First time purchaser

[Cecil]

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Hey all,

I made a comment on another thread but I may have done it wrong. I’m new to the forum and woodworking period. I’ve recently learned of shopsmith and for the past couple weeks tried to absorb all the info I can before purchasing.

I’ve found what seems to be a really good deal on a 10ER.

It has a lot of original parts plus original (non-working currently) 1/2hp motor and owners manual. Only 2 owners.

Anyone have any opinions or information on the pics? Would love to figure out roughly when this was manufactured. I hope they attached correctly

[chapmanruss]

Cecil,

Welcome to the Shopsmith Forum.

I already posted in the other thread which you have already found.

Judging by the serial number 85065 that Model 10ER was made in late 1952 or early 1953. It looks to have most of the basic items it would have come with from the factory plus the Magna 4" Jointer Mount Headrest and Jointer Cutter Guard. If it includes that Jointer and the other related parts, it is a plus. The picture below shows the Magna Model 4E Jointer mounted on a Model 10ER but without the belt between the 5" Motor Pulley and the Jointer's pulley.

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I do have that 32” Belt (4L320) and have used that Jointer. When using the Jointer, the belt between the Motor and the Speed Changer or the Headstock (without a Speed Changer) can be removed to reduce drag from the moving parts of the Speed Changer and/or Headstock.

[Cecil]

Thank you so much for all of that. Everything pictured is included! I have others and will be going to see it in person tomorrow afternoon.

That’s really exciting to know the possible year it was made. I can’t wait to learn to more

[jpdalton]

While it’s interesting to have a 10ER with the jointer package included, this unit does not strike me as a good condition machine. And I will say, I’ve acquired quite a number of poor condition vintage Shopsmiths for restoration (haven’t lost a patient yet!), but they have to be cheap-to-free for me to even consider them…

Not sure if it’s an illusion, but one of your pictures appears to show the spindle missing from the headstock!! It should look like this:
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I love 10ERs - I have 3 restored and running in my shop - and I highly recommend them. But I think there may be better values out there for one of these, so give it a really critical look before you buy…

Good luck!

[Cecil]

I’m glad you mentioned that. I went through our conversation and the seller did state that there’s a new spindle included, as something in the original was bent. It just needs to be installed.

I appreciate the advice and I’ll absolutely keep that in mind!

[chapmanruss]

I didn't even look at the price before, but I agree with John that a better deal should be able to be found. Price and availability vary depending on where you live. What area of the country do you live in? Try other sites like craigslist. I have found most of my Shopsmith tools there.

There are things that will have to be replaced during its restoration. The Headstock Pulley has a chip out of it. Hopefully the replacement Spindle/Quill Assembly is okay. I have had a bent Spindle on one of my restorations. It may need new bearings. There are items needed to use just the basic functions for this Model 10ER that are not shown in the pictures like the Arbor, Drill Chuck, Sanding Disk and Lathe Drive. The less complete it is the more it will add to the overall cost.

That price is more than I sell a restored Model 10E or 10ER complete with everything as it came from the factory plus on a bench. I don't sell my restorations to make money but do like to recover the costs. I do it because I enjoy working on these tools. Unless there are items included that are not shown I personally would not buy that Model 10ER as a restoration project. Additionally, I wouldn't pay anywhere near the asking price.

Below is a comparable Model 10ER I restored to the one you are looking at. It includes all the accessories it came with originally plus a Speed Changer, Jig Saw, Jointer-Shaper Fence & Jointer Cutter Head, Drum Sander and Lathe Chisels. These extras all add to the value of this Shopsmith.

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[Cecil]

I was able to get a few additional pictures, so hopefully this gives a more full idea of what I'm looking at. I really appreciate the guidance here everyone. I did notice the large chip on the pulley which I didn't see before.

There's definitely a substantial amount of rust on the tubes, but I did see Drill Chuck for sure in the drawer. Hopefully between all the pictures the machine has most/all that it needs to run all its main functions?

For location, I'm in the Northwest GA/Southeast TN area.

Also I guess I should add the whole reason I’m looking to purchase this. Space is certainly a factor, but I’m trying to get the most I guess “amount” of tools for the price? Obviously I’m not in the business of wasting money, but I’m ok with spending over on a machine if it can give me the things that I’m needing to get into woodshopping.

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[cooch366]

Cecil, based on what you have written, I’ll offer my suggestions/thoughts.

John & Russ are experts and VERY knowledgeable about Shopsmith’s and have done some absolutely amazing restorations. Bringing many units back to life, and I am in awe at what they do and have done.

However, you indicate that you are looking to get into woodworking, have limited space, and are looking to be thrifty (not in a bad way), my thoughts if it were me and immediate goal is to make sawdust, I would continue to pursue another unit (10er, 500, 510, 520] that you could put into use without having to complete a restoration project before being able to actually woodwork. I would think that using marketplace, Craig’s list, and EBay you would be able to find a usable unit fairly reasonable which will accomplish your listed objectives with limited effort to put a unit into service.

All that being said, if you’re looking to complete a restoration project, by all means carry on, however if not you may want to continue looking at the used market for something you could use right away.

FWIW….. Steve

[Cecil]

Thank you Steve,

I’m very appreciative of everyone’s input so far. The wealth of knowledge everyone has provided is so refreshing.

I think unless I can get this unit for a much cheaper price, I should probably look into something a little more “ready to go” than this one.

I’ve pretty much sold myself on looking for a Shopsmith practically on the history alone, but it may just not be for this one.

[cooch366]

Thank you Steve,

I’m very appreciative of everyone’s input so far. The wealth of knowledge everyone has provided is so refreshing.

I think unless I can get this unit for a much cheaper price, I should probably look into something a little more “ready to go” than this one.

I’ve pretty much sold myself on looking for a Shopsmith practically on the history alone, but it may just not be for this one.

I have purchased complete ready to use 500/510’s in my area (I have 4 units with headstocks, and one without) for as little as $100.00 by watching the used market. I found the even buying multiple units I was able to fill in parts I was missing and able to part out and sell the pieces I didn’t need (reducing the overall cost of the units). Or sometimes I’d pay it forward and give extra parts to others on this site that needed something I had.

Again FYI. Good luck with whatever route you take….