Shopsmith Planer, New Value?

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:45 am

theheater wrote:To reply to the first question about this planer, it is the floor standing, power feed model.

It is BRAND NEW, not used.

I am planning to sell it for local pickup only. Not going to deal with shipping something like this. I have not decided how many avenues I will use, but possibly eBay (local pick up only), and probably Craigslist. It sounds from the replies that a new one now is quite a bit of money. It sounds like $500 would be cheap for one of these that is New Old Stock.

I have some accessories with it too, not sure what they are but it had boxes of stuff that came with the planer when I moved it out of my dad's home.

I am in Auburn, Washington. About 25 minutes south of Seattle.

Post pictures of the stuff that came with it and we can help you identify what all of it is - my guess is they are parts for a Mark V and not the planer, but could still easily be sold either on their own or as part of a package.

WmZiggy · Post by **WmZiggy** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 12:35 pm

I have the SS Planer I purchased when they first came out in the 80's - maybe it was 1985. I upgraded it with the metal infeed roller, but essentially its a first generation planer. I've never had a problem with it and have used it on almost every project or case piece I've ever built. Compared to the 12" desk top planers produced and sold by the competition, I think SS is way ahead given it's variable speed, heft, and dust removal capabilities. I've used some heftier floor models and for hogging an eight inch or more off at a pass, they beat SS, but they are also in another class. I think I paid between $600+ for mine back then (someone out there correct me is you remember the initial price), so a 90's model in the box is a steal at $400. I know that our equipment is only worth what someone is willing to pay, but I wouldn't give it away either.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:41 pm

WmZiggy wrote:I have the SS Planer I purchased when they first came out in the 80's - maybe it was 1985. I upgraded it with the metal infeed roller, but essentially its a first generation planer. I've never had a problem with it and have used it on almost every project or case piece I've ever built. Compared to the 12" desk top planers produced and sold by the competition, I think SS is way ahead given it's variable speed, heft, and dust removal capabilities. I've used some heftier floor models and for hogging an eight inch or more off at a pass, they beat SS, but they are also in another class. I think I paid between $600+ for mine back then (someone out there correct me is you remember the initial price), so a 90's model in the box is a steal at $400. I know that our equipment is only worth what someone is willing to pay, but I wouldn't give it away either.

I agree that the SS planer is a way better option than your typical 12" benchtop planer. I think the problem with the price you can get for one is that once you exceed ~$400, you start entering into the price range of planers like the DeWalt DW735X, which can handle 13" x 6" stock (the SS planer can only handle 4" thick stock if I remember correctly) and has excellent dust/chop removal, as well as minimal snipe if the infeed and outfeed tables (accessory) are purchased as well. I'm not making a case for the 735X over the SS Pro Planer but rather noting that a lot of folks might hesitate to buy a used planer for close to the same price they could buy a unit like the DeWalt for new. I ultimately believe the SS planer is worth more than that and this unit sounds like it's in like new condition, but then again it is close to 25 years old...I think it's just a case of what the market will bear. Then of course there's the factor of many potential buyers being clueless to the quality of the SS Planer and being much more aware of the more common brands these days. I just think you face a more limited potential customer base for it, which will limit how much people will pay vs what it's really worth.

If it were me, I'd list it on CraigsList for a while with a really good description, photos etc. that detail both the benefits of this planer over other options and also it's like new condition. I'd also note what they sell for new from SS and I'd probably list it at $500 firm or $600/OBO and see if I could get any takers. I personally would hold off on E-Bay unless CraigsList didn't pan out after a few months - E-Bay charges fees, even if it doesn't end up selling, and I think your buyer base with local pick up only items is pretty limited - I rarely go to E-Bay to look for things in my local area - that's what CraigsList is for. Being that you are located south of Seattle, you have a large urban area to draw from, all the way from Bellingham down to Portland seem like a reasonable driving distance for such an item. Matter of fact, I'd be listing it on multiple CraigsList pages, including Seattle, Portland, and any other listing areas they have within reasonable driving distance (perhaps CraigsList frowns on or prevents this? I'm not sure...).

theheater · Post by **theheater** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:10 pm

I have read comments in this thread that describe this planer as used or "like new". It is not "like new". It is new old stock, so it is new.

So it sounds like an asking price of $600 OBO is my best option.

