Another Nubee... basic SS purchase questions

wdphillips · Post by **wdphillips** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:25 pm

Another nubee here.

I am 62 and I am finally looking at purchasing a ShopSmith. My 1976 Craftsman table saw is on its last leg. So before it hurts me by flying apart I started looking for a new table saw. In looking I started running across the ShopSmith. I have always wanted one but… the desire lay dormant for many years. Since I need to spend money and I need a Drill press as well now is the time!

I am leaning towards used machine as there are several for sale within 150 miles. I could be talked into new if the logic is there. Being an engineer I am not adverse to taking things apart, cleaning them up, and making them work.

There are two scenarios on used, one for $1500 with everything but the kitchen sink or the basic machine for $500. Is it better to buy everything at once or buy the basic machine and add on?

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:33 pm

wdphillips wrote:Another nubee here.

I am 62 and I am finally looking at purchasing a ShopSmith. My 1976 Craftsman table saw is on its last leg. So before it hurts me by flying apart I started looking for a new table saw. In looking I started running across the ShopSmith. I have always wanted one but… the desire lay dormant for many years. Since I need to spend money and I need a Drill press as well now is the time!

I am leaning towards used machine as there are several for sale within 150 miles. I could be talked into new if the logic is there. Being an engineer I am not adverse to taking things apart, cleaning them up, and making them work.

There are two scenarios on used, one for $1500 with everything but the kitchen sink or the basic machine for $500. Is it better to buy everything at once or buy the basic machine and add on?

The price range of $500 to $1500 is actually pretty narrow. If you get a really decent machine for $500, you can easily add to it a bandsaw, and/or jointer for the other $1000. But if you can get a good setup that includes these accessories and whatever else the guy might throw in, I would say go for it at $1500 or less.

This is especially true since you indicate that you mechanically and can handle some restoration (if necessary).

I have seen some great deals.

wdphillips · Post by **wdphillips** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 1:23 pm

Thanks Dusty...

The $1500 machine is a Mark V 510 (supposedly manufacture 6-7 years ago) has quite a bit, 2 planers, band saw, 3 sanders including the belt sander, jig saw, other stuff that is not even out of the boxes. I have not seen it yet (tomorrow).

My concern was starting out with more than I need, but might want/need later.

The $500 machine is a basic Mark V 500, SN 91974 ( I am not sure how to interpret the date code.

Depending on their condition (surprisingly, both sellers indicate great shape and hardly ever used!) it sounds like the $1500 may be the best choice.

wa2crk · Post by **wa2crk** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:14 pm

Welcome to the forum. I think that I would go for the $1500 machine with the attachments. Make sure that you get all the basic stuff liks saw guards miter guage etc. You can get a listing of what is included in a basic machine from the SS website. Please edit your profile to include city and state so we know where you are.
Bill V
P.S. It's better to have a little too much, rather than much too little.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:18 pm

wdphillips wrote:Thanks Dusty...

The $1500 machine is a Mark V 510 (supposedly manufacture 6-7 years ago) has quite a bit, 2 planers, band saw, 3 sanders including the belt sander, jig saw, other stuff that is not even out of the boxes. I have not seen it yet (tomorrow).

My concern was starting out with more than I need, but might want/need later.

The $500 machine is a basic Mark V 500, SN 91974 ( I am not sure how to interpret the date code.

Depending on their condition (surprisingly, both sellers indicate great shape and hardly ever used!) it sounds like the $1500 may be the best choice.

Are there ever any sellers who describe there wares differently from 'great shape, hardly used'? That implies to me 'never maintained'!]http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthr ... t=newowner[/url]

wannabewoodworker · Post by **wannabewoodworker** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 2:27 pm

wdphillips wrote:Thanks Dusty...

The $1500 machine is a Mark V 510 (supposedly manufacture 6-7 years ago) has quite a bit, 2 planers, band saw, 3 sanders including the belt sander, jig saw, other stuff that is not even out of the boxes. I have not seen it yet (tomorrow).

My concern was starting out with more than I need, but might want/need later.

The $500 machine is a basic Mark V 500, SN 91974 ( I am not sure how to interpret the date code.

Depending on their condition (surprisingly, both sellers indicate great shape and hardly ever used!) it sounds like the $1500 may be the best choice.

If that machine is as good as he says it is in your discussions absolutely buy it. You cannot find a better deal than that anywhere with all of the added accessories unless you get extremely lucky like several members here have done. But that is a rare deal indeed especially if the machine is in great shape and comes with all of the trimmings.

ddvann79 · Post by **ddvann79** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 3:52 pm

wdphillips wrote:...The $1500 machine is a Mark V 510 (supposedly manufacture 6-7 years ago) has quite a bit, 2 planers, band saw, 3 sanders including the belt sander, jig saw, other stuff that is not even out of the boxes. I have not seen it yet (tomorrow)...

Depending on their condition (surprisingly, both sellers indicate great shape and hardly ever used!) it sounds like the $1500 may be the best choice.

That is a heck a deal in my opinion! A brand new 510 without the planer, jointer, belt sander, jig saw and bandsaw is $3,300! And I see used 510s in my area for that price without anything or only a bandsaw.

Have you considered if you want the advantages of the 520? You can upgrade to the new fence and rail system from the 510 for $425. But to go from a 500 to 520 is $1,200.

dickg1 · Post by **dickg1** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:01 pm

JPG,

JPG40504 wrote: ". . . there wares . . ."???

"Werewolf?
"There wolf! There castle!
Dick

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 4:20 pm

You may be able to negotiate a lower price with the seller. Sometimes the seller is anxious to reclaim the space or is anticipating a move and is looking for a fast sale. I had a 510 and an '04 520 follow me home along with their bandsaws, jointers and dust collectors. Oh and the belt sander, one jointer and one bandsaw had never been used. In both cases the sellers wanted their space back, now. It was a good week!:D

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Feb 28, 2011 5:01 pm

dickg1 wrote:JPG,
"Werewolf?
"There wolf! There castle!
Dick

Once upon a time, long long ago their was a lonesome wolf looking for a place to hang out!:D

BTW Their are other goofs in some of my posts!;)

If the wolf finds the castle, does that mean the wolf were looking?:rolleyes:

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Another Nubee... basic SS purchase questions

Another Nubee... basic SS purchase questions

Wow!