Need advice

Create a review for a woodworking tool that you are familiar with (Shopsmith brand or Non-Shopsmith) or just post your opinion on a specific tool. Head to head comparisons welcome too.

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mitchclemmer
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Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2015 6:52 pm

Need advice

Post by mitchclemmer »

I am new to the world of finer woodworking ( I can build a pretty good horse shed though!) and am approaching retirement. I want to start making children's toys for the "grands"and progress from there.
I am looking at a 20 year old Mark5 with band saw and a few other options for $2500 plus freight vs. a new Mark 7 with lots of options for $7500 vs. stand alone machines. We have a table saw, a miter saw, jig saw, drill press,radial arm saw and belt/pad sanders already.
I would appreciate some feedback.
Thank you.
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rjent
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Location: Hot Springs, New Mexico

Re: Need advice

Post by rjent »

If you can afford it, buy the Mark 7. It has features that take it to another level. You can always buy a used Mark without the extras for a few hundred if you want more than one SS.

Just my .02 :D

BTW, I am new to this also, and I can build a building also (and wire it and plumb it, etc.) but the woodworking thing is a whole other world that I am finding very rewarding ....
Dick
1965 Mark VII S/N 407684
1951 10 ER S/N ER 44570 -- Reborn 9/16/14
1950 10 ER S/N ER 33479 Reborn July 2016
1950 10 ER S/N ER 39671
1951 jigsaw X 2
1951 !0 ER #3 in rebuild
500, Jointer, Bsaw, Bsander, Planer
2014 Mark 7 W/Lift assist - 14 4" Jointer - DC3300
And a plethora of small stuff .....

"The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." - Benjamin Franklin
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JPG
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Location: Lexington, Ky (TAMECAT territory)

Re: Need advice

Post by JPG »

rjent wrote:If you can afford it, buy the Mark 7. It has features that take it to another level. You can always buy a used Mark without the extras for a few hundred if you want more than one SS.

Just my .02 :D

BTW, I am new to this also, and I can build a building also (and wire it and plumb it, etc.) but the woodworking thing is a whole other world that I am finding very rewarding ....
In other words, 2500 is a bit steep. ;)

Where are you located? Used prices vary widely with location.

I would start with a used Mark 5/V first to make sure you are comfortable with the 'excentricities' of a 'multi-tool'. A Mark 7 may then make sense. You will not feel a need to 'trade in' the first one. :)
╔═══╗
╟JPG ╢
╚═══╝

Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10
E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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kablerj
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Posts: 230
Joined: Sat Aug 23, 2014 3:33 pm
Location: Meyersdale PA

Re: Need advice

Post by kablerj »

mitchclemmer wrote:I am new to the world of finer woodworking ( I can build a pretty good horse shed though!) and am approaching retirement. I want to start making children's toys for the "grands"and progress from there.
I am looking at a 20 year old Mark5 with band saw and a few other options for $2500 plus freight vs. a new Mark 7 with lots of options for $7500 vs. stand alone machines. We have a table saw, a miter saw, jig saw, drill press,radial arm saw and belt/pad sanders already.
I would appreciate some feedback.
Thank you.
%2,500 would be high here in PA. Check Craig's List for your area (no freight). Best to get a Mark V 510 or 520. If you start with a 500 you'll want to upgrade soon to the larger and more versatile 510 or 520 table system. It's usually a lot less expensive to start out with a used 510 or 520 than it is to get a used 500 and then upgrade.

Jim
Hello from Somerset in the beautiful Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands.

Mark 7, Mark VII, Mark V 520, Mark V 510 x 2, Mark V 500
SPT's - Band Saw, Jig Saw, Belt Sander, Jointer, strip sander, Oscillating Sander, Speed Increaser
SS Freestanding - Pro Planer, Scroll Saw, Overarm Pin Router, Power Station, DC3000 x 2
Made for SS - Incra iBox, Ring Master

"Honest dear, I can quit any time I want."
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berry
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Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2006 5:46 pm
Location: St. Paul, MN

Re: Need advice

Post by berry »

You have a decent amount of equipment on hand so what features/tools on the Shopsmith most interest you?
mitchclemmer
Bronze Member
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Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2015 6:52 pm

Re: Need advice

Post by mitchclemmer »

Lathe and bandsaw
mitchclemmer
Bronze Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Jan 22, 2015 6:52 pm

Re: Need advice

Post by mitchclemmer »

And a scroll saw
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