Shopsmith - hauled out of the basement

I likely needs some lubrication of the headstock. If you go to the ShopSmith site and forums there are lots of resources there. Mine dates to the middle 80’s and I use it primarily as a drill press both vertical and horizontal, for some sanding, and infrequently to turn small pieces as a lathe.

You got a great machine. I’ve had mine since the 70’s.
DON’T try to move the speed dial without the machine running, you’ll damage the reeves drive.
I agree go to the “Shopsmith” forum. There’s a lot of good information.

I had a shop smith Mk 5 many years ago. I wish I would of held onto it. it will last a life time. For the many years I had it I had to only replace the main ON/OFF toggle switch one time.

Its one of those multi tool that does a bunch a jobs well but not great job of all of them. But it does save room. It is/was one of the greatest Lathes I ever had.

-- If you don't Play, you can't win

+1 on “don’t try to move the speed dial without the spindle turning” (by hand is OK) That’s about the only thing you can do wrong to wreck things right off. Next up, lube everything (see manual) and wax all the tubes and surfaces with Johnson’s Paste Wax and you’re good to go.

-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fibreglass trees. http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/

My ‘83 era Shopsmith was originally a model 500. Through the years it has been up-graded, first to a 510, then to a 520, and three years ago I purchased the Power Pro motor and MK7 upgrade. It’s now as modern as can be.

Shopsmith has a great reputation of supporting their customers. When you call them, there are no “menus” to wade thru. You talk to real people who know their stuff.

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"

Pictures! Must have pictures!

-- "Find out what you cannot do and then go do it!"

Here are some photos I took last night. I am getting some help this morning getting it unloaded. I appreciate the suggestions and let me know if any other thoughts come to mind. I am going to check the serial number to see if the dates I have for this Shopsmith are correct. Plus, I think, I want to get a manual if it is available and not radically pricey. Or at least the maintenance section of the manual.

-- I can see the cheese heads from here and it is great.

If I’m not mistaken the manual should be available as a free download but the ShopSmith forum is the place to ask. There are lots of knowledgable and friendly people there who will give you all the information and help you will ever need.

-- Paul M ..............If God wanted us to have fiberglass boats he would have given us fibreglass trees. http://thecanadianschooloffrenchmarquetry.com/

That’s what “Shopsmith” people call a “Greenie”. 3/4 HP motor and “Gillmore” drive with a timing belt, and clutch assy.
If I read the SN correctly (305861), It was made in late 1955.
I have a 1956 vintage that I bought as a “minnie”, that is that the tubes were shortened. No table or carriage.
I use it to power the Shopsmith stand alone tools, Band saw, and belt sander.
Parts for it still are readily available, should the need arise.

A “greenie” was the first piece of woodworking equipment I ever bought. Moved on from that to stationary pieces but I still use a Shopsmith 510 for sanding functions and it performs excellently. Here’s a couple pics of the set up. Belt & drum sander unit get switched out with the strip sander on the left side of the headstock. Conical & straight disks get swapped out on the right side of headstock and then my spindle sander is mounted on the extension tables.

Hey,
You guys are great with the information, thanks much. The 1955 date doesn’t surprise me because my client, the niece, of the previous owner thought that he purchased it in 1981 from someone else and moved it downstairs for his workshop. It is not a heavy machine. She said he never bought anything new.
It also came with a jigsaw attachment that appears was never used. It looks like the great uncle used the Shopsmith for a boring machine, drill press and disc sander. I would not mind selling the jigsaw and using that money to buy a bandsaw attachment which I could use. Boring machine, drill press, sander and bandsaw would be great for me. the search continues. Can’t wait for the time to get it going.
thanks again for the feedback as my education on Shopsmith continues.

-- I can see the cheese heads from here and it is great.

MM,

You might want to check out the Shopsmith forum. There’s a wealth of knowledge available about the old greenies. http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/