Brand New Shopsmith Owner

[wholeshoe]

All

I purchased a shopsmith off from craigslist. I believe it is a MarkV without the extra floating tables. The SN is 211769.

It appears to have very little use.

I am green into woodworking and I have a router and table with a jigsaw and circular saw. Then I saw the shopsmith and it has all I think I need to get a good start.

I got the manual with it and it has a textbook of lessons in it to explore the shopsmith.

I guess my main question is where does one start? I would suspose with the alignment checking that is in the manual but then what do I make. Please remember I am new to this woodworking thing.

Also I dont have a blade guard for the tablesaw. That concerns me. Can I fab one or buy a used one?

Thanks,

Wholeshoe

[tmillie]

I just got mine this weekend from Craigslist also....

Here is a link to the serial number lookup, http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/serialnumber.htm

I don't see yours listed here, so it could be like mine from the 60's or early 70's

The guys on here are awesome, do you have a picture, that would help us/them determine the age...

I'd subscribe to Wood Magazine, it's my favorite woodworking publication, they also put on what they call the Woodworking Shows all over the country, that's very helpful also...

There is so much information out there, my dad is a woodworker, so I was introduced to it at a young age. Good move on the shopsmith...

Good luck and have fun!

[wholeshoe]

I will take some tomorrow during lunch. I am excited but I dont want to jump in over my head.

[dusty]

All

I purchased a shopsmith off from craigslist. I believe it is a MarkV without the extra floating tables. The SN is 211769.

It appears to have very little use.

I am green into woodworking and I have a router and table with a jigsaw and circular saw. Then I saw the shopsmith and it has all I think I need to get a good start.

I got the manual with it and it has a textbook of lessons in it to explore the shopsmith.

I guess my main question is where does one start? I would suspose with the alignment checking that is in the manual but then what do I make. Please remember I am new to this woodworking thing.

Also I dont have a blade guard for the tablesaw. That concerns me. Can I fab one or buy a used one?

Thanks,

Wholeshoe
Congratulations on your new Mark V and welcome to the forum. I am certain that you will enjoy the time you spend with your machine. I certainly do.

Serial number 211769 - I think that was manufactured in the Nov-Dec 1985 time frame. If I am correct, it is gray in color and is lightly textured (sort of like sand in the paint). I think it will have the two bearing quill, the poly-V belt system and a 1 1/8 hp motor.

If I am incorrect in any of my conclusions, you will be rightly informed very soon I am sure. Just wait for the consensus report. These guys on this forum are good, they won't let me misinform you.

Whatever it is, clean and lubricate the puppy. Align it according to the documentation that you received and go make some saw dust.

Once again, welcome.

[wholeshoe]

Is all of what you said about my machine good?? It does have a grey crinkle finish.

Wholeshoe

[8iowa]

Apparently you have a model 500. I'll recommend the upgrade saw guard system 505875. It's a little pricey, but way cheaper than a detached finger. Using the saw guard is a good habit to develop. I've been using my Shopsmith for 26 years and can honestly saw that I've never even had a close call. I've upgraded two 500's with this system. It will also set you up to efficiently to collect dust, a more subtle health hazard.

One of the older editions of "Power tool Woodworking for Everyone", by R.J. DeCristoforo, covers virtually every aspect of the model 500's operation. Another great book is "Woodworking Wisdom" by Nick Engler. These books are easy to find on various internet book sources.

We're glad to have you aboard. Keep us posted.

[dusty]

Is all of what you said about my machine good?? It does have a grey crinkle finish.

Wholeshoe

Yes, it is all good, at least from this owner's point of view. There are upgrades that you could do but I personally believe it is far to soon for you to be considering upgrades unless you have money that just must be circulated.

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

I believe your machine is the first one pictured in the following link. The other two pictured are the units with upgraded table systems.

http://www.shopsmith.com/markvsite/purchaseNB.htm

[JPG40504]

Is all of what you said about my machine good?? It does have a grey crinkle finish.

Wholeshoe
ALL of what Dusty said is GOOD! The most important thing he said was about lubricating it! The relevant parts are the control sheave and motor sheave. According to the resident 'OLD' ShopSmith guru (Bill Mayo) the most often encountered problem encountered is LACK of proper lubrication of these parts. The second most observed condition is the excellent condition of those that HAVE had proper lubrication. The SS literature explains how to do this, but Bill recommends more oil on the control sheaves than the SS instructions.

If I were to add any advice, it would be to proceed slowly and not rush into anything. Get comfortable with it and BE SAFE.