Shopsmith Forums

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?

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.

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.

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.

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]

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.

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.

JPG,

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

"Werewolf?
"There wolf! There castle!
Dick

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: