Hello,
My name is Michael and I am new to woodworking in general let alone shopsmith. My father-in-law is a woodworking fanatic and I am an overall remodeler (in what free-time I manage to have). I greatly enjoy working on my house and now my wife wants me to build her a new "old" dining room table.
Tools are my love and while browsing my local craigslist I ran across a 2002 Shopsmith Mark V 50th AE 555861.
The seller claims to have all of the original parts and manuals and refers to it as "Rarely used table saw, drill press, never used disc sander, lathe and cutting tools."
First I was wondering if you all feel that this machine is way more tool than a beginner needs. I know it is expensive but I feel that I would really enjoy woodworking and the right tool makes a world of difference to me.
Secondly, I was wondering if anyone would like to venture a guess on value for me? I am a man of bartering but I do not want to insult the owner with a price that is way off the true value of the machine.
Thank you all for your help and this forum seems wonderful so far, with tons of helpful tutorials, links, information etc.
2002 Shopsmith Mark V 50th AE 555861
Moderator: admin
Hi Mike and welcome to the "Family"
No the SS Mk5 is not more tool than the novice can use.
The first thing that you should do is to find out what exact model that it is. I believe that the Mk5 50th AE were mostly a 520 model.
The differences between a model 500,510 and a 520 can be seen at the SS corporate website. Try to find out if there any special purpose tools that come with the tool such as the bandsaw and the jointer. These are very worthy additions.
Go to the SS website and find out what comes with a new Mk5 and make sure that the seller has all of the parts. Missing accessories can and should lower the final price.
Also if you can find a person near you that owns a SS try to get that person to help you evaluate the machine.
The SS website also has a link to the "sawdust Sessions" that were run by Nick Engler and there is a session on evaluating a used machine. I am sure that someone here will provide you with a direct link.
Please post your location, you never know when someone nearby may jump in and help.
This is one of the best forums on the web and the info you get here will be genuine. No dumb questions. Ask away. Everyone is here to help.We do nor have limits on questions here so ask away.
Bill V
No the SS Mk5 is not more tool than the novice can use.
The first thing that you should do is to find out what exact model that it is. I believe that the Mk5 50th AE were mostly a 520 model.
The differences between a model 500,510 and a 520 can be seen at the SS corporate website. Try to find out if there any special purpose tools that come with the tool such as the bandsaw and the jointer. These are very worthy additions.
Go to the SS website and find out what comes with a new Mk5 and make sure that the seller has all of the parts. Missing accessories can and should lower the final price.
Also if you can find a person near you that owns a SS try to get that person to help you evaluate the machine.
The SS website also has a link to the "sawdust Sessions" that were run by Nick Engler and there is a session on evaluating a used machine. I am sure that someone here will provide you with a direct link.
Please post your location, you never know when someone nearby may jump in and help.
This is one of the best forums on the web and the info you get here will be genuine. No dumb questions. Ask away. Everyone is here to help.We do nor have limits on questions here so ask away.
Bill V
-
terrydowning
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1678
- Joined: Mon Jul 19, 2010 3:26 pm
- Location: Windsor, CO
Location also makes a huge difference on used SS and SPTs
Let us know the location and if the seller has an asking price.
As Bill mentioned availability of SPT, spare parts, Table style and and complete or not makes a huge difference on overall price (asking and negotiated)
Any photos on current condition would be helpful as well.
Don't worry too much about age in the pricing equation, it really depends on upgrades, condition (How well the machine is maintained), SPTs and Table style.
Let us know the location and if the seller has an asking price.
As Bill mentioned availability of SPT, spare parts, Table style and and complete or not makes a huge difference on overall price (asking and negotiated)
Any photos on current condition would be helpful as well.
Don't worry too much about age in the pricing equation, it really depends on upgrades, condition (How well the machine is maintained), SPTs and Table style.
--
Terry
Copy and paste the URLs into your browser if you want to see the photos.
1955 Shopsmith Mark 5 S/N 296860 Workshop and Tools
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AmpX5k8IhN7ahFCo9VvTDsCpoV_g
Public Photos of Projects
http://sdrv.ms/MaXNLX
Terry
Copy and paste the URLs into your browser if you want to see the photos.
