Help with Deciding

[chapmanruss]

You have some good choices to consider for the actual Marks for sale. The 520 with the Power Pro upgrade plus the Bandsaw and Jointer would get you set up nicely. The main difference between that 520 and a Mark 7 is it doesn't not have the Double Tilt Bench Ends. It is $300 less than the actual Mark 7 for sale. The Double Tile Bench Ends can be added to that Mark V 520. The Mark 7 has the Universal Lathe Tool Rest which is a nice accessory if you plan on doing a lot of lathe work but does not have any SPT's. Both are the Gen 1 Power Pros.

The one ad titled 2 Shopsmith - Mark V's For Sale has me wondering how much the seller actually knows about the Tools they are selling. Calling them Mark V's when it is easy to see the one Logo Plate pictured which says Model 10E (the other is a Model 10ER per the plate) should be a clue to the seller that they are not Mark V's. Although some very nice accessories are included like the custom brackets for mounting SPT's and the 3 SPT's themselves $950 may be more than someone would want to pay when getting started with Shopsmith Tools and buying this old of a Tool. This is not to say that there is not that much in value in the group. You could easily spend $200 each for just the Bandsaw, Jointer and Belt Sander. I am a fan of the Shopsmith Model 10E and 10ER Tools and have owned 27 of them, restored 24 of them so far and currently have 3 waiting to be restored. I haven't made any of them into a "shorty" to power just SPT's. The Model 10ER shorty is an interesting idea but I feel it falls short of its protentional not having a Speed Changer on it.

[NewGuy]

You have some good choices to consider for the actual Marks for sale. The 520 with the Power Pro upgrade plus the Bandsaw and Jointer would get you set up nicely. The main difference between that 520 and a Mark 7 is it doesn't not have the Double Tilt Bench Ends. It is $300 less than the actual Mark 7 for sale. The Double Tile Bench Ends can be added to that Mark V 520. The Mark 7 has the Universal Lathe Tool Rest which is a nice accessory if you plan on doing a lot of lathe work but does not have any SPT's. Both are the Gen 1 Power Pros.

The one ad titled 2 Shopsmith - Mark V's For Sale has me wondering how much the seller actually knows about the Tools they are selling. Calling them Mark V's when it is easy to see the one Logo Plate pictured which says Model 10E (the other is a Model 10ER per the plate) should be a clue to the seller that they are not Mark V's. Although some very nice accessories are included like the custom brackets for mounting SPT's and the 3 SPT's themselves $950 may be more than someone would want to pay when getting started with Shopsmith Tools and buying this old of a Tool. This is not to say that there is not that much in value in the group. You could easily spend $200 each for just the Bandsaw, Jointer and Belt Sander. I am a fan of the Shopsmith Model 10E and 10ER Tools and have owned 27 of them, restored 24 of them so far and currently have 3 waiting to be restored. I haven't made any of them into a "shorty" to power just SPT's. The Model 10ER shorty is an interesting idea but I feel it falls short of its protentional not having a Speed Changer on it.

Thank you all for the help, I'm thinking either the mark 7 or mark V 520 will be what I go for but here is another option, thinking about offering 250 if that doesn't seem like too much. I would either keep this as a second machine or give it to my brother if I do wind up going for one of the others. Thinking this is an easy way to get the feel of one and if I want to spend almost 10x more albeit on a much nicer one. Also it gets me a Bandsaw.

[NewGuy]

They said they'd take 200. Going to go pick it up unless someone on here sees a glaring issue and warns me against it before I get there.

[HopefulSSer]

510 with bandsaw for $200? You're stealing it. Go get it before he charges his mind!

[DLB]

This one is a Mark V Model 510. It has a nicer table system compared to a Model 500 or older Mark 5/V, but not as nice as a 520 or Mark 7. It has a conventional headstock as opposed to PowerPro, 1-1/8 HP with mechanical speed control. These are very reliable and reasonably easy to service and repair if needed. It is a "C" headstock as evidenced by the red safety power switch so likely has a two-bearing quill and is the latest version, 1991 or later. That's all good stuff, and this is a very good price for a 510 even if it did not have a bandsaw. I would guess it is from the 1990's as this is the earlier version main table casting. The pictures don't show how complete it is or any accessories. Ideally the owner has a box o' parts with a drill chuck and key and the other safety equipment, but those aren't deal breakers if he doesn't and the main parts are present.

I wrote that before you added the latest on price. You can't go wrong with this.

- David

[JPG]

Earlier table because of ribbed center section? That would be a third version.

[chapmanruss]

You could pay $200 for just the Bandsaw and it has the Aluminum Table. Add to that the value of the Mark V 510. Do make sure to service/lubricate them before using them since you may not know how long it has really been since that was last done.

You may be seeing the same thing in your area that I am see in mine that Shopsmith tools are currently not selling that fast. Possibly why they are willing to take $200. Good for the Buyers but not for the Sellers. One of the reasons I have not been in a hurry to put any tools up for sale here. I have a 1998 Bandsaw that I will put up to sell for at least $200 and more for the Fence and/or Table Extension to be included too.