Restorations - Can you get your money back?

donalexander · Post by **donalexander** » Sat Feb 16, 2013 6:12 pm

I've heard of 'thread drift' but going from recouping the cost of restoring a Shopsmith to sexing chicks must be some kind of record.<g>

FWIW, I bought a 10ER this evening to restore. For being 60+ years old it looks to be in pretty good shape (photos later). I have not yet inventoried it to see what is missing but I'd say the big pieces seem to be there, including the stand with original legs. The motor ran, too. My plan is to set it up as a dedicated lathe but we'll see. I'm not looking to resell it...but I sure would like to restore the Greenie I've seen with 4 SPT, but it's over-priced and the seller isn't responding to e-mails.

...and no I don't have the disease known as Shopsmith collectoritis repeatatorium.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:12 pm

donalexander wrote: ...and no I don't have the disease known as Shopsmith collectoritis repeatatorium.

How certain are you of that opinion:D I say with a grin. Jim

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Sat Feb 16, 2013 10:55 pm

donalexander wrote: ...and no I don't have the disease known as Shopsmith collectoritis repeatatorium.

And I said when I bought my first Shopsmith 13 months ago "Why do all these guys have multiple machines listed in their signature". That's coming from a guy who now has 3 ER's , a 500 shorty and a 520 PowerPro

mgbbob · Post by **mgbbob** » Sat Feb 16, 2013 11:29 pm

My '57 and mid '80s models weren't in bad enough shape to restore but I have tried to upgrade and keep everything in good shape. I hope the kids end up with the machines and I don't have to worry about what the units are worth. I am restoring an old Craftsman table saw that will never be worth the effort but when I am done it will be a good saw. Enjoy the ride and don't worry about the financial end of things.

donalexander · Post by **donalexander** » Sun Feb 17, 2013 7:20 am

fjimp wrote:How certain are you of that opinion:D I say with a grin. Jim

Are you questioning my self diagnosis?

jhanby · Post by **jhanby** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 10:48 am

donalexander wrote:I have seen some really nice restorations here and I'm seriously considering trying my hand at it. What concerns me is the resale value of a used Shopsmith. It looks like a restoration could easily run into $200-300 over the cost of the machine to really bring it back to new condition. I'm looking at a Greenie or maybe a 10ER and I expect I'd lose most everything I invest in a machine plus my time. I've fine breaking even but I don't need a second Shopsmith and would sell whatever I restore. It looks like most Mark V's sell for 400-600 depending on condition (and less if they're really rough). Would a nicely restored machine be capable of bringing $700-900?

You might make out better restoring one to show off then selling the restoration service. Maybe I'm just cheap (and a little simple minded) bit I wouldn't pay $1200 for a Mark V, but I would pay $600 for one (and did) and spend more than that $1200 fixing it up once I was sure it was working well.