Introduction and questions

[Hobbyman2]

A out feed table I made with the SS

20170707_120438.jpg (330.56 KiB) Viewed 13607 times

[Beave2012]

Holy Cow!!! The table upgrade is $1500? I'm thinking the initial $500 investment was more than worth it, compared to a new machine, but I doubt I'll be upgrading much, unless I find used parts. Thanks for the help, though. Greatly appreciated.

The 510 is good enough, no use going beyond the 510 unless you got spare cash. However don't let the shopsmith prices fool you. Buying used and looking for deals locally can be a great way to build your tools up and keep cost low. If you stalk Craigslist enough you can pounce on some real steals. And then shopsmith is there for parts for machines going back to the 1950s. Cost new... Yeah its high like a new car... Price used, you just need to find the deals. I suggest just using what you have until you find a need for more, at least that was your own experience tells you what to get rather than other people.

[moggymatt]

Welcome aboard!
I dont know about the money pit case. Through yard sale finds, carefully purchased new items and some good advise from the forum members I've equipped my shop with just about all the single point attachments, pro planer, joint matic, 520 table system and almost all the little gadgets for under 2,000.00. And after I sell off some surplus items it will be even less.
If I started all over from scratch, I'd set my shop up the same way, with the Shopsmith system.

[masonsailor2]

Welcome to the forum ! Don't get discouraged by the prices of accessories. You have several other options. Keep an eye on Craig's List and you can pick up most everything at a fraction of the cost. Even if you decide to pay full price you will not be disappointed. The quality and support is the best in the industry. For the fence system you also have the option of the Incra Fence which I have and it is amazing. As far as the nay sayers regarding SS you will find most of them have never used one. There are very few if any limitations as to what you can make or build with a SS. The SS is a precision machine and does require initial alignment and periodic maintenance. Now that you have one assume nothing has been done and start from scratch. Go through the entire alignment process from start to finish and also the maintenance process. Not only will it make the machine perform to its high standards but it will also familiarize you with the machine. There are tons of resources here to guide you in the process. Oh and tell everyone to throw out any previous birthday and Xmas wishlists previously posted !
Paul

[Mike907]

In case you didn't get the manual with your Shopsmith, here is a link to the alignment and maintenance parts:

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/manu ... manual.pdf

Mike

[StokedOnWood]

@StokedOnWood,

Welcome to the forum.

Can you confirm that you definitely have a 510? I've seen people selling 500s on Craigslist, but advertising as 520s and 510s; probably not intentionally misrepresenting, just not knowledgeable. Here's a link where you can see the differences: http://www.songofthegreatlakes.com/ssmodels.htm. Note especially how the 510 and 520 have tubes that connect table pieces together, to include floating tables, while the 500 has no such capability.

If you truly have the 510, then there is no table upgrade, you already have the latest tables. There is an upgrade to the 520 style extrusion and rip fence, using your existing tables. The 510->520 upgrade doesn't give you any additional table space.

My experience for turning was that it was good for work between centers, but not so great for bowls, etc., where one end was not supported. That could well have been the fault of the chuck adapter that I was using. Other than the newest headstock, the Shopsmith's low speed can be too fast for roughing larger pieces that are significantly out of round/balance. Also, the Shopsmith is much louder than many decent lathes. I bought a Jet 1220 midi lathe a few years ago and definitely prefer that over the Shopsmith; however, the Shopsmith was a great way to experience and learn turning without significant extra costs.

As far as faceplate vs chuck, that will depend on what type of turning you plan to do. Many projects start on a faceplate and soon transition to a chuck. Suggest you see if you can find a local woodturning group to help you get started.

It's definitely a 510. It's got the tubes between the tables. I checked carefully before buying.

[everettdavis]

So you are in Texas... Texas is a big place. What part of Texas?

I am in Lubbock in the Texas Panhandle.

If you update your profile with a location, other forum members who are near you may Private Message you when they are passing through your area to have a cup of coffee etc. and get an opportunity to share the passion in person.

I echo what everyone else said; Welcome to the Family!

Blessings,

Everett