Shopsmith Forums

is not quite as old as I was very recently led to believe. At least not according to my collection of Shopsmith catalogs.

I very, very recently met an individual, who has been around for a long time in the Shopsmith world, who almost had me convinced that the Mark V Lift Assist is an old, old accessory; an accessory that never got full booking (just a small picture) in the catalog.

After about a one hour search of my old catalogs, I am here to reaffirm that the Mark V Lift Assist is a relatively new accessory. I knew that I could not have missed it in the catalogs for all these many years.

For some reason, I do not have a copy of the 2004 Catalog. That is a year that I relocated so I suspect that whoever took over my mail box in El Paso, Tx must have it. That said, I cannot speak for 2004. The first mention of the Mark V Lift Assist (in my documentation) is in the 2005 Catalog.

This gentleman, had he been a car salesman, would have been named "Used Car Salesman of the Year" for sure.

I seem to remember it being advertised before 1997.
But then, I don't remember much of anything before 1997.

Gene Howe wrote:I seem to remember it being advertised before 1997.
But then, I don't remember much of anything before 1997.

It might have been available but I cannot find it in the catalogs that I have predating 2004.

Someone please correct me if I am mistaken. I may need to apologize to my car dealer.

dusty wrote:It might have been available but I cannot find it in the catalogs that I have predating 2004.

Someone please correct me if I am mistaken. I may need to apologize to my car dealer.

I suspect you will desire to nominate him for snow job of the year guy:p Jim

fjimp wrote:I suspect you will desire to nominate him for snow job of the year guy:p Jim

MY MY MY I wonder who he can be?:D

I have copies of the March 2008 - sale flyer.

On page 5 the Mark V Lift-Assist was priced at a mere $144.49

However, the Shopsmith Spring/Summer 1983 Catalog does not list a Mark V Lift-Assist.

Just a passing thought, I remember on the internet someone once showing plans concerning how to build one using automotive type gas trunk lift struts?

I dug out my old saved catalogs of the era and I do not find it before 2005.

The what I expect was the last catalog of the year, 2004 Holiday Edition doesn't have it.

So I would go with it being introduced in 2005 in the catalogs, of course the "store" or trade show offerings might have it "pre" the catalogs.

Ed

reible wrote:I dug out my old saved catalogs of the era and I do not find it before 2005.

The what I expect was the last catalog of the year, 2004 Holiday Edition doesn't have it.

So I would go with it being introduced in 2005 in the catalogs, of course the "store" or trade show offerings might have it "pre" the catalogs.

Ed

I purchased my 520 at a Demo in Charlottesville early in 2005. I have in my memory the lift assist was introduced shortly after I took delivery. My catalog seems to back up my recollection. Now that is a really scary thought. Jim