Considering a ShopSmith Purchase

[Ge0rge]

I'm considering purchasing the ShopSmith Mark 7 with dust collector. This will be my first attempt at woodworking so is there anything else that experienced wood workers would recommend that I purchase?

Also what would you recommend as my first projects?

[davebodner]

I'm considering purchasing the ShopSmith Mark 7 with dust collector. This will be my first attempt at woodworking so is there anything else that experienced wood workers would recommend that I purchase?

When you find a need, you'll know. That sounds like a stupid answer, but it really depends on the direction you end up in.

Also what would you recommend as my first projects?

Learn how to use the equipment safely, then develop skills. This is a journey. It's best to undertake it with guidance, but most of us probably did it alone. Read lots, go slowly, and ask questions. There are plenty of people here who know lots more than me.

Don't allow yourself to get discouraged. You'll make plenty of sawdust, and ruin lots of boards. That's OK. Start with cheap wood and simple joinery. Then work your way up. What projects exactly? That depends. Building shelves around the home, on your way to becoming a fine finish carpenter? Making a simple piece of furniture, on your way to becoming a fine cabinetmaker? Turning a simple spindle, on your way to becoming fine bowl-turner?

[everettdavis]

I presume you have been here:
http://www.shopsmith.com/mark7site/mark7_video_demo.htm

and http://www.shopsmith.com/markvsite/infopack.htm

and perhaps you are aware of: https://www.youtube.com/user/shopsmithdoug1

That said, I find that a properly outfitted (all the safety gear) Jointer, a Band saw, and a Thickness Planer are very helpful if you build a variety of things that includes furniture, glued up panels, grandfather clocks etc.

If you are looking into turning, then good quality chisels are very helpful especially the carbide with replaceable cutting edges.

If you are making duplicate spindles say for a stair rail, then a lathe duplicator can help.

Whatever Shopsmith you buy, you will have instructions on how to adjust and align it, and it will have a woodworking basics workbook for you to work through... Learn the basics of all the cuts and operations in the manual as it will form the basis of good technique in cutting and in safety, then build something you want that you can complete in a reasonable time with those newly acquired skills.

Your mastery and skill will increase with each.

Don't rush anything. Take your time and savor it. Your passion will do the rest.

Everett

[ERLover]

I'm considering purchasing the ShopSmith Mark 7 with dust collector. This will be my first attempt at woodworking so is there anything else that experienced wood workers would recommend that I purchase?

Also what would you recommend as my first projects?

AND ASK HERE when in doubt or for help, decades of SS and Wood Working experience and expertise on both here.
First projects? Tell us what you need want to make? We cant decide that for you.

[algale]

Jointer and thickness planer would be next on my list. You are really limited in what you can do without these tools.

[rjent]

I would consider getting a belt sander as well. Your 7 in one Mark 7 is a fabulous machine and if you can add the "arsenal" of a jointer, planer, belt sander, conical disk, band saw, you pretty much have everything you need. The strip sander is almost a must have etc, etc ....

I have been working wood now for a little over a year now and I am amazed at what I am building. If you are like me, you will love the work, and the machines.

JMHO

[stephen_a._draper]

Make sure you buy the Shopsmith Premium Retractable Casters.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... asters.htm

As far as any other equipment, I would wait until you have completed all ten of the lessons that come with your machine. If you do them all in order you will have an excellent base of knowledge to make decisions on additional equipment you may want.

[reible]

Woodworking is a fun hobby or more for some but I should warn you it is not a cheap hobby. This is especially true if you are just starting out and may or may not think it fun after you are into it.

Some people go to a show and see the shopsmith and watch it perform and fall in love with the idea. Bang they spend the money and some become woodworkers and others well not so much. As an example my son and I just picked up a 1984 model with very little signs of use. The guy we got it from was the second owner and never used it, he even moved it thinking at some point he would get to it. Finally gave up on the idea and now my son has it. So my advice is to move slowly on the acquisitions until you have a feel for it.

Now if you haven't done wood working it is likely that you don't have any tools of the trade that you will have to have so save some money for those. Things like squares, rules, chisels, and some handheld power tools like a drill, circular saw, jig saw, sanders and the like. You could start a list of popular tools from various web searches to give you an idea of what most of us think are must haves. Or start another thread here and ask.

You get a nice amount of capacity from a shopsmith but you will need to add things like drill bits, casters, books and any odd number of other things to be able to do much other then cutting wood. While the shopsmith has a lot of capacity cutting up full sheets of plywood by yourself could be an issue so you will need added support or a guide saw system if that is in your future. Things like routing edges will cost you the price of router bits and you may find the use for a hand held router or 10.

In a lot cases you can or could go out and buy a already made item for cheaper then it will cost for you to tool up and buy the wood. Wood is not cheap. Of course if you like the idea of having worked the wood and make it in your very own shop then you are a woodworker.

The point here is don't get every bell and toy on the marker until you see how you like woodworking.

Shopsmith has a self study couse:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... course.htm

that might be a good idea as would the PTWFE (Power Toll Woodworking for Everyone) book which is a bible for the shopsmith.

First projects can be found in the PTWFE in the form of jigs and fixtures for the shopsmith.

It might be a good idea to add your location to your profile in case you need to see one in action or have questions that might be better handled in person. Might be someone who is willing to share just down the street from you.

Hope you join us for more information and to let us help answer more questions for you.

Ed

[Beave2012]

I would say go for the main unit, a pencil, tape measure, and some glue. Make what you want and add whatever you need as you need it. You can easily add a few grand to the bill and never use it, but I say get it as you need it.

As for your first project, do whatever you want. For mine I made a cabinet under the shopsmith to store all the tools from it. Taught me how to build a cabinet and was very useful storage wise.

[db5]

When you find a need, you'll know. That sounds like a stupid answer, but it really depends on the direction you end up in.

Believe it or not that is precisely the right answer. When I was a graduate student at Texas Tech a fellow student who knew I did my own plumbing, electrical, auto and motorcycle maintenance and repair asked me to give him a list of tools he should buy. I don't think he knew how to use a pair of scissors. I gave him a similar answer. When you need it you'll know it. In the meantime, pay attention here and you may find some things you need but don't know it - yet.