In a previous blog, I mentioned getting a hold of several older Shopsmiths in various stages of disrepair. My goal was to make enough on the resale of a couple to keep a couple of the accessories that came with. I have an acquaintance who expressed an interest, so this first project goes to him.
By serial #, this machine dates to about 1957, and although the before pic makes it look pretty bad, it was all there and only needed a new gilmer belt for the variable speed drive. They switched to a poly-v belt in about 1960, but gilmer belts are still available. Everything else was ok but dirty and rusty, but with an extensive cleanup and lubrication along with a new electrical cord and on-off switch, the mechanicals were done.
The rest was cosmetic. I used 2 colors of hammer finish enamel, and lots of elbow grease. (Always clean off all contaminants like oils and elbow grease before painting)
After I take a brief rest, I’ll re-do Smith # 2 and find a new home for it, and I’ll keep the 3rd one, shorten the way tubes and make a “mini” power station for some of my accessories. Then it will be time for some woodworking. -SST
-- Accuracy is not in your power tool, it's in you
8 comments so far
Peter O
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1027 posts in 774 days
posted 329 days ago
Wow, nice rehab! It looks like new! You’re making me re-think that rusty old Shopsimth I passed-up the other day.
That elbow grease is great, but you’re right: it will mess up a paint job. Blake did a great review of the stuff.
-- http://www.north40custom.com -- http://north40studios.etsy.com --
roman
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1125 posts in 793 days
posted 329 days ago
S W E E T !
Its always inspring to see another man whos better then his tools….......sweet re-hab !
-- http://www.furnituremann.ca/
Napaman
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3495 posts in 977 days
posted 329 days ago
wow…what an awesome job!!! this makes me think any SS can come back….great job…I would love to get another and make a mini some day…
just awesome…
-- Matt, Napa, CA...fun is beautiful...just trying to have some fun...
Andraxia
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134 posts in 409 days
posted 329 days ago
I always like to see old tools reborn and when it is a Shopsmith it is especially pleasing for me. Good work!
-- The wood slayer - Yes dear I did plan to make more kindling out of that wood I have been drying for the last year - honest!
Bill Hayes
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22 posts in 552 days
posted 300 days ago
Great looking machine. I have come up with a Goldie but no Greenie yet. I would love to done one of them next. Missed several at good prices but by the time I replied they were gone. Not too may SS in the Oklahoma area. Guess did not get too much sales attention in this area. Have most of my luck in KC where my Mom, Dad and brother live. I get my brother to pick them up and keep them at Dad’s house until I can get up there. That is where ER number 9 is right now.
Again Great job.
-- Bill, Broken Arrow OK.
cabinetmaster
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8763 posts in 458 days
posted 300 days ago
Great job at rehabing that fine shop tool. Looks like new.
-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps
Zuki
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1234 posts in 977 days
posted 300 days ago
There is something about these SS that I really like.
-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them
Don "Dances with Wood" Butler
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281 posts in 295 days
posted 285 days ago
I’ve been a ShopSmith owner for 26 or 27 years (the years go so quickly I can’t remember). My Mk 5 is still in service. The only thing about it, I replaced that flimsy little toggle switch with a 15A wall switch. lol
Nice work on the rehab. It looks like new.
Don Butler
Waterford, PA
-- If a man says something in the forest and there's no woman to hear it, is he still wrong?