Shopsmith MK V's have no limitations for their designed purpose. Upgrade or downgrade is easy as the basic machine has gone nearly unchanged throughout the years and the company backs them all.
I do have one issue but it's not all that important: Kinda wish they were built a little closer to the ground!
obvious SS shortcomings?
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bobgroh
- Gold Member
- Posts: 400
- Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 1:12 pm
- Location: Just east of Kansas City, Missouri
I am a very part-time wood worker and purchased my first Mark V back in 1984 (a model 500). Had a great deal of fun with it, did some wood turning, cutting wood and the like. Kept it well waxed and cleaned. Have always liked the fact that, although considerably less than the best (e.g. the tilting table saw) in some functions, it was small'ish and quite accurate - a quality machine.
Last year I acquired a Model 510 (with a bandsaw and a belt sander) at an estate auction and sold my 500 to my son-in-law. With the new 510 in hand, I have started adding a few more accessories and am seriously pursuing a jointer assembly. Just added the extension table system - wish I had purchased two of them - but let's get to your question.
Yes, I think many worthwhile upgrades have been made over the years - the bigger motor, the bigger table you asked for (the 510 and the 520), the floating table expansion, the newer riving knife for the saw, etc. Much has stayed the same but SS Mark V still offers a compact size, multiple uses, and the capability of doing great work. I was, in fact, just thinking about that this afternoon as I puttered around in the garage - yes, it is a bit of pain setting it up but I think that is a good trade off for the pretty small footprint that the whole system provides.
Could SS go farther? Yes (e.g. it would be lovely to have a variable speed motor using the new advanced electronics available today) but I think the economics are not in favor of it right now. Right now I am grateful that SS is managing to hang on. And I hope they keep hanging on. It is a good machine and I am proud to own one.
Bob Groh, Kansas City, Missouri
P.S. I wish it was a model 520 and I wish I had a jointer and I wish I had more expansion tables and ........ the list goes on.
Last year I acquired a Model 510 (with a bandsaw and a belt sander) at an estate auction and sold my 500 to my son-in-law. With the new 510 in hand, I have started adding a few more accessories and am seriously pursuing a jointer assembly. Just added the extension table system - wish I had purchased two of them - but let's get to your question.
Yes, I think many worthwhile upgrades have been made over the years - the bigger motor, the bigger table you asked for (the 510 and the 520), the floating table expansion, the newer riving knife for the saw, etc. Much has stayed the same but SS Mark V still offers a compact size, multiple uses, and the capability of doing great work. I was, in fact, just thinking about that this afternoon as I puttered around in the garage - yes, it is a bit of pain setting it up but I think that is a good trade off for the pretty small footprint that the whole system provides.
Could SS go farther? Yes (e.g. it would be lovely to have a variable speed motor using the new advanced electronics available today) but I think the economics are not in favor of it right now. Right now I am grateful that SS is managing to hang on. And I hope they keep hanging on. It is a good machine and I am proud to own one.
Bob Groh, Kansas City, Missouri
P.S. I wish it was a model 520 and I wish I had a jointer and I wish I had more expansion tables and ........ the list goes on.
"(e.g. it would be lovely to have a variable speed motor using the new advanced electronics available today)"
I'm happy with what it has now. I'd almost bet that that part wouldn't be to reliable and VERY expensive to replace. Like you could but a jointer and more tables for about the same price.
I'm happy with what it has now. I'd almost bet that that part wouldn't be to reliable and VERY expensive to replace. Like you could but a jointer and more tables for about the same price.
SS 500(09/1980), DC3300, jointer, bandsaw, belt sander, Strip Sander, drum sanders,molder, dado, biscuit joiner, universal lathe tool rest, Oneway talon chuck, router bits & chucks and a De Walt 735 planer,a #5,#6, block planes. ALL in a 100 square foot shop.
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Bob
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Bob
smartsailer:
Do you own a Shopsmith? If not, what facts of usage are you basing your comments on?
I purchased a Shopsmith 500 back in '83. Yes, Shopsmith has addressed "shortcomings", permitting me to upgrade my 500, first to 510, and then later to 520. How many other "velly good tools" on the market offer upgrade packages for their older machines.
That being said, the 510 has a table that is certainly large enough for most applications and the 520 fence is as good as any of the expensive after market fence options. Actually, when you use this table and fence in vertical drill press mode you have an uncomparable drill press. The motor has been rated at 1 1/8 HP for about forty years. Keep in mind the fact that this is an induction motor which can provide higher than rated torque for brief periods. Shopsmith has designed their machine to be useable on the common household 120V, 15 amp circuit. Many other saws on the market are also so designed, and despite any claims, they are no more powerful than the shopsmith. Actually, the Shopsmith, as a saw, has the advantage of variable speed. By cranking down to a lower speed, the cutting torque is increased, enabling you to cut through some pretty hefty stock. With sharp carbide thin kerf blades this is certainly an adequate saw.