The comment about the boxes of accessories being for a Shopsmith Mark V are not accurate. My father had a Mark IV, and I sold that with all the accessories many years ago. I will open the boxes and see what is inside and shoot some pictures and post them. Maybe they are parts just to use the planer. Does it have stuff you have to attach? It looks like it is ready to use.

I have not found a belt for the motor/pulleys in the boxes of stuff. Any suggestion on this? I would think I could go to a NAPA store and pick up the belt if I had some dimensions for it.

theheater · Post by **theheater** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 2:17 pm

dgale:

What is the new price of a SS planer?

When you say to list the advantages of this planer over "other options", can you help me out? I don't use power planers, so what are the other options and what are the advantages of the SS planer?

I would love to keep this, but I just don't use it and it takes up floor space. Yes, I do woodworking, but my hobbies are with cars and motorcycles, so the woodworking I do is mostly to fabricate projects for car audio or for home repair. Most of my work is mechanical or metal fabrication.

I think listing it in Seattle and Portland is an excellent suggestion.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:25 pm

Please keep in mind that while this particular unit is a "Previously Owned New Item" a couple of things.

1. A potential Buyer only has your word and photos as to "Never Used". Please don't take this the wrong way, but I trust e-bay and craigslist posters that I don't personally know about as far as I could throw a SS Pro Planer.

2. Even if it's still in the box the price should be significantly reduced (Unless you are offering the same warranty) Much of the price on a New Item covers Warranty and Customer Service Issues (Whether a user avails themselves or not does not matter, it is a cost that a manufacturer needs to cover. Kinda like Insurance). And from what I understand and hear the SS Warranty and Customer Service are "second to none".

You may also want to research similar offerings (new or like new planers) in the areas you plan to list. Location makes a huge difference in the used market.

I see craigslist postings from the mid-west and Texas that just blow my mind at how low the prices are. Here in So Cal, the used SS Prices are much higher.

Best of luck.

dgale · Post by **dgale** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:01 pm

theheater wrote:dgale:

What is the new price of a SS planer?

When you say to list the advantages of this planer over "other options", can you help me out? I don't use power planers, so what are the other options and what are the advantages of the SS planer?

I would love to keep this, but I just don't use it and it takes up floor space. Yes, I do woodworking, but my hobbies are with cars and motorcycles, so the woodworking I do is mostly to fabricate projects for car audio or for home repair. Most of my work is mechanical or metal fabrication.

I think listing it in Seattle and Portland is an excellent suggestion.

Here's a link to the SS planer page, which includes all the details of each machine (free-standing "pro" version and the Mark V/VII mounted version), as well as the new price for each:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/planers.htm

Don't be too shocked when you see what they sell for new vs what you can potentially get for them used (or like new or new old stock...)...this is the reality of all things Shopsmith. You actually have a better chance of recouping a higher % of new price for your planer than you would for a Mark V that was bought as the same time. Other folks here would be much better at detailing the benefits of the Pro Planer over other options on the market - I know the SS planer includes separate motors for the cutterhead and the feed mechanism, which is a big plus over most available planers. It also has a variable speed feed motor, which is a plus. I don't own a Pro Planer, so I can't speak to any specifics beyond that but lots of folks here do have them and should be able to detail the pros of the unit.

algale · Post by **algale** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:19 pm

dgale wrote:I agree that the SS planer is a way better option than your typical 12" benchtop planer. I think the problem with the price you can get for one is that once you exceed ~$400, you start entering into the price range of planers like the DeWalt DW735X, which can handle 13" x 6" stock (the SS planer can only handle 4" thick stock if I remember correctly) and has excellent dust/chop removal, as well as minimal snipe if the infeed and outfeed tables (accessory) are purchased as well. I'm not making a case for the 735X over the SS Pro Planer but rather noting that a lot of folks might hesitate to buy a used planer for close to the same price they could buy a unit like the DeWalt for new. I ultimately believe the SS planer is worth more than that and this unit sounds like it's in like new condition, but then again it is close to 25 years old...I think it's just a case of what the market will bear. Then of course there's the factor of many potential buyers being clueless to the quality of the SS Planer and being much more aware of the more common brands these days. I just think you face a more limited potential customer base for it, which will limit how much people will pay vs what it's really worth.

