Shopsmith Forums

Hello everyone,
I just bought a Shopsmith 10er that was apparently made in 1952. It was pretty rusty and in dire need of cleaning and painting. I almost have it cleaned up and painted, then I will put it together this week. I have always wanted a shopsmith but never thought I would own one. I have many other woodworking tools in my small shop. (16'X20')
I just found another Shopsmith on Craigslist at a very good price and it is a 10e. The owner says it has no rust, works well and he has been using it as a horizontal boring machine. I asked if any parts are missing and he said he didn't know much about it, but it works for the boring he has been doing and it does have a table for sawing. I forgot to ask why he is selling it but I am very tempted to go and get it. It is a little over an hour away from me.
Are there many differences between a 10e and 10er? I really don't have room for it but I hate to pass up a bargain. I would imagine I can sell whichever one I don't choose to keep but I am having a hard time deciding because I don't know what it looks like. He said he doesn't know how to post pictures, but will try tonight. Are the parts interchangeable with a 10er? My shop isn't really big enough for one shopsmith, let alone two. But I am very tempted to get it.
I know this is very long for my first post but I guess I am looking for reasons to buy my second shopsmith. lol. Tim.

timsturnings wrote:Hello everyone,
I just bought a Shopsmith 10er that was apparently made in 1952. It was pretty rusty and in dire need of cleaning and painting. I almost have it cleaned up and painted, then I will put it together this week. I have always wanted a shopsmith but never thought I would own one. I have many other woodworking tools in my small shop. (16'X20')
I just found another Shopsmith on Craigslist at a very good price and it is a 10e. The owner says it has no rust, works well and he has been using it as a horizontal boring machine. I asked if any parts are missing and he said he didn't know much about it, but it works for the boring he has been doing and it does have a table for sawing. I forgot to ask why he is selling it but I am very tempted to go and get it. It is a little over an hour away from me.
Are there many differences between a 10e and 10er? I really don't have room for it but I hate to pass up a bargain. I would imagine I can sell whichever one I don't choose to keep but I am having a hard time deciding because I don't know what it looks like. He said he doesn't know how to post pictures, but will try tonight. Are the parts interchangeable with a 10er? My shop isn't really big enough for one shopsmith, let alone two. But I am very tempted to get it.
I know this is very long for my first post but I guess I am looking for reasons to buy my second shopsmith. lol. Tim.

Although there are differences between the 10E and 10ER, there are also differences between 10ERs. It evolved through the years of production.

That said most things are compatible and will fit either model. The 10E tail stock and 10E extension table must be paired, and the 10ER tail stock and 10ER extension table(s) must be paired.

Other than those, all attachments are 'interchangeable' or identical. IIRC:rolleyes:

Here is a list of 10ER vs 10E features.

There are differences because of upgrades over the years but the quality
of the machines is excellent through the whole range. All parts will
interchange but some must be changed as a unit like the table trunnion
and table tiebar, the tail stock and extension table brackets and the
wedge locks and handles. Here is a list I put together with the changes
and approximate dates. Keep in mind that many owners upgraded their 10E
machines with some or all of the upgrades as they came out so your
machine may or may not have the features listed. This is an ongoing
process so I'm sure there are points I haven't yet discovered .
Skip Campbell Modurator & Owner of Yahoo Group Shopsmith10ERusers
Ft. Worth, Texas
10ER #R51683 1951

Nov. 8, 1947
~Magna 10E Shopsmith introduced at Montgomery ward stores
~nation wide and in their catalog.

Early to mid 1948
~Hole in headstock casting behind logo plate
~stop rod collar changed from cast iron to cast aluminum
~quill with machined groove for gage collar mount.

Late 1948
10ER introduced with the following revisions:
~table trunnion with detents at 45 and 90° and corresponding table tiebar
~tailstock with groove for new extension table
~chrome quill spring housing and depth gage
~rip fence with rear lock
~miter gage upgrade with spring button and detents
~table raiser arm and crank (replaced optional 10E table raiser)
~belt/pulley guard wider skirt and flat top for more saw clearance

1949
~Jigsaw and other accessories added
~no machine changes that I can tell.

