I am new to all of this. Sure could use some advice.

[beeg]

That second one is an upgraded 500. Don't see the telescoping legs. Do see a bent caster.

So in comparing what you call an upgraded 500 versus the 510, is that a negative or just an observation?

Knot really either. BOTH the 500 and the 510 have the same headstock. The differences are the table size, the 510's are larger.

[roy_okc]

I really appreciate all the suggestions.
Can you give me your reactions to this CL post? https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/tls/4826352006.html
Worth the extra couple hundred more than the initial Shopsmith I was considering?

Liz,

The worth depends on what is important to you, as well as how old the 500/510 (Seattle) is. The Moses Lake 510 includes a dust collector which may be very important to you for operating in your basement, more so than the belt sander and jointer on the Seattle 500/510.

Here's a 510 in Yakima with bandsaw, belt sander, vacuum listed and also shows a jointer attached.

There is one consideration on the 500/510 conversion. Pre-Oct 1984 500s came with a single-bearing quill, after that they came with a dual-bearing quill. The latter quill has less runout (wobble) which could be important for finer drilling or lathe work but is fine for more general work. The early quill can be replaced pretty easily, but it does cost $128+shipping.

History of the Mark V/7 line: http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/toolhistory.htm.

[JPG]

You may be feeling a bit over whelmed with all this 'model' talk.

Hopefully what follows does not make that worse.

The Moss lake greenie MAY have the older drive train(Gilmer drive). That means current/future headstock upgrades would require an upgrade to ploy-v drive first($$$$). If so that is a negative. It also may have the older 3/4 hp motor. Another negative.

The Seattle one has all those extra SPTs that make it more attractive.

Realize the '500/510/520' model differences pertain to the table(s) and rip fence ONLY. 520 is the top of the line, and there is used stuff galore for the 'lesser' models(a result of having been 'upgraded').

[shopsmithpaul]

Liz,

That looks like a better deal. For $300 extra you are getting a lot more than the $800 machine. The only thing I don't see are the 3 ring owners binder which contains a section of lessons, and then the book "Power tool Woodworking for Everyone". The book is kind of everything you need to know about using Mark V and attachments. Both are readily available. I bet if you ask the seller has them.

I used to teach at Shopsmith, Woodsmith Store, and Woodcraft. I noticed machine was located in Seattle. It has been a few years but the staff at the Woodcraft store used to be really good. I want to encourage you not to be overwhelmed by more experienced students in the classes. Some of my best students were women who were just beginning their woodworking hobby/adventure.

[JPG]

Liz,

. . . Some of my best students were women who were just beginning their woodworking hobby/adventure.

They did not think they knew it all and 'listened'!