Shopsmith Forums

Howdy ya'all...

new to shopsmith... got this machine... need some help in ID the model number... I think it's a Mark V 500 series but not sure... Serial number is 261487

THAT LOOKS TO BE A CLEAN GREENIE!
ShopSmith has a serial number listing on their site for the build date info.
UMMM the link is right above these words.
That one sems alittle low, check that the 1 isn't actually a 7.

wiredone wrote:THAT LOOKS TO BE A CLEAN GREENIE!
ShopSmith has a serial number listing on their site for the build date info.
UMMM the link is right above these words.
That one sems alittle low, check that the 1 isn't actually a 7.

That's what I thought to looking at the ShopSmith website... but here it is... Would really appreciate any help!

You definitely have an early model but it sure looks to be in EXCELLENT condition. I sure hope the original owner kept it lubricated.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/faq/markv.htm

Your serial number predates the info on this chart.

It took me a few minutes to see the Shopsmith in that first picture. Nice ride!

The Shopsmith is a Mark 5, model 500. The "500" only indicates the table options. There's also 505, 510, and 520 - the differences are just in the tables. In fact, when your unit was made, I don't think there was a "500" designation. It was just a "Mark 5" and was the only option available.

There is also a distinction between the Mark 5 and Mark V designations. The Shopsmith product/brand has gone through several owners (Magna Engineering Corp, Yuba Power Products, Magna American Corp, and now Shopsmith, Inc.). "Mark 5" was the name before the current owners. When Shopsmith, Inc. was formed in the early 70's and started production back, they changed it to the "Mark V."

(Side note: Ironically, back in the 60's there was the Mark 5 and the Mark VII models. Now, there's the Mark V and the new Mark 7. Why didn't Magna use European numerals on both products? Why didn't Shopsmith, Inc. use Roman numerals on both products?)

Dusty... Thank you for your response... I'm a little confused... if I predate the chart then it would be pre 1953 but the company started in 1953???

Heathicus... Nice catch on the Mark "5" vs Mark "V"... I was just interchanging the two... Actually I'm very cool with it being early model unit, I have strong appreciation for "Old Stuff" that works and from what I've been able to test so far.... she hums right along. Would sure like to nail down production date! I need to order a correct owners manual so I can get part numbers to complete the resurrection of this unit!

I've noticed that most carriage units have a dial knob, and mine does not.. in fact, part of my quest is to find out the part number of what I believe would be the handle that would be used to raise and lower the table... see photo below:



Also, to use a tool rest for the lathe, do I just remove the table from this carriage and insert the tool rest into it? Sorry for all the dumb questions... trying to figure this all out without a owners manual is a challenge...


While I can build a car from the ground up, don't know squat about woodworking! LOL

Fortunately, the vast majority of the machine you have is nearly identical to the newer machines. There are some minor differences here and there - motor power, quill and drive system in the headstock, etc.

Here's an exploded view for the model 500 carriage (which can be seen here):



Item #167 is the handle you need. Looking at the part number list (here), you can see the Shopsmith part number is 513058 and it costs $7.17.

You can buy a manual from Shopsmith. In the meantime, check out the Model 500 pages of the Service And Repair Parts section of the web site. There are more exploded views and diagrams there that should help you out a lot. When I first got my used Mark V, I found it helpful to print them out, study them, and have them on hand as I did my restoration.

What kind of bike is that in the background?

athomas01 wrote:Dusty... Thank you for your response... I'm a little confused... if I predate the chart then it would be pre 1953 but the company started in 1953???

Heathicus... Nice catch on the Mark "5" vs Mark "V"... I was just interchanging the two... Actually I'm very cool with it being early model unit, I have strong appreciation for "Old Stuff" that works and from what I've been able to test so far.... she hums right along. Would sure like to nail down production date! I need to order a correct owners manual so I can get part numbers to complete the resurrection of this unit!

I've noticed that most carriage units have a dial knob, and mine does not.. in fact, part of my quest is to find out the part number of what I believe would be the handle that would be used to raise and lower the table... see photo below:



Also, to use a tool rest for the lathe, do I just remove the table from this carriage and insert the tool rest into it? Sorry for all the dumb questions... trying to figure this all out without a owners manual is a challenge...


While I can build a car from the ground up, don't know squat about woodworking! LOL

The serial number charts are not always clear and concise. About all that you can be certain of is that you own a very, very early Model 500 that is in very, very good external condition and that if the innards are not equally good they can be made to be.

You have a Mark 5 to be proud of.

The green paint on the headstock, however, does appear in the pictures to have a texture that is not the same as the older machines. Your machine may have been repainted. Other owners, who have greenies, will be able invalidate that comment if necessary.

athomas01 wrote:if I predate the chart then it would be pre 1953 but the company started in 1953???

I need to order a correct owners manual so I can get part numbers to complete the resurrection of this unit!
LOL

I wood think ya got one of the FIRST Mark 5's made.

No the company started about 1947, but changed from the ER's to the Mark 5 in 1953.

A manual won't do ya to much good for parts numbers, since they probably have changed since then. BUT the ref# numbers and name of part may be the same. Here's an example. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/partscat/carriageassembly_500.htm

Heathicus and Dusty!!! Thank for all the help! Handle, MARK V Maintenance Packet Gilmer supplement, and MARK V 500 Manual are on order for the Old Mark 5... (FYI.. The people at Shopsmith said I have a very early 1953 unit) so guess that is falling in line with the option you fellows have).

After looking at the carriage for tabletop, I suspect that is not the carriage I need for the tool rest... You guys got info on that? I couldn't locate it...

FYI, My first attempted project will be making new wood spokes for my 1923 Ford Model T I've foolishly started to restore... (already have more money into it than it's worth... LOL)