Oct. 1950
~new manual but I don't see any changes

Jan, 1951
~vertical lock knob, from alum. knob to steel (101-12x to 101-10?)
~tailstock lock knob, from alum knob to cap screw (pic chg, same #)

April 1951:
~Solid saw guard (replaced the one with open slots in the sides)
~sanding disc (upgraded with extra support ribs)
~knurled hubs on the quill pinion shaft
~pivot base footprint change to shorten required bench length.
~raiser crank? part number change (103-40x to 103-39x)
~tool rest arm, set screw moved to center line
~vertical lock screw, part number change (101-12x to 101-10)
~tailstock locking knob, part # chg. same pic (104-7RX to 104-9)

Feb 1952
~One piece wedge locks to fix sticking problem
~Longer extension table bracket


Sept 1952
~New manual (I don't' have a copy of this one)

Feb 1953
~hollow table support tubes
~thin way tubes
~part numbers changed to 4 digit format

Thank you for your responses. They are very informative. I have made up my mind and have contacted the seller and a helper (bro-in-law) to go and look at and probably buy the Shopsmith 10e tonight. I really don't know why, since I just got my first Shopsmith 10er last week. I have that one almost ready to re-assemble.
But it sure is fun to clean and paint the tool. I am looking forward to trying it/them out. Although I have no idea how I will be able to make room in my small shop (16'X20').
Thanks again, Tim.
(I do plan on posting a picture of my machine/s when I finish my restorations.)

check this thread out, it explains it all as far as the addictive nature old these old beasties.
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=8862

I always say the only thing better than a Shopsmith is multiple Shopsmiths! And they are great for a small shop. Think about it... with two Shopsmiths, you have two table saws, two drill presses, two lathes, two disc sanders, etc. All in not much more space than a couple of bicycles take up. As you add another Shopsmith, your flexibility and capabilities increase exponentially.

heathicus wrote:I always say the only thing better than a Shopsmith is multiple Shopsmiths! And they are great for a small shop. Think about it... with two Shopsmiths, you have two table saws, two drill presses, two lathes, two disc sanders, etc. All in not much more space than a couple of bicycles take up. As you add another Shopsmith, your flexibility and capabilities increase exponentially.

Although a casual naysayer may observe that having multiple jacks of all trades machines is the same as having narrow functioned jacks that take up more space, they overlook the duplicity possible and its advantage.

Thank you heathicus and others. I know the saying goes "the more the merrier", lol. But now I will have two shopsmiths AND a stand alone full-sized table saw, bandsaw, disc sander, drill press, etc. All in my 16'X20' shop.

My brother-in-law doesn't understand why I like tools so much but he is going to help me anyway.

I definitely can see what everyone says that owning Shopsmiths is addictive. I just hope I don't look at tools for sale for awhile and especially Craigslist.

Have a great day all, I know I will. We are leaving to pick up my Shopsmith 10e to sit beside my refurbished Shopsmith 10er (when I put it back together) at about 4:15 this afternoon and I know I will have a good evening. Probably won't sleep tonight though. lol
Tim.

I have owned 7 Mark 5s over 28 years ..

A business neighbor just GAVE me a 10ER -- just BEAUTIFUL condition ..

A lot of parts - the scroll saw and the miter extension, and stuff I can't identify ..

I did like the 11 turning tools -- several by Disston and an old Buck skew .

After pushing this to our storage unit on mediocre casters - I thought "Why stay attached to the Mark V?

I have updated mine to current - ( I don't have or need the Pro table or mods ) and been fairly certain that he buyer of my parts was going to keep using the tools ..

I used to use a loggers belt to hold a 30 inch stub off a walnut tree to hold the ShopSmith down -- I have turned many 20" irregular pieces ..

The wooden base is so well done - and the "footprint" is similar .. why not just keep the 10 er -- and retire the old "Lady" .. probably 2500 hrs of turning ..

AND - the horizontal boring capability can never be understated -- surely the second most useful feature of the Mark 5 - and 10 ER ..

by the way, I lost a finger to the SS 4" joiner .. my fault totally ..

I just got a terrific Jet mini -- and had no idea how much the noise interfered with my joy of turning .. no more Mark 5 for turning .. so ????