New woodworker to be...

gpotwin · Post by **gpotwin** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:02 am

I am looking to buy a Mark V and it has some rust on it, see it here http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/tls/676533793.html , what do you all think? I really want to get into woodworking as I am getting ready to build my "Mens Crisis Center" (12x20 shed) and I came across this great tool that is within my budget.

Other than that I'd like to know if there is anyone in the Fayetteville, NC area that I can talk with, meet up with, learn from.

brown_hawk · Post by **brown_hawk** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:17 am

It looks like a good deal. The planer is really a jointer, but along with the bandsaw, it should be a good buy. Just check how deeply the rust has gone into the metal.

For the rust removal, see: http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Arch ... emoval.htm

and for the potato method, see:
http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Tips_Ar ... emoval.htm

I've got a rusty gas tank on a chipper/shredder and they don't make the tank anymore. So I'll be trying the sodium carbonate electrolysis this weekend.

Hawk

PS Welcome to the site. And the addiction!

drewa · Post by **drewa** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:35 am

Hello there,

Nick and I are getting ready totally rebuild a 1964 MarkV that is in similar shape that one. If you do decide to purchase it, you should check out the Sawdust Sessions we do covering this "rebirth." We are going to be introducing the machine this Saturday on our Sawdust Session!

Hope to see you around the forum.

Be good,

Drew

ps. you can do it, they are well built machines, but man, that is ugly

backhertz · Post by **backhertz** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:40 am

Personally, I believe it is too much for the condition it is in. Figure in $100 for bearings, belts, etc. to bring in into good condition. I've bought my second Mark V for $225 & a third for $125. The third one had a lot of surface rust- yet the tubes were not rusty like yours.

Honestly, it's your call. In taking the headstock apart and seeing inside, you'll have a better idea of the condition. But at a minimum, pull off the side cover & you can take a peek inside. I could not believe the rust inside my cheaper one. I opted to replace the motor pan. The belt was frozen onto one of the sheaves. A guy who had looked at it before me said the motor was no good. But after disassembling it & unsticking the belt & lubing the sheaves, the motor ended up being fine. I've enjoyed getting into it & as a result, I will be sure to strictly follow the preventive maintenance schedule which is simple & will guarantee you years of trouble-free service.

Tony

gpotwin · Post by **gpotwin** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:44 am

I see another one, but it is a Mark II with a Mark V table, but no pictures on it. What's the difference there?

gpotwin · Post by **gpotwin** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:46 am

Oh and the Mark II is $500.00

Here's another on
http://fayetteville.craigslist.org/tls/680550084.html for $600.00

dickroan · Post by **dickroan** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:48 am

That's really an old timer....check under the motor cover to see if it has been kept halfway clean...Be prepared to spend some dollars upgrading everything that can't be fixed. Download or call SS for a service guide and go get it done......dick

billmayo · Post by **billmayo** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:29 pm

I doubt if the seller has had any offers on this rough looking Shopsmith 500. If you can get it any cheaper, you should try. I would start at $100 and slowly increase the offering depending on the sellers response. Still, I have brought Shopsmiths that were even more rusty than this one so I believe it is a good buy even at $250. If you have the time and patience, you can make it into a really nice piece of woodworking equipment that will last your lifetime. You should follow Nick's videos as he does his Shopsmith overhaul weekly. You will want to try some of the rust removal methods discussed on this forum and by Nick. Any part you would need is still available at Shopsmith.com and/or on Ebay.

Before doing anything to it, go to http://cgi3.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V ... _smith_doc and review the listings for "Repair your Shopsmith Mark V headstock by JacobAnderson" 2 DVD set and the "Tuneup & repair your Shopsmith bandsaw by JacobAnderson" DVD.
These DVDs are worth the money for anyone with a Shopsmith and are easy to understand. You can email him at jacobvb@yahoo.com.

Let us know what you decide to do. Someone will answer any questions you may have about the Shopsmith.

psf513 · Post by **psf513** » Wed May 21, 2008 1:38 pm

Even though the SS is well built, this one looks rough. With the Jointer and Band Saw, I think it is probably worth the money BUT with the work to be done, I'd suggest starting around $100 and see what happens.

Good luck and happy "Crisis Center" management

woodburner · Post by **woodburner** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:55 pm

First thing I would do is ask if you can start it up and see if it runs. If it does, great. Then ask if you can run the bandsaw and then the jointer to see if they are operational also. This will determine how much you should offer for it.

Don't buy what you can get for free. Don't spend money on someone else's problem. They are more than likely to be glad that it's gone than to get money for it. Afterall, the time spent and the parts needed to rebuild it are going to cost you.

Majority of the time if someone offers something for free, no one wants it. Put a price on anything, and someone will buy it. Tell them you will be happy to haul it away for free. That can be the offer you make and can be worth something to the seller. That's how I got a "now out of production" Shopsmith Jigsaw. It works great too.

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