obvious SS shortcomings?

[a1gutterman]

I stand corrected. Sorry for my error.

Paul

Hi Paul,
What error? You know, I believe that both you and smartsailer are just knot using the right terms. That does knot mean that you are exactly wrong! Dusty is correct that the Mark V comes with only one Extension table, but it also comes with two Floating tables. Floating tables look exactly like Extension tables except they do knot mount to the Mark V directly; they "float" on the tubes.

[reible]

Hi,

Maybe we need to go over this yet again.

# 555861
MARK V with Standard Fence & Table System
This is the basic model or what we like to call the Model 505. It has only the basic setup which is no floating tables, no tubes and no legs.

# 555924
MARK V with Expanded Table System
This is what we call a 510, it comes with the two floating tables, tubes and legs and adds $200 to the cost.

# 555869
MARK V with Pro Fence Table System
This is what we call a 520. It comes with the rails and updated fence and that adds $499.

If you get either the "510" or "520" system it comes the floating tables and is as was shown in the picture. If you get the basic package it does not have the floating tables, tubes or legs...

For more information check the official page:
http://www.shopsmith.com/markvsite/purchaseNB.htm

All of these are Mark V models as was the old 500 which went away quite a while ago... without looking maybe 12 years ago now???

Things like the 500 table top has not been around for a lot of years now, same for the tie bar assembly, and who knows what else. And with times as they are I'm sure the list is only going to grow.

Ed

[smartsailer]

thank you all for your in depth responses. i must say that it's very encouraging to see that so many of you find the SS so useful.

until very recently, i lived in a one bedroom apartment and i did my woodworking in my dining area. i set up a little shop and bought an array of Proxxon power tools, limiting myself to working with very soft woods on small scale projects. i love woodworking so i worked with the space i had. but this exercise made me appreciate efficiency oin use of space and the beauty of intelligent, well made machinery.

the more i learn about the SS, the more i feel it's the tool for me. now to find a good used 510 or 520 i can afford.

i seem to have found a 16 year old mark V with bandsaw, beltsander, and jointer for $1000. unsure if it's a 510 or 520. does this seems like a fair price?

[nuhobby]

Hi Smartsailer,

The deal you found on a 16-yr-old "suite" of tools sounds pretty good by most prices on eBay, etc. Let us know!


Hi dusty,

Regarding your post:
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.

I actively maintain a model 500 and this year I've been able to get fresh arbors, inserts, table-saw-guards, shaper fence & lathe-tool-rest retrofits, lock-rods and wedges. I recall a Forum discussion where I noted that the 500-specific parts-list was no longer printed in the large accessory catalog (although it's still on-line). Nick said Shopsmith struggles to decide how much longer to support model 500. Obviously they haven't built or shipped aluminum tables for the 500 in some years. But, this being said, when they had their "inventory elimination sale" advertised for the Old Overarm Router and Model 500 Specific parts, I looked through the p/n's. Honestly I couldn't recognize the p/n's for the 500. They may have been extremely obscure things; I really don't know.

Best Regards,

[8iowa]

smartsailer:

In regards to your thoughts about purchasing the 16 year old Shopsmith:

If this is a 510 (or 510 upgraded to 520) then $1000 would be a good buy considering the SPT's that go along with it. Hopefully, there will be a manual and many other smaller accessories with this deal.

Before using the machine, it will be very important to do some lubrication and maintenance, which has probably been "deferred" for some time. There will be a lot of helpful advice on this forum as well as Nick's Sawdust Sessions, which can be viewed on this site for free.

It's a fact. Well cared for Shopsmith's outlive their owners.

[paul heller]

The deal you found on a 16-yr-old "suite" of tools sounds pretty good by most prices on eBay, etc.

I watch prices almost regularly. My experience where I live is that the asking price for a 510 ranges from $500 to $2000. I think the people asking $2000 are being completely unrealistic. I have no idea of the actual condition of these tools, however, because I don't actually take a drive to see them. I only watch prices. So take my observations with a grain of salt. (Actually the lowest I have seen is more like $250, but these systems seem incomplete).

Where I live, however, ebay is almost always higher. The best deals are on craig's list. Things might be different where you live. My suggestion would be that you watch prices for a while and don't jump at what seems the first good deal that comes along.

Good luck!

Paul

[woodburner]

Making the actual saw table larger will just add more weight to the entire system and make it that much harder to put on and take off of the machine. Staying with the size they have now and using the floating/extension tables is the way to go. Can you imagine having to remove/install a table that size that is made of cast iron? I think SS has it right at the present time.

You can buy accesories that allow you to use the floating tables for front and back support while ripping a board. While in this configuration, these supports will make the system longer length wise for ripping than you will find on an average cabinet saw.

For routing, the SS was never really advertised as a great routing system, though they sale the accesories that allow you to do this. In fact, it has never been advertised that the SS can do everything. If you do a lot of routing, it is best to purchase an actual decent router. If you want, you can buy the accessories that allow you to turn the SS into a great router table like I have. I have the Incra system for a 510 and it works great.

Also, the photo that is shown in the link in the first message is a photo of a 510, the second model up from the 500. there is the 500, the 505, the 510 and the 520. I see nothing misleading about the photo you placed in your posting. Maybe your a bit confused because it is a photo of a newer model than the 500. The 510 does come with all those extension/floating tables shown in the photo.

Does the SS have some drawbacks? Sure. But can you do routing on a stand-alone table saw? No. I guess you can call that a drawback too. Heck, you can't do any routing on a standard table saw, nor can you use one as a drill press.