Inherited Grandpa's Shopsmith - Help Please

no advice but congrats on getting something like that with some cool memories too

-- Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might

I own a few. Shopsmith’s suggestion is valid. Simple, rugged machines that don’t need a lot of TLC.
I might suggest you take a look at the Shopsmith forum. Those guys are very helpful.
https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/

-- Gene 'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Do not turn the speed selector unless the motor is turning.
Shopsmith forum.com is where all the information is, go there first.
What model do you have?
10ER has an eight inch saw blade and you can see the drive belts.
Mark5 (500) has a table with an edge, where the fence attaches.
Mark5(510) has a table with round tubes for an edge, where the fence attaches.
Mark5(520) has a table with big square edge, where the fence attaches.

I’ve no experience with Shopsmiths, but I’ve turned on plenty of tools unused for that long—some around my own house. As long as the tool hasn’t been exposed to the elements (not all rusty) it should work OK right away. You might look for bug nests in the motor and maybe blow it out if you worry, but it will likely work anyway. It certainly won’t hurt to lube anything that obviously is made such as to allow it.

My advice, follow their instruction and fire that puppy up. I mean what have you got to lose? It might open up a whole new world of possibilities. Best of luck.

don’t force the speed dial. if it doesn’t turn freely when the motor is on, it will need to be serviced. If you force it, it will damage it. Probably need to clean and lube the machine before using.

-- "I build for function first, looks second. Most times I never get around to looks." - Mike, western Colorado

There are a lot of YouTube videos that could help you.

You’ve gotten some good advise so far … and it’s worth repeating a third time … don’t turn that speed dial while the machine is turned off.

But start here. New Owner Information shared on the Shopsmith forums:

https://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/maintenance-and-repair-f10/newowner-informaton-t7092.html

I bought a shop smith for a $ 100.00 that was just going to get scrapped soon if I wouldn’t bought it. It was in good shape but the motor cord inside the machine plate had worn wires and needed replaced, must of been used a lot.
I got all the accessories with the sale. I had a place rewire every thing inside and got a new on off switch too. The belt was still in the good. The mark 5 shop smith kept tripping my house breakers as it is such a large motor to get started in the first place. I bought a industrial gas 120 / 220 generator to solve this problem and I got all the torque needed to run this beast now. It runs great at all speed. if you like to tinker with stuff the motor plate is easy to remove and see what makes this thing tick. I have lots to learn about it still. one thing not to do is put the saw blade on with out gloves I cut my hand real good as the saw blades are supper sharp.
Have fun from Lumber Jock Jeff.

-- Jeffery Mullen