Wanted a drill press for fathers day . . .

[corbantd]

Hi all,

I asked for a drill press for fathers day and my wife found this shopsmith and asked if I'd rather have it: https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/5590333242.html

Is this a good deal? I've been wanting a jointer and a lathe too and my shop is small, so in theory I'm stoked. But I want to make sure I'm not over paying. I'd never heard of shopsmith until yesterday.

Thanks!

[lilgodwin]

I certainly wouldn't buy it, at least not at that price. But, I'm cheap.

I first learned of ShopSmiths this past November/December. Did a bit of research and found out they were just sitting there on Craigslist. So, I picked up 2 different ads for $400 total. Included was 2 shopsmiths, a bandsaw, a jointer, a scroll saw, tables, extensions, and tons of extras/accessories. One's an '84 model, and I think the other is early 70's. Both were in great shape for the most part, even before going through the motors.

The ad you posted has been sitting on Craigslist for a month, and updated 4 days ago. It doesn't look like it was really taken care of, until recently when the owner decided to sell. Nearly the whole thing was poorly primed and the table was hit with a wire disc or something to brush off the rust I'm guessing. Not necessarily huge things in the grand scheme of things, but if it's any indication of how well the motor was taken care of, might not be in the best of shape either. But, it is a mechanic's shop, not a woodworking shop.

Here are 2 others that I'd look into if they're still available, and if you're willing to drive an hour for the one in Fort Collins.

http://denver.craigslist.org/gms/5637386218.html
http://fortcollins.craigslist.org/tls/5638027911.html

I'm not as good at picking apart a ShopSmith as many of the guys here, but these don't look like bad starters, especially for the prices. No pictures for the Fort Collins one, but worth looking into.

Also, here's the last page Bargain's thread. Look around the last 5-10 pages, as it should help give you an idea of what other, more prominent, members consider to be a good deal. Granted, a good deal on the east coast might not be a good deal on the west coast. But, it should help to gauge if you can find some that are closer to your locale.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/commu ... -s870.html

Good luck! And if you end up picking one up. Read this post FIRST before doing anything, even before plugging it in and turning it on.

[ChrisNeilan]

Definately worth looking at . The "primer paint" to me looks like the effect of bad lighting for the camere as the other pics seem normal. It's older, but worth a shot. The jointer is a great tool. The unit may need some tlc, but they are easily brought back. I'd offer a bit less, say 300, and see what he says, but even 400 is not bad depending on the market where you live.

[Beave2012]

I started with Shopsmith around 18 months ago and love it. I actually purchased a second that i modified to become a permanent drill press, and within the last week or so, another just because it was a crazy good deal. I am one of the crazy good deal buyers and I am picky with my Shopsmith buys.

Each area is different and prices will vary. Remember there are a few different models and that's important. You are looking at a Mark V model 500 (Small aluminum tables) and its decent for most work, but table saw I prefer the next step or two up to the 510 (has larger tables and tubes on ends to connect them together). The 520 model has a flat "tube" to connect the tables together and works very nice. The older 10e and 10er models don't have the mark v rolling leg base, but a table or cabinet base. They do very well at the drill press with the lower RPMs.

I would look at theses posts from the denver area as well...
https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/5621928929.html (a bit more spendy but much better condition)
https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/5618639962.html (unknown model and condition)
https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/5571275173.html (Model 10er, older but well loved from those here. Great for a drill press due to its low RPM rate possibility and looks like it has a speed changer).
https://cosprings.craigslist.org/tls/5576328632.html (older posting, but if still available I would chose this over your original post, and could talk them down a bit i guess).

For your area, I would probably either go for the $199 unknown model if it turned out to be in good condition, or the model 10er with speed changer. However if you want a really good deal, get a craigslist app and favorite the shopsmith & "shop smith" searches and just stalk craigslist once a day for new postings for when a great deal pops up. My last two have been nearly free after picking them up and selling the duplicate accessories I already had. You can get good deals with patients.

That being said, the original post was repainted and tables were a bit rough. However, as I have noticed with Shopsmith, you can restore just about anything with these. That's why they last 60+ years. Just make sure the motor runs well (try not to change speed until you lube & do maintenance on it, but make sure it runs).

As for accessories, they should be thought about in the purchase, but you could always buy a later "deal" that comes with them and resale (or re-purpose ) the deal shopsmith machine while keeping the accessory.

[Beave2012]

Oh and here, these links will help you determine more of the technicals outside of price that will influence if its in decent shape and how to go about the new shopsmith. They were posted by our more expert members of the forum and nothing I say will do these threads justice so do look at them.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/maint ... 16113.html - Buying a new shopsmith

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/maint ... t7092.html - New Owner information

[ERLover]

That ER does have the speed changer, and they make wonderful Drill Presses.

[dusty]

That ER does have the speed changer, and they make wonderful Drill Presses.

Spoken like one who has become dedicated to supporting and advocating the 10ER.

Yes, they may be good machines, especially as a drill press, but I am just as confident that a Mark V in the drill press mode will "do the job just as well". However, for some tasks it would be advisable to use a speed reducer.

I won't speak to the value question. That is dependent an awful lot on where you are. Personally, I would be on the lookout for a machine that "looks as thought it needs TLC" but that has a good motor and speed control mechanism. Everything about the Mark V is that repair is a DIY task.

[moggymatt]

Careful, you'll notice a theme here. Shopsmiths are like potato chips, hard to stop at just one. When I started shopping for them, $400 got me a 500, jointer, band saw, boxes of extras and a jointmatic. 2x $125 got me base units, one with a jointer. Another time $125 got me an ER. But that's here in Spokane, WA.

[charlese]

Hi all,

I asked for a drill press for fathers day and my wife found this shopsmith and asked if I'd rather have it: https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/5590333242.html

Is this a good deal? I've been wanting a jointer and a lathe too and my shop is small, so in theory I'm stoked. But I want to make sure I'm not over paying. I'd never heard of shopsmith until yesterday.

Thanks!

I'll try to avoid all the blah - blah of trying to save a penny or two. You've read enough of that already. Yes! let your wife buy it!

Is it a good deal? Considering you may be going to a shop of tools rather than just a drill press - - It is old and used, but can be brought up to present day standards. Yes this will require more cost, but only if you want.

Suggest you look at the shopsmith web sites. Look over all of the segments along the red line at the top of this page.

This is one of the very best consumer oriented companies around. All the folks on this site have Shopsmith equipment and all but one or two grouches love their tools.

There are many folks here that will be willing to help you if you have questions or problems.

[JPG]

Hi all,

I asked for a drill press for fathers day and my wife found this shopsmith and asked if I'd rather have it: https://denver.craigslist.org/tls/5590333242.html

Is this a good deal? I've been wanting a jointer and a lathe too and my shop is small, so in theory I'm stoked. But I want to make sure I'm not over paying. I'd never heard of shopsmith until yesterday.

Thanks!

I'll try to avoid all the blah - blah of trying to save a penny or two. You've read enough of that already. Yes! let your wife buy it!

Is it a good deal? Considering you may be going to a shop of tools rather than just a drill press - - It is old and used, but can be brought up to present day standards. Yes this will require more cost, but only if you want.

Suggest you look at the shopsmith web sites. Look over all of the segments along the red line at the top of this page.

This is one of the very best consumer oriented companies around. All the folks on this site have Shopsmith equipment and all but one or two grouches love their tools.

There are many folks here that will be willing to help you if you have questions or problems.

At least there are no 'grinches'.

Welcome to the forum!!!