Shopsmith Forums

Hey ya all,

Just got back from looking at a Shopsmith that a coworker is selling for his dad. It's the basic Mark V with some extra tools, blades, books, etc. It's in MUCH better shape than mine but still has a couple small spots of rust on the bars and legs. He also has an SS Scroll saw on a stand that looks brand new. I told him I would get back to him on the 1st on a "yay" or "nay". He wants $500 but may throw in the scroll saw too. Don't know if it runs but figured if it does on the day I make the possible pickup, I'm gtg. if it doesn't run, then no deal. I already have one SS in pieces and don't need another.

My question... Good deal or not (to include the Scroll saw)?

what say you?

What are the extra tools you speak of? Are there any SPT's with it?

Sounds like the Scroll Saw is the only potential SPT from the OP. Still, depending on how much work you want to put into something (as you mentioned you already have one needing work), I personally don't think $500 for a *well-maintained* machine is out of the question. If it's ready-to-go out of the box, I would consider that price for the sake of not having to mess around with any rebuilds, knowing that I'm paying something for convenience factor there. Age of the machine would help my decision on that, though, and whether the rust you are seeing is caused from neglect or unavoidable environmental circumstances, etc. If the $500 includes the (working) Scroll Saw, and you don't have one already, and you have plans for its use, I would personally be satisfied with another working SS + scroll. Unfortunately, how well it was really maintained is hard to discern without logs (if they are scrupulous enough to keep them) or at least talking to them a bit (if you believe them). The skeptic / cynic in me might win out in the end on that front.

500 for a single SPT and a 500 may be a little high IMHO. I bought a 500 last year, paid 600 and it came with a belt sander, jointer, bandsaw, and a fully serviceable ready to go 500. It is not way over priced, but I think you can do better ... It really depends on what part of the country you live in as well. Like it has been said here, what is it worth to you. That is really all that matters.

JMHO

yeah, I couldn't see any SPTs besides scroll saw. Yeah, I don't have a scroll saw so I could definitely use one. checking the website, a new one is almost $1k. dang!! He said it was working years ago, but it hasn't been used in a while. not sure on what caused the lil bit of rust... neglect? since it's not any one area specifically. Since he had it packed away in a shed with tons of other crap around it, I couldn't really see what else was going with it. the 2 crates were probably 1'H x 1'deep x 1.5' wide.
I agree on the convenience part. I have enough projects to do that I don't want another. I really need to get mine going, but HoneyDo list is trumping that since the SS is not even put together. IF it was together, then I could really get some other HoneyDos done at the same time. It sux not having it up and running.
as far as location, it seems like even a decent basic Mark V is upwards of $750. $500 gets me one like I have except it is together. which means I'd have to rip it apart just like mine to get it in acceptable shape.

as far as extra tools, I'm not real knowledgeable on the different SS tool types so I don't even know what they are or what they are used for.

very frustrating... I'm not in a rush...sort of. but antsy to cut some wood.

WITH the scroll saw, a no-brainer!

Without the scroll saw depends upon the answer to Rjent's question.

I am surprised that no one has asked what model Mark V. The PO did say that it was working years ago???

since I don't know the part number to indicate year and model, kinda out of luck. The owner just moved from Michigan and basically just threw whatever he could into the storage shed. which would entail him having to move everything out and around the SS to get a decent look.
sorry I don't have more to go on.

Now you have an opportunity that may present you another option. Depending on the storage shed and who has keys, if you can locate him and make a counter-offer, if the storage shed is a storage facility, he might welcome the opportunity to defray some of the storage costs by selling it to you for far less.

I would ask.

Everett

well, sorry to say, I have to pass on the SS. with all the landscaping issues we have to get done, money got tight and will be for a lil while. I did ask him how much he might want for the scroll saw, but he didn't have an idea of how much to sell it for.
for EOEs, what do think is a good price on an SS Scroll Saw that looks brand new on a stand?

Thanks you all.