Shopsmith Forums

There is a Mark V for sale in my area that has a speed control problem. The motor runs but the dial will not turn at all. It looks to be in good condition otherwise. There is no rust or corrosion I could see but the the tubes do appear to have been cleaned with some sort of abrasive in the past.

The only significant accessory with it is a lathe duplicator that looks to be unused. The lathe duplicator is my primary reason for going to look at it. The seller is not interested in selling it separately.

What would be a fair price to offer for this assuming the speed control not working? Assuming a worst case condition.

Really hard to say with only the information given. A Mark V could be a primo 520 and then again it could be an abused Mark 5 from the early fifties.

A Mark V with a speed control problem could be fixed with a "clean and lubricate" routine but then again, it might be in need of a serious rebuild.

If I was looking for that combination, I would go there with $300-$400 in my pocket and plan to come home with a Mark V in the truck and money in my pocket. Good Luck.

As Dusty said it could be just a lubrication problem that is causing the speed control to bind up. However if both shafts turn when the motor is turned on and the sheave still won't move I don't believe that more oil will correct the problem. The old oil may be so gunked up that I would tear the machine down and do a thorough cleaning and check out. With the right purchase price and minimal investment in parts you might even make a few bucks in the process. I would try for $100 to $125 due to the problems.
Bill V

The Mark V is 500, Its gray so probably not a 1950s model.

I've asked the seller for the serial number.

Most speed control problems I have seen in the half dozen or so MArk V's I have are a result of users neglecting to clean out the headstock & do the required lubrication. I was given a Greenie because the speed dial wouldn't turn. Why? It was because the dial is made of potted metal and there is a small gear potted metal gear that will break in a heartbeat if you try to turn the speed control without the motor running or if it hasn't been cleaned or lubed, you will encounter this problem. My honest opinion is the speed control which can be removed with a 3/32 Allen wrench- I think- is shot. There is a guy who will for $16 will machine that old potted metal gear and press in a steel gear and you won't have that problem again.

I defer though to experts like Bill Mayo on the forum and others who have many more years experience than I on working on headstocks. I just completed a Power Pro upgrade and no longer have a use for my speed control. Where do you live? I honestly believe many of the forum members would be happy to help you as would I.

The speed control handle (p/n 504229) is one of the 17 most ordered parts listed here: http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/part ... dparts.htm

In the most common issues is this:
Problem:Speed dial is difficult to turn. Fix: Oil sheaves. Check speed control quadrant assembly for lubrication.
http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/part ... oblems.htm

But like I said the chances are the gear on the back of the speed control is worn as a result of poor maintenance. But frankly, I would buy that Shopsmith in a heartbeat as I know it will be easy to correct. Jacob Anderson sells headstock rebuilding DVDs on Ebay. Here is a link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Repair-your-Sho ... 3192wt_966

I've got all of his videos and Jacob has done a good job of addressing all the issues you might encounter with rebuilding a headstock. It is quite simple. In fact, if you go to his web site, you'll see all that he does. I'm not sure if Bill is doing any rebuilding right now.

Honestly, there are not all that many parts inside a headstock. I've gone as far as disassembling the motors and replacing every bearing in the headstock & quill. You want to have a double bearing quill. It gave me an excuse to but a press for my shop.

I have had Mark V's given to me with the problem your's has- a 1955 Greenie <smile> The last one I bought with a problem where the motor wouldn't turn on, I paid $150 for back in 2007. Turns out the problem was the Shopsmith was in a storage place and the outlet must of been dead as it powered right up when I turned it on at home.

I have a lathe duplicator that I bought separately off of Ebay. Deals can be had on Ebay, but better deals can be had on Craig's list. What is the guy asking for? You might point out you are taking a risk in having to have your headstock rebuilt by Shopsmith. Shopsmith probably charges the most, but there are many rebuilders who will make that baby sing like a new born baby. Shopsmith charges $80 per hour plus parts. The parts can be expensive, but some parts are only available from Shopsmith. The refurbished speed control in 2007 was only $16 and all you did was mailed your worn speed control and you'd received a modified speed control back with a gear that would never strip. But you must do the maintenance- i.e. keep the inside clean and the parts lubricated that must be lubricated.

Here is Jacob's website: http://www.jacobs-repairshop.com/my_web_site_002.htm Give him a call. The most expensive part I'm afraid will be the shipping as the headstocks are heavy. That is the reason I do my own work. There are people all over the country who I believe do this type of work and you might find someone close by to you where you can simply drive & drop off your headstock & drive back when it's done or maybe you can wait. But that I don't know for a fact.

Where do you live?

backhertz wrote: Where do you live?

His Location: Tallahassee FL

The serial number is 157130. Looks like it was made in 1983.

Seems to me from watching evil-bay and the forums that these things go pretty cheap down in Florida, so I'd be reluctant to offer much, pointing out that it will probably take you several hours to truly go thru the machine and fix not only the control problem but other possible problems associated with it. I'm in agreement on the $100 - $200 range, unless he has ALL the accessories and other STPs to go with it.

There are no special purpose tools with it unless you count the lathe duplicator as an SPT. What I'm really after is the lathe duplicator.

rlkeeney wrote:There are no special purpose tools with it unless you count the lathe duplicator as an SPT. What I'm really after is the lathe duplicator.

That being the case then, anything less than $462 is a fair price. You would have the lathe duplicator and a Mark 5 that is worth something. The more the Mark 5 is worth, the better the deal for you.

The real question is "How much is it worth to you"? Anything less than that is fair.