A Tribute to a Year of Shopsmith Ownership

[dstensland]

About a year ago, it was clear that I needed a bandsaw upgrade. My little 9” benchtop bandsaw was fine for small projects but it could not handle bigger tasks like resawing. I shopped around and considered purchasing a new 14” bandsaw but soon realized that Shopsmith’s 11” bandsaw offered the same ripping capacity with more horsepower. Because I couldn’t afford a new Shopsmith, I scoured eBay and Craigslist while learning any differences between the various years, models, and accessories.

Exactly one year ago today, I purchased a nearby 1992 Shopsmith 510. The seller said the machine was used by his father-in-law for a short time before it fell into disuse. The tubes had since rusted, some of the aluminum table pieces had oxidized and even pitted in places. The quill was stuck, and some other parts were missing, but the motor ran and the speed control worked, and it included the bandsaw that I wanted. The seller gave me a good deal and my son and I returned home determined to make the best of it.

Thanks to info found in these forums, it only took a few hours to clean up the machine and get it back to working status. The next day, my son who was 13 at the time, turned his first project, a billy club (a.ka fishwacker or night stick) made of poplar. He was instantly hooked on woodturning. That was a surprise because he hadn't shown any interest in woodworking until that day. Things were about to change in a big way!

Now, a year later, I can say that my family has benefited from the simple decision to purchase that Shopsmith in ways that I couldn't anticipate.

My wife loves the sentimental value of the numerous gifts her “boys” have made especially for her. Among them: A new fireplace surround, a bandsawn jewelry box, travel cup, various kitchen utensils, pens and pencils, rings, flower vase, bowls, bird feeder, and a birdhouse. There's probably some other stuff that I can't remember.

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My son appreciates his newfound woodworking skills, sparked by the enormous capability packed into "his" Shopsmith. He likens the machine to an overgrown Swiss Army knife, and rightfully so. It’s so versatile. Of all the tool modes he's tried, he gravitated most towards the turning lathe for pen making. He has completed well over 20 of them and his work is top notch. Last fall he even received an order from a complete stranger in another state after she noticed his grandfather's pen. This summer, among other things, my son hopes to continue making more pens on "his" Shopsmith for extra cash.

Something that impresses me is the scope of the work that can be accomplished on the same machine. It has the accuracy to create tiny parts for jewelry yet it can also rip up plywood pieces, resaw 6" hardwood, turn 16" wooden bowls, and so much more.

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Our Shopsmith collection has grown to include a second Shopsmith 510 (1990), a Crafter’s station, a scroll saw, jointer, a second bandsaw and a Shopsmith dust collector and some other odds and ends. We really enjoy the versatility and capability.

It feels great to broaden our skills on machines that are made in the USA. No, I didn't purchase this equipment new from Shopsmith but I did place numerous orders for repair parts, options and upgrades from time to time. I think it's important to note that many other companies, such as Penn State Industries, Woodcraft, Lee Valley, Rockler, eBay, and others have also benefited from our Shopsmith ownership in the same way.

Again, the tremendous knowledge and kind assistance from the people in this forum have made owning a Shopsmith a great experience.

Thanks!
-Dave

[BuckeyeDennis]

That is probably the most powerful Shopsmith testimonial that I have ever read. And the picture of your son is priceless! Thanks for sharing.

[JPG]

Hoooraaah!!!!

[charlese]

Really happy for you and your Son and your Wife and any of the others that will benefit from this machine.

Best wishes!

[idcook]

A very moving testament to the greatness of this machine, the people who produce it and the people who use it.

One year and the lad is going into business you say.

hmph! I gotta get a move on.

[rjent]

What a beautiful post! I am just getting started, late in life, but I am already hooked. Congrats on your accomplishments. I just hope I am as successful! And yes, these are amazing machines ....

Dick

[nuhobby]

Thanks for the great story and inspiration for everyone!

[dstensland]

Thanks for all the kind words, guys. I think your encouragement had an effect on the boy who decided to make this today...

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I'd also like to circle back to the original reason for purchasing our first Shopsmith. Here I have a section of red oak timber ready to cut into boards. First it's loaded on a rather crude but effective sled for squaring up the side...

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After squaring up two sides of the log I reinstalled the regular bandsaw fence, then sliced the boards. Here's the result...

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This highlights one way the Shopsmith bandsaw outshines competitors. Configured like this, the massive outfeed platform makes resaw work simple.

In case anyone is curious, Diamond-Sterling bandsaw blades have performed the best for me in this application.

-Dave

[rlkeeney]

Did you use anything to support the log on the in feed side?

Which saw blade did you use? Where do you buy them?

I found them here but there might be a better place.

[BuckeyeDennis]

How did you saw the log in half? I can't see any appreciable twist in the sawn boards, so I assume that the half-log has a fairly flat face on bottom.