While routers have a large place in today's home shops, most of the usage is freehand or hand held with templates. While the Shopsmith as a router has the disadvantage of a lower speed, it can be set up as a shaper or a molder with optional accessories, offering certain advantages over typical router tables.
Many of us have had to work in small spaces such as 1/2 of a garage. The Shopsmith certainly offers advantages here.
Do you own a Shopsmith? If not, what facts of usage are you basing your comments on?
I purchased a Shopsmith 500 back in '83. Yes, Shopsmith has addressed "shortcomings", permitting me to upgrade my 500, first to 510, and then later to 520. How many other "velly good tools" on the market offer upgrade packages for their older machines.
That being said, the 510 has a table that is certainly large enough for most applications and the 520 fence is as good as any of the expensive after market fence options. Actually, when you use this table and fence in vertical drill press mode you have an uncomparable drill press. The motor has been rated at 1 1/8 HP for about forty years. Keep in mind the fact that this is an induction motor which can provide higher than rated torque for brief periods. Shopsmith has designed their machine to be useable on the common household 120V, 15 amp circuit. Many other saws on the market are also so designed, and despite any claims, they are no more powerful than the shopsmith. Actually, the Shopsmith, as a saw, has the advantage of variable speed. By cranking down to a lower speed, the cutting torque is increased, enabling you to cut through some pretty hefty stock. With sharp carbide thin kerf blades this is certainly an adequate saw.
While routers have a large place in today's home shops, most of the usage is freehand or hand held with templates. While the Shopsmith as a router has the disadvantage of a lower speed, it can be set up as a shaper or a molder with optional accessories, offering certain advantages over typical router tables.
Many of us have had to work in small spaces such as 1/2 of a garage. The Shopsmith certainly offers advantages here.
shortcommings
Given the stated market for this machine, a multipurpose tool for a very small space, the Martk V is pretty amazing. As for the table, my 510 is actually bigger than many of my friends conventional saws. With two extentions and the 2 floating tables in between, the total area is pretty big. I will admit that it is a shallower table from front to back. I have the extention fasteners and with 2 (ebay) floating tables, I can make up a huge table.
The motor seems to be more than enough for my needes, but I am a neophite by shopsmith standards.
The motor seems to be more than enough for my needes, but I am a neophite by shopsmith standards.
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paul heller
- Gold Member
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- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 7:41 pm
- Location: Arvada, CO
I don't understand your comment. The Shopsmith I bought in 1990 had multiple extension tables and could be set up exactly as in the picture. Why do you say it only comes with one table and the photos is misleading? That's not true.smartsailer wrote: also, the unit only comes with one extension table but is often pictured multiple in place in advertisements. seems a bit misleading.
Paul
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dusty
- Platinum Member
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- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
- Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona
A standard Mark V 510 configuration includes only one extension table. So it is not, IMO, unusual. However, I don't know how I could get by, over a long haul, with only one. If I don't have both installed it is because I have either the router table or jointer mounted on the Mark V.
I believe two floating tables are part of a standard configuration. Someone, jump on me if that is an incorrect statement.
I believe two floating tables are part of a standard configuration. Someone, jump on me if that is an incorrect statement.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
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Dusty
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dusty
- Platinum Member
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- Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2006 6:52 am
- Location: Tucson (Wildcat Country), Arizona
I agree, a perfect Mark V would be just a few inches closer to the ground.doug45601 wrote:Shopsmith MK V's have no limitations for their designed purpose. Upgrade or downgrade is easy as the basic machine has gone nearly unchanged throughout the years and the company backs them all.
I do have one issue but it's not all that important: Kinda wish they were built a little closer to the ground!
I do believe, however, that Shopsmith has just recently given indications that they no longer support the Mark V 500. Now because many parts are interchangeable that is not a completely true statement. But I have heard, and I can not tell you where, that 500 unique parts are no longer part of the Shopsmith inventory.
I think I heard this in recent discussions regarding the down sizing.
Again, if someone knows this is not true - speak up. Set me straight.
"Making Sawdust Safely"
Dusty
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Dusty
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paul heller
- Gold Member
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- Joined: Thu Jul 20, 2006 7:41 pm
- Location: Arvada, CO