Shopsmith Forums

Hello!

I just obtained my first Shopsmith. It's a 10ER, serial 35123, in kind of rough shape. I want to get it functional, and looking like brand new. I know it'll take some work!

So far the only thing I've done is lay out the box of parts and start figuring out what I have, and what's missing. Let's see some pictures: I've only just started learning about this machine. Already found that fantastic google drive full of documents. Figured out I have the optional speed changer, shaper fence, front table extension, mortising attachment, and mortising hold down.

My first question... what year of manufacture is this machine? I found the mark V s/n list, but not the list for 10ERs. Where can I find that information, please?

Those last two photos... ugh! I sure hope that pulley whatsit was a spare, 'cause I think it's just a little bit beyond help. And it's probably not too clear that the last photo is looking inside the headstock, where I found a wirenut and electrical tape!!! I am seriously horrified that I turned this thing on, with my hand touching the case! I could've been killed. This deathtrap is absolutely not going to run again until I strip all that crap out, clean her up, and put her back together right.

Anyway. Hello to the forum! I've already been reading here for the past couple of days, and you all seem like a great bunch of people.

Welcome Matt pun intended!

Nice find. Look in that cardboard box and see if there is a tailstock eccentric therein.

Maybe some lathe centers as well?

Welcome aboard.

Best estimate on date would be early 1951.

Hi Matt,
Your Model 10ER looks to be fairly complete. Depending upon what is found in the box. Hopefully an eccentric as JPG mentioned. It is like a large bolt and nut with a #2 Morris taper hole through it. I you need a picture to help identify it I can take one for you. As you disassemble your Shopsmith for restoration use caution. The broken pulley was most likely damaged while trying to pry it off the drive sleeve. As for the age of your 10ER I would put it at late 1950. This is based on a serial number near yours being purchased 10-10-50. There is no chart of serial number - manufacture dates like there is for the Mark 5/V so estimating manufacture dates has to be based on information owners have found out about their machine. In the reference above it was the sales receipt. As you go through the parts and accessories you have to remember after almost 7 decades it is common to find non-Shopsmith parts in with it. An example of a non-Shopsmith part in your collection is indicated by the arrow in your picture below and I have no idea what it is.
Come back for help whenever you find the need.

...

Here is a picture of the Floating Center, as it is called, for the tailstock. These are part numbers 104-12R Floating Center and 104-13R Floating Center Nut.
If you are using the 10ER manual from Everett's google drive the part number are different as all part numbers changed November 1951.
A 2343 Floating Center and A 2344 Nut-Center Lock
...

Not to say anything wrong with this forum,over on Yahoo there is a specific 10ER group. I say this in part because the current Shopsmith never made the 10ER. But you will also find a lot of help here. I recommend both.

Lots of us have rebuilt 10ER's here. Do a search for "reborn". MickyD and a few others and you will find tons of info on how to polish the tubes, dissassemble the headstock, bearing replacement etc.

Nice looking 10ER! You will love it. Great machine!

Many thanks for the welcome and words of advice. I'll certainly check out that Yahoo group. (Who even knew Yahoo was still around?)

It turns out that I'm missing two important bits: the Floating Center / eccentric for the tailstock, and also the carriage locking lever. I have the two little wedge-plug whatsits, but not the lever itself. So the obvious next step is to start sourcing those parts. I saw this part on eBay, but $25 seems kind of steep when I've seen entire 10ERs available for less than $100. MKC Tools has some really nice looking parts. I should talk to him and find out if he has anything I need. I already figure I'll get the belts for the speed changer from MKC.

I'm in Redding, California. Anybody know a good source in the neighborhood?

I've been reading up on other restorations. Lots of great experience, freely shared around here! Now I'm planning on setting up that PVC tubes and Evaporust system for my waytubes. Probably use Citristrip to remove the paint. I'm thinking about a royal blue paintjob for the old girl.

So I gather this speed changer is kind of rare? I turned the crank a little bit, and it moves smoothly. It looks like it was broken and welded back together at least once.

It's an exciting new project right now... but I know it'll be a long haul. Not least because I've already committed to finishing two other smaller projects before even starting on the SS, so I actually need to just put all the parts away for awhile and get other work done.

Thanks again for the welcome! I'll post more photos once I get some work done.

Yes 'karenhenks' sets high prices. After MKC, wait on E-Bay for another if then needed.

Realize there have been different versions of the locks.

FWIW the lathe centers missing can be replaced with new from SS.

The Yahoo forum doesn't get a lot of traffic these days, but there is good information to be found in the files and photos sections and by searching old posts.

There is also a fairly new Facebook group for the 10ER. https://www.facebook.com/groups/Shopsmith10ER/

I find the forum format here is the best for in depth discussions,