1955 Shopsmith Mark 5 S/N 296860 Workshop and Tools
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AmpX5k8IhN7ahFCo9VvTDsCpoV_g
Public Photos of Projects
http://sdrv.ms/MaXNLX
Well if you are in Amarillo I would look at this one instead of this one. This assumes that the number "555861" is the model number of the second one. That model number is associated with the model 505. The first ad is a 510 and it comes with a jointer which would come in handy making that 'old' new dining room table. And in either case, there is no harm offering less than the asking price.mikesh_21 wrote:Hello,
My name is Michael and I am new to woodworking in general let alone shopsmith. My father-in-law is a woodworking fanatic and I am an overall remodeler (in what free-time I manage to have). I greatly enjoy working on my house and now my wife wants me to build her a new "old" dining room table.
Tools are my love and while browsing my local craigslist I ran across a 2002 Shopsmith Mark V 50th AE 555861.
The seller claims to have all of the original parts and manuals and refers to it as "Rarely used table saw, drill press, never used disc sander, lathe and cutting tools."
First I was wondering if you all feel that this machine is way more tool than a beginner needs. I know it is expensive but I feel that I would really enjoy woodworking and the right tool makes a world of difference to me.
Secondly, I was wondering if anyone would like to venture a guess on value for me? I am a man of bartering but I do not want to insult the owner with a price that is way off the true value of the machine.
Thank you all for your help and this forum seems wonderful so far, with tons of helpful tutorials, links, information etc.
If you are somewhere else, then never mind.
Rob in San Diego
Email: SDSSmith51 AT gmail.com
Email: SDSSmith51 AT gmail.com
Mike
Like others have told you, make sure you know what you are buying. I bought a 2002 50th Anniversary Shopsmith 520 will all the extras including jointer sharpening attachment, a conical disk, spare blades, extra arbors and a 2002 bandsaw with all the upgrades in 2009 for $1500 in Houston.
It was in excellent condition. It was worth every penny I paid.
You need to study and understand the differences and changes over the years. You need to learn the difference between a 500, 510 and 520. Little things make a difference, for example the "C" headstock was started in 1991, it has a red safety switch which is the first indication of having a "C" headstock. Knowing the difference will keep you from getting taken. See the shopsmith website for info: http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/toolhistory.htm
In September 2012 I bought a 1994 Shopsmith 510 with a bandsaw (aluminum table) for $200. The owner had very few of the regular accessories and the headstock was reported to have no power - you can see pictures at:
http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthr ... 061&page=2
The headstock had full power once I tightened the belt. I spent about 30 hours going through the headstock, cleaning the tubes, tables, realigning etc. I also spent about $300 to buy some replacement parts and accessories. My dad is getting the rebuilt machine for his birthday.
My point was, there are good, better and great deals out there. Do some research and study before you dive in and get over your head. Here is a link to the old shopsmith academy site that tells you about buying a used shopsmith, it is worth the read. http://http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS121/SS121_Common_files/Blackboard_images/Buying%20a%20Used%20Shopsmith%20Mark%20V.pdf
I hope this all helped. Best of luck to you.
Regards
Jerry
Like others have told you, make sure you know what you are buying. I bought a 2002 50th Anniversary Shopsmith 520 will all the extras including jointer sharpening attachment, a conical disk, spare blades, extra arbors and a 2002 bandsaw with all the upgrades in 2009 for $1500 in Houston.
It was in excellent condition. It was worth every penny I paid.
You need to study and understand the differences and changes over the years. You need to learn the difference between a 500, 510 and 520. Little things make a difference, for example the "C" headstock was started in 1991, it has a red safety switch which is the first indication of having a "C" headstock. Knowing the difference will keep you from getting taken. See the shopsmith website for info: http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/toolhistory.htm
In September 2012 I bought a 1994 Shopsmith 510 with a bandsaw (aluminum table) for $200. The owner had very few of the regular accessories and the headstock was reported to have no power - you can see pictures at:
http://www.shopsmith.net/forums/showthr ... 061&page=2
The headstock had full power once I tightened the belt. I spent about 30 hours going through the headstock, cleaning the tubes, tables, realigning etc. I also spent about $300 to buy some replacement parts and accessories. My dad is getting the rebuilt machine for his birthday.
