New to Shopsmith, lots O' questions to come

bubbasimms · Post by **bubbasimms** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 10:05 pm

Hello,

I have just acquired, for free, a shopsmith mark v serial # 154350, seems like an '83 model from the ss chart. I haven't even brought it home yet. We found it in an old shop we were cleaning out. I plugged it in and it seems to run smooth, the bottom two pipes or tubes are pretty rusty, and it appears to have a big sanding disk attached to it. From what I can tell it has no attachments to it, just a powerhead, but i know nothing about these. I have attached a picture, if i did it correctly. I remember seeing them advertised on tv when I was a kid and always wanted one though. My question for you guys, the experts are: is this thing worth bringing home and fixing up or should i just pitch it in the scrap metal pile or maybe part it out? I searched the internet and flea bay and seems parts are readily available. What are your opinions of this thing? I would really appreciate some advice, seems like a neat piece to just trash, but I dont want to invest in it if its not gonna be worth it.
Thanks

boostfan · Post by **boostfan** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 10:35 pm

Welcome to the fraternal order of Shopsmithers

I recommend watching these, especially the "bargain or basket case"

http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Sawdust_Sessions.htm

If you choose to accept the challenge, I recommend registering with Shopsmith, because they send out discounted deals a couple times a week.

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Wed Jul 21, 2010 11:02 pm

bubbasimms wrote:Hello,

I have just acquired, for free, a shopsmith mark v serial # 154350, seems like an '83 model from the ss chart. I haven't even brought it home yet. We found it in an old shop we were cleaning out. I plugged it in and it seems to run smooth, the bottom two pipes or tubes are pretty rusty, and it appears to have a big sanding disk attached to it. From what I can tell it has no attachments to it, just a powerhead, but i know nothing about these. I have attached a picture, if i did it correctly. I remember seeing them advertised on tv when I was a kid and always wanted one though. My question for you guys, the experts are: is this thing worth bringing home and fixing up or should i just pitch it in the scrap metal pile or maybe part it out? I searched the internet and flea bay and seems parts are readily available. What are your opinions of this thing? I would really appreciate some advice, seems like a neat piece to just trash, but I dont want to invest in it if its not gonna be worth it.
Thanks

If it runs like you say, it is definitely worth bringing home. The bench tubes (the ones on the bottom) do knot need to be rust free, but the way tubes should be kept that way. Go through all of the Sawdust Sessionsand remember that you can buy new parts and accessories from ShopSmith too.

Wanderir · Post by **Wanderir** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:31 am

Welcome aboard! I'm new here as well. I'd recommend trying ebay or craigslist before buying new parts/accessories. Free with no accessories could add up to spending lots of money, but at the least you could have some good parts. Just today I've seen ads from 150 to 1500 here in the bay area for shopsmiths of all conditions. I'd probably try to find one that has all the basic accessories but had some kind of headstock problems and swap them out.

This has to be the most easy to obsess over tool every made.

Eddie

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:54 am

I think the question is: Do you have a need for it? In any event it is definitely worth bringing home. Not too many pieces missing re a basic shopsmith. It may be missing a saw blade and drill chuck and lathe accessories. Maybe also a miter gauge and fence. All those things are relatively inexpensive on e-bay since they are very common and are less in demand than the later versions.

One piece of advice - do not turn the speed control dial unless it is running!!!!!

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:40 am

bubbasimms wrote:Hello,

I have just acquired, for free, a shopsmith mark v serial # 154350, seems like an '83 model from the ss chart. I haven't even brought it home yet. We found it in an old shop we were cleaning out. I plugged it in and it seems to run smooth, the bottom two pipes or tubes are pretty rusty, and it appears to have a big sanding disk attached to it. From what I can tell it has no attachments to it, just a powerhead, but i know nothing about these. I have attached a picture, if i did it correctly. I remember seeing them advertised on tv when I was a kid and always wanted one though. My question for you guys, the experts are: is this thing worth bringing home and fixing up or should i just pitch it in the scrap metal pile or maybe part it out? I searched the internet and flea bay and seems parts are readily available. What are your opinions of this thing? I would really appreciate some advice, seems like a neat piece to just trash, but I dont want to invest in it if its not gonna be worth it.
Thanks

and if you decide you don't want it. I may be interested, where are you located??

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:47 am

terrydowning wrote:and if you decide you don't want it. I may be interested, where are you located??

Are you trying to start a stampede?:D

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 12:37 pm

JPG40504 wrote:Are you trying to start a stampede?:D

I guess it depends on where he's located....

bubbasimms · Post by **bubbasimms** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:00 pm

hello,
Thanks for all the replys and opinions. I got her home today! Home is SW Missouri by the way. Still not sure what my plan is yet. I am gonna follow the advice and watch the videos and figure out what I have and what is missing. How critical is the not turning of the speed knob unless its running

I think thats the first thing i did when I found it! If I decide to sell the thing whats a ballpark price for it? I know it depends greatly on condition but just an idea. I think I would like to keep it and fix it up if they are a decent tool. I've read a few complaints that they are not very accurate. What are your opinions on the usefullness of the machine?
Thanks for all the help.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:35 pm

It is worth the cost and effort to bring it back to full service unless you have NO USE FOR IT. In which case it is worthless. Value is in the eyes of the current owner.

If you don't want it, ship it to me.

As far as accuracy is concerned, that depends entirely upon the individual who is setting up and aligning the machine. I frequently advocate that mine is accurate to better than 1/32" and that it is continuously repeatable even after many reconfigurations.