How did you get your Shopsmith

[charlese]

I origionally bought a "Crafter's Station" after a demonstration. At the time of the order, added a jointer, belt sander and band saw. Found the Crafter's Station wouldn't work as advertized. (the motor wouldn't reverse real good. Had to assist it by hand when starting) Sent it back and got another under guarantee. Couldn't get this one to perform either. Asked SS if they would take my CS as a trade on a SS 510. They said yes. What a wonderful Company! They gave me full credit on everything I sent back. I kept all the assessories and gladly paid the difference. Haven't ever been sorry! This was in 1995.

Charlese:)

[scottss]

Bought first off ebay a 1960 anv model paid $235. Then bought a second off craigslist a 1980 500 that came with a jointer and bandsaw for $400. It had been used only a few times, the owner hit a nail in some pallet boards and pushed it in the corner. I have since sold my 1960 and upgrade my 500 to a 510 and gave the bandsaw the complete upgrade.

[drsmtl]

I inherited my first ER-10 (loaded) the estate of Dr. Kenneth MacDonald (IA ST). Then a relative gave me his ER-10 along with a 1955 Mark V.
Can some one tell me how to run more than one of these at one time? I can't figure which one to play with. I'm thinking of using one ER as a stand alone drill press.

Bob
drsmtl

[Jake]

I bought mine new in 1955. The store also through in the jounter at no extra charge. I have since upgraded to the 510 and added the lift assist just two weeks ago. That is the greatest thing since the double bed!
Jake

[perryobear]

I had gotten away from woodworking as my kids grew older (making wooden toys was my thing). In 2005 along came my 1st grandchild, and a chance visit to Lowes during a demo where I saw the Mk V I'd wanted so badly back in the late 70's. The combination of the two rekindled my interest. A lucky hit on e-Bay netted me a bargin 510 (in need of new belts) for $200. $30 for belts, and some tech assistance from the great folks at Shopsmith, and I was up and running!:)

[rkh2]

I bought mine new after watching many demos many times and finally could not stand to be without one anymore. That was in 1993, but then never had the time to use it that much until I retired from GM this past year. Started with the SS 510 and bandsaw, jointer & DC 3300 and since have upgraded to the 520, added belt sander, speed reducer, universal tool rest(love turning)and other goodies. Going to another traveling academy in Brentwood, TN(always learn new stuff & enjoy the fellowship of other SS owners) in the end of Mar and looking at maybe getting the new deluxe Kreg bandsaw fence. Still keeping the stand alone planner on my wish list.

[deanthom]

I assumed from reading the posts on here that the majority had gotten theirs used, or inherited them. Thanks for the feedback.

Not so! Look at your poll and then in the lower right corner of the poll area, you'll find a "view poll response" button or some such verbiage.

Going there, you'll find that more bought new than used.

I bought my Shopsmith used, but I had purchased my clone new. Had more money back then and just could not find the $$ for the asking price. No ebay to find used SS machines then, either, or I'd have been doing SS a lot sooner.

Clone was a good machine, but the SS is even better, especially with the 520 fence on it!

[8iowa]

I bought my MK V 500 new in '83. My daughter came to get me to watch a Shopsmith info-commercial on TV. "Dad! You've just got to come and see this". In those days Shopsmith would come to town and put on a demonstration at a local hotel. My son and I went and we were sold.

This machine, now upgraded to 520 is with me here in Gainesville. I finally had to send the headstock back to Dayton as some of the bearings were getting worn out. Now the machine will certainly outlive me.

When we built our vacation home in the U.P. I decided to treat myself to a new machine for my garage up there. On one of our trips up I75 I stopped at Shopsmith's retail store. They had reconditioned demo 505's for sale at a good discount. I purchased one along with the 520 upgrade kit.

[ssuel]

I ordered my Shopsmith in 1985 when the Model 510 was fairly new. I have since upgraded it to the 520 fence rail system. Back in 1985, my wife and I had two young children, and I did not feel that I could afford the SS-510 at the time, but my wife insisted that I get one, because she wanted me to make furniture for the kid’s room and perform other do-it-yourself projects. Since 1985 to date, gifts for birthdays, Christmas, father's day, etc. have all been woodworking tools (mostly Shopsmith accessories). As a young man, I spent lots of time on the lake fishing and in the winter in the woods hunting. I still do some of that, but I think my wife wanted me around the house more, so she encouraged my hobby woodworking. Now I have lots of nice woodworking tools and a great hobby for those retirement years in the not so distant future.

About 1-1/2 years ago, I bought my second Shopsmith (magna tool). It was made in 1956, same year I was born. Kids are now grown and I wanted to refurbish an older model. I had no problems getting parts to fix it up. $600 later and lots of time on the project and it works great. Only paid $300 for the 1956 model. (no other attachments were available from the seller at the time I purchased the SS-500):)

[nellie]

I have just made my down payment on my SS. total price $200. I am hoping to bring it home in a few weeks. It was sold at auction when a local high school discontinued its shop program , (sad face that they are dicontinuing so many shp programs.) and has changed hands a couple of times since. I don't know what model it is. I couldn't get the pictures of the different models to show up on this site to identify it. It has the jointer, lathe, bandsaw, and a few other things, plus the wood tools and an extra table that goes on it. I haven't done a lot of woodworking, just one semester in high school, and a retired guy whose shop I used to use helped me.

I would sure like to learn more about how to use all the features!