Build an Accessory Shelf for a ShopSmith Mark V

Build an Accessory Shelf for a ShopSmith Mark V

Last year I purchased an early 1980’s ShopSmith Mark V (500 model) from a family member of a friend in our town. It was in great condition and, after a few months of tinkering and using it, I came to appreciate its versatility and unique engineering.

As an experienced wood worker I decided to add to the ShopSmith’s usefulness for my shop by purchasing used shopsmith accessories; a band saw, planer and 6” belt sander all through kijiji. Although they were about 10 years older than the basic unit itself, they are all compatible. Part of the great engineering ... nothing is obsolete. Although I had seen the ‘Shopsmith’ accessory shelf described and available through eBay, I decide to build my own storage shelving, similar to the one I had seen but modified to meet my woodworking requirements.

While I am not the first to come up with this idea, I made it specifically for my workshop needs. So here it is.

It is basically a box ( 2 shelves) that hangs from the longer top shelf. A series of pegs, holes and slots hold the accessories I use most often. The other ShopSmith parts and tools are stored in four small Rubbermaid bins on the second shelf. The heavier planer and belt sander are placed into holes on the top of a small table I built specifically to get these items off the floor.

Feel free to comment or ask questions.

Two screws through each leg of the Shopsmith hold 6" blocks of wood ( 2X2's) that act as shelf supports for the upper shelf of the box.