If it were me, I'd list it on CraigsList for a while with a really good description, photos etc. that detail both the benefits of this planer over other options and also it's like new condition. I'd also note what they sell for new from SS and I'd probably list it at $500 firm or $600/OBO and see if I could get any takers. I personally would hold off on E-Bay unless CraigsList didn't pan out after a few months - E-Bay charges fees, even if it doesn't end up selling, and I think your buyer base with local pick up only items is pretty limited - I rarely go to E-Bay to look for things in my local area - that's what CraigsList is for. Being that you are located south of Seattle, you have a large urban area to draw from, all the way from Bellingham down to Portland seem like a reasonable driving distance for such an item. Matter of fact, I'd be listing it on multiple CraigsList pages, including Seattle, Portland, and any other listing areas they have within reasonable driving distance (perhaps CraigsList frowns on or prevents this? I'm not sure...).

That's for sure. It has a powerful built in blower. So powerful that when I connect the DW735 to my Shopsmith DC3300 dust collector, I don't bother to turn on the dust collector at all and the DW735 blows so hard it fully inflates the 42 inch hood and the collector bag.

BuckeyeDennis · Post by **BuckeyeDennis** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:41 pm

theheater wrote:I have read comments in this thread that describe this planer as used or "like new". It is not "like new". It is new old stock, so it is new.

So it sounds like an asking price of $600 OBO is my best option.

The comment about the boxes of accessories being for a Shopsmith Mark V are not accurate. My father had a Mark IV, and I sold that with all the accessories many years ago. I will open the boxes and see what is inside and shoot some pictures and post them. Maybe they are parts just to use the planer. Does it have stuff you have to attach? It looks like it is ready to use.

I have not found a belt for the motor/pulleys in the boxes of stuff. Any suggestion on this? I would think I could go to a NAPA store and pick up the belt if I had some dimensions for it.

Unused may be good when talking about mechanical components, but sitting around unused for 20+ years can spell trouble for some electronic components. In particular, the electrolytic capacitors that are certain to be found in the feed-motor drive. I do believe that a replacement drive costs $362 from Shopsmith - ballpark of your proposed asking price.

Your capacitors could possibly be "reconditioned" by slowly charging them through a large series resistor, or else they could be replaced by a good electronics technician. Do you know if the drive even works after all this time? Personally, I tried to fire up my old 70's vintage CB radio several years ago. I had stored it away in my personal electronics "museum" around 1980. When tested after three decades, I got little more than a 60 Hz hum. Dead capacitors, most likely.

I bought an 80's-vintage Pro Planer in excellent condition last year for $225, including casters and an extra set of blades. It was used regularly, and still works great. I absolutely love it. I'd happily trade mechanicals with you, but not the feed drive!

theheater · Post by **theheater** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 12:55 am

Wet or electrolytic capacitors have a typical lifespan of 15 years. After that, they change value due to fluid evaporation. I am very familiar with them. The cost of them is less than a dollar each unless you are talking about an audio grade capacitor, so for maybe 5 bucks you can replace whatever capacitors are on any board in this planer. And while capacitance value is critical in a radio or amplifier, it is not in something like this. If someone wants to throw that argument out there, I will have the capacitor values and what they cost on Mouser or Digikey and refer them to a competent electronics shop. We are not talking about very much money if they had to be replaced and they are easy to replace. It is absurd to suggest you would have to pay $300-400 to replace the entire drive assembly because some capacitors had lost their values. That would be equivalent to replacing the motor in your car because you had dirty spark plugs. So this is not really something I am going to worry about in terms of setting the value of the planer. It is a spurious issue and most if not all potential buyers likely don't even know what an electrolytic capacitor looks like.

The arguments about a new item being old are duly noted. The bottom line is what some have already stated: the market in this area is what sets the price. If someone will only pay $50 for it, then that is what it sells for. I will take a look at what else is available new and compare the features, take a look at the current SS free standing planer, and figure out how to set an asking price. Where I live, there are lots of people with money who like to work with wood, so I will likely end up asking a higher price with a "best offer" in it.

I don't have a belt to run the machine.

The other accessories I found are a belt guard, something that looks like a handle with a gear on it attached to a cover, and lastly a "Heavy Duty Roller Extension" (and it is heavy).