My point was, there are good, better and great deals out there. Do some research and study before you dive in and get over your head. Here is a link to the old shopsmith academy site that tells you about buying a used shopsmith, it is worth the read. http://http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS121/SS121_Common_files/Blackboard_images/Buying%20a%20Used%20Shopsmith%20Mark%20V.pdf
I hope this all helped. Best of luck to you.
Regards
Jerry
Jerry Torok
Spring, TX
Shopsmith PowerPro 520 with Bandsaw, Jointer, Jigsaw, Belt Sander, Pro-planer, Incra 120 Miter Gauge & Incra Miter Express, Incra Twin-Linear
Spring, TX
Shopsmith PowerPro 520 with Bandsaw, Jointer, Jigsaw, Belt Sander, Pro-planer, Incra 120 Miter Gauge & Incra Miter Express, Incra Twin-Linear
I thank you all for your quick response. I am very impressed with both the responsiveness and especially the friendly/helpfulness of this forum community.
To jctorok: I have actually read and saved an article from SS about buying a used machine. It was extremely helpful and informative even though I know next to nothing about these machines. I was actually able to know what a few of the items you were talking about were. I will definitely continue to research.
To reible: Thank you for bringing this to my attention. It seems as though the guy advertising the 520 was actually selling a 510, and the guy who told me he had a 510 (SN: 555861) is actually a 505.
To SDSSmith: Now how in the world you were able to pull a needle out of a haystack and guess my location is very impressive to me. To answer everyone at once, Yes I am in Amarillo, I just did not want to feel rude to the seller if he happened to be a member here and I was asking for advice on value and such. I greatly appreciate the links though and that first one that you suggested seems like a much better deal but sadly it is already sold.
To terrydowning: Not only did SDS pinpoint my city but he found the exact posting I was looking at (the latter link that has no pictures).
To everyone: Thank you all again for your great responses! This is by far the best and most cordial response to a thread I have ever gotten, especially considering I just signed up for this forum today and therefore have absolutely no repore here.
I am in Amarillo so if any of you are near and wouldnt mind taking a look at it with me, or even showing me your SS it would be very neat to see someone with experience run one before I go spending this kind of money.
Thanks again and you all have a very good evening!
To jctorok: I have actually read and saved an article from SS about buying a used machine. It was extremely helpful and informative even though I know next to nothing about these machines. I was actually able to know what a few of the items you were talking about were. I will definitely continue to research.
To reible: Thank you for bringing this to my attention. It seems as though the guy advertising the 520 was actually selling a 510, and the guy who told me he had a 510 (SN: 555861) is actually a 505.
To SDSSmith: Now how in the world you were able to pull a needle out of a haystack and guess my location is very impressive to me. To answer everyone at once, Yes I am in Amarillo, I just did not want to feel rude to the seller if he happened to be a member here and I was asking for advice on value and such. I greatly appreciate the links though and that first one that you suggested seems like a much better deal but sadly it is already sold.
To terrydowning: Not only did SDS pinpoint my city but he found the exact posting I was looking at (the latter link that has no pictures).
To everyone: Thank you all again for your great responses! This is by far the best and most cordial response to a thread I have ever gotten, especially considering I just signed up for this forum today and therefore have absolutely no repore here.
I am in Amarillo so if any of you are near and wouldnt mind taking a look at it with me, or even showing me your SS it would be very neat to see someone with experience run one before I go spending this kind of money.
Thanks again and you all have a very good evening!
I'm not sure about down in TX but out here in CA, used Shopsmiths are a dime-a-dozen on CraigsList, so it's worth taking your time to investigate all the various types, options and accessories, conditions and going prices to make sure you buy the right machine for the right price. Perhaps expand your CraigsList search to surrounding areas - might be worth a drive to get the right deal.