jointer, sander, even an arbor and knob kit slipped through. I'm a full time student on the GI Bill. I cant afford to go all out on this thing. Believe me, if I had the $$$ I would. My big thing right now is to make modular shelves (I take the wall bracket style form Lowe's and cut off the hooks for the wire self) I also want to make those cool cantilever shelves and a stand for a 180 gallon fish tank.

I thought you were looking for attachment reccomendations.

As a fellow newby, I'm finding that the Shopsmith website, and the Sawdust Sessions videos by Nick Engler are worth their weight in gold. I acquired a 'Greenie' that belonged to a friend's father, and have been learning how to service and use it by watching the videos and searching these forums.

There are a lot of helpful people and an awful lot of experience that can be shared, so just take it easy and do your homework. You should be able to get a new manual and replacement parts from Shopsmith if you need one, but continue to watch eBay for parts and instructions as well. They do seem to go for pretty good prices, but it's nice that so many parts are available for these machines.

Now, if I could only find another Silver and Red Craftsman tool chest to match mine from the 60s!

beeg wrote:The wax wood be Johnson Paste wax, the ORIGINAL formula. Careful on ebay, I hear ya can spend MORE for used, than for NEW from SS.

Lately that has been getting worse. Always check the ss (new) price first. Now as for those items no longer sold by SS.....

I do not recall if anyone has mentioned the #1 Rule - Do NOT adjust the speed control unless the shafts are turning under either motor or manual power.

I am looking for attachment tips, but I just don't know what those things you listed actually mean. I will begin cross-referencing SS catalog with the ebay prices. I'm especially looking for the tools to do exacting work. I think the pusher is bent because I can't get a 90 degree cut out of it.

OH, yeah, the motor when it is spun up to Saw/Joint speed slows down every time I run wood into it. I have to do it in increments of about a 1/2 inch. Is this normal? Or am I getting exactly my $150 worth.