Another Shopsmith is resurrected

waow it surely looks good
and I don´t think you ever run out of freinds
I think there is around 21K right on the site
there would love to have a restored shopsmith
from you ….............LOL

take care
Dennis

Edit: but the pictures cuold be a little bigger they deserve it :-)

great job tom so nice to see that machine back in business.

-- Got Wood?

Nice work. She’ll still perform for you too!

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"

Looks great… I just helped my dad clean up his Mark 7 and was debating on whether or not to paint it. Looks like a new paint job makes a big difference and I like that you kept original color.

-- Dan - "Collector of Hand Planes"

Wow.Beautifully done Sir.Makes me want to repaint my 510.Thanks for the post.

That looks great! I wish the pictures were larger. How well do the lathes work on these machines?

I think they work fine. I have no point of reference as I’ve always had a Smith, but on the MK5’s you’ve got variable speed from 800 – 5200 rpm’s & 34” length. I think it’s 12” width, but I don’t turn bowls, so I’m not sure. You can put a face plate on the other side of the headstock & increase that diameter considerably.

Actually, I like the old model 10er’s for lathes as they are all cast iron & really heavy. Same capacity but unless you have a speedchanger option for variable speed, you get 3 speeds standard, 850,1725, 3450 which is still good enough for most work.

And they’re cheap. You should be able to find one for $75 – $150, depending on condition & completeness. Plus you get the drill press, horizontal borer, disc sander in the same space, among other things.
(The machines pictured in my out-of-date shop pics are 10er’s)
(can you tell that I like these things???)

-- Accuracy is not in your power tool, it's in you

I love to see new life for old machines

-- Bruce from Central New York...now, if you'll pardon me, I have some sawdust to make.

that’s really cool. I was thinking about this to use primarily as a dedicated lathe but secondarily as a rare specialized tool (I’ve been really impressed by the versatility). Thanks for the response!

Very nice!

I love the way the “goldies” look. Mine is much newer, so it’s the standard grey color. Someday I might try a custom paint job.

-- Altruism is, ultimately, self-serving

Great job on the restoration! It’s always nice to see a machine like this brought back to life. This speaks highly as for the quality of these machines. In reference for the question about how it functions as a lathe, I have a 520 built in the 90’s and use it in lathe mode all the time and have no complaints. I have the universal tool rest which adds to the weight of the machine and the only other lathes I have used are jet minis which had to have belts on the pulleys changed to change speed.

-- Ron from Lewisburg, TN

shopsmithtom-Great job on a great machine. I bought one of that same year MANY years ago and it is as new. I had the motor reworked at factory about 20 years ago and it has run like a “top” since. I have bandsaw and a duplicator for accessories and it has served me well. I use it nearly every day for some task. Keep up the good work and make others happy – they will love ya for it.
sahvings

Looks really nice with just the paint.

The paint on that machine just pop’s, and would look good in any shop.

It also looks solid and well built. Nice rebuild!!!!

-- Bob Kenosha Wi.

HokieMojo:

As a lathe, the Shopsmith can run from 700 to 5200 rpm, and has a 16” x 34” capacity. An optional accessory, the Universal Tool Rest, http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/l_univlathetoolrest.htm , offers a lot of advantages, especially for bowl turning. The extra 35 lbs to the machine also helps to add stability.

All of the lathe chuck manufacturers offer 5/8” adapters and Shopsmith has a tailstock chuck adapter that enables you to mount a drill chuck on the tailstock. I’ve used this to drill holes on the ends of my turnings.

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"

great job tom…you are amazing…

-- Matt--Proud LJ since 2007