Shopsmith Forums

hey folks -

New Shopsmith Mark V owner, here - from scenic Durango, Colorado.

I just picked up a vintage (331xxx) Mark V from yard sale for $200.

I needed a drill press - and was happy to find this tool for about the same price.

Looks like late 50s.

Generally pleased with the purchase - it included a saw guard, 8 Millers Falls chisels, and a jointer. Owner had the original manuals, too!

Spent the weekend taking the head apart, making sure it's clean and lubed. It looks fantastic. Looks like it has new belts, and new speed control - so the unit is good to go for awhile!

Most of my time with this unit will be for drilling. Will turn pens on it every now and then.

I don't plan on using the saw that much (I have a Ryobi BT 3000 that seems to work really well). Don't really plan on using the jointer, either (I have a vintage Rockwell/Delta that works great).

Contemplated shortening the unit by about 12-18 inches - would that modification be ill-advised?

durango wrote:hey folks -

New Shopsmith Mark V owner, here - from scenic Durango, Colorado.

I just picked up a vintage (331xxx) Mark V from yard sale for $200.

I needed a drill press - and was happy to find this tool for about the same price.

Looks like late 50s.

Generally pleased with the purchase - it included a saw guard, 8 Millers Falls chisels, and a jointer. Owner had the original manuals, too!

Spent the weekend taking the head apart, making sure it's clean and lubed. It looks fantastic. Looks like it has new belts, and new speed control - so the unit is good to go for awhile!

Most of my time with this unit will be for drilling. Will turn pens on it every now and then.

I don't plan on using the saw that much (I have a Ryobi BT 3000 that seems to work really well). Don't really plan on using the jointer, either (I have a vintage Rockwell/Delta that works great).

Contemplated shortening the unit by about 12-18 inches - would that modification be ill-advised?

That would make a nice pen lathe, but would limit the drill press height capacity.


331xxx = mid 50's = Greenie Mark 5 = gilmer drive(if not upgraded).

Welcome to the forum!!!

If you had two or more Shopsmiths, making a Shorty for turning pens would be something worth considering. Or, if it was too big to fit in the place allocated for it, then cutting it down would make sense. But, by cutting it down you would be limiting it's capacity as a drill press, as was mentioned by JPG, but you'll also limit it lathe turning capacity. If none of this matters, then go for it. Should things change down the road you'll only need another set of tubes to bring it back to full size.