Hello, I have started doing some woodworking in my garage. Nothing real detailed.
I inherited a shopsmith and all the accessories and instructions and advertising. I tried looking it up and am getting several different articles with wildly different answers. Can anyone tell me any more about it? The model reads model number ER but when I ask about the specific serial number they tell me it is a mark v. Serial number 26953. What can anyone tell me about it and about what it is worth?  

Jude, thanks for posting.  I would encourage you to sign up for membership here.  Your free membership would expand your reach to Shopsmith owners.

What Ron said: there are some real Shopsmith fanatics here that can help.

3 hours ago, Guest Jude said:

The model reads model number ER

The ERs were the earliest models, dating back to around 1950. The Mark 5 is a much more recent version. Like Ron said, sign up and look through the Shopsmith section.

And post some photos

 

The Model ER was the original 1940s design, so if your serial says Mark V, it’s likely a later 1950s production or a mix of parts from a refurbish. These systems rely on high-torque pulleys, so check the belt tension before you try any heavy ripping. I switched my dust extraction over to Festool a while back to keep my workspace cleaner, but for the actual mechanical work, those Shopsmiths are incredibly robust if you keep the bearings lubricated

Hey, Jude. Welcome and the first thing about whether a Mk5 or 10 ER is if the motor is exposed and some of the belt is exposed, I would contend that it is an ER. If the motor and belts are all enclosed,  most likely a Mk 5. Also, on the serial plate, it should state that it is either a 10E or 10ER. Worth is not much. Those were built in 1947 to about 1952. The website used to have all that history.  To change speeds, you have to change belts. Even if you have the speed change adapter added.  If you have a dial to change speed, definitely a Mk5. 

 

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