Parting Out, Tearing Down, Taking Apart, Help/Hurt, Right/Wrong?

tmillie · Post by **tmillie** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:09 am

I have a few questions or statements:

1: I've got three shopsmiths (two goldies and a greenie). One is in great condition, the other two have some great parts and others not so much.

2: I'd like to tear down and part out the two that I don't use. My thought is that I can make a few dollars to keep my good one in tip top shape, maybe it will help others find parts at a reasonable price and I'll also have some more room in my shop.

3: Is tearing one down and selling parts frowned upon? Is is wrong? If I'm honest and straight forward about the condition of the parts I'm selling, I don't see the downside.

Just wanted some thoughts as I'm thinking of making the move fun. Plus, while taking it apart, I think I'll learn more about the intricacies of the Shopsmith!

Thanks Fellas and Ladies!

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:03 pm

tmillie wrote:I have a few questions or statements:

1: I've got three shopsmiths (two goldies and a greenie). One is in great condition, the other two have some great parts and others not so much.

2: I'd like to tear down and part out the two that I don't use. My thought is that I can make a few dollars to keep my good one in tip top shape, maybe it will help others find parts at a reasonable price and I'll also have some more room in my shop.

3: Is tearing one down and selling parts frowned upon? Is is wrong? If I'm honest and straight forward about the condition of the parts I'm selling, I don't see the downside.

Just wanted some thoughts as I'm thinking of making the move fun. Plus, while taking it apart, I think I'll learn more about the intricacies of the Shopsmith!

Thanks Fellas and Ladies!

They are your machines. There is nothing morally or ethically wrong with you parting them out.

Now, having said that - I JUST HATE TO SEE OLD MACHINES GO THE WAY OF GETTING PARTED OUT. ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE SUCH A GOOD SOURCE OF PARTS AT SHOPSMITH. IF REPAIR PARTS WERE HARD TO COME BY - THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER STORY.

Why not sell them for what they are - old machines that need major work and let someone who is interested bring them back to life.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:08 pm

tmillie wrote:I have a few questions or statements:

1: I've got three shopsmiths (two goldies and a greenie). One is in great condition, the other two have some great parts and others not so much.

2: I'd like to tear down and part out the two that I don't use. My thought is that I can make a few dollars to keep my good one in tip top shape, maybe it will help others find parts at a reasonable price and I'll also have some more room in my shop.

3: Is tearing one down and selling parts frowned upon? Is is wrong? If I'm honest and straight forward about the condition of the parts I'm selling, I don't see the downside.

Just wanted some thoughts as I'm thinking of making the move fun. Plus, while taking it apart, I think I'll learn more about the intricacies of the Shopsmith!

Thanks Fellas and Ladies!

This is one of those 'opinion' things which CAN lead to 'heated' discussions. IMHO they ARE yours to do with as you please. The area that I would be in opposition to would be that of 'destroying' any part for other purposes. As you pointed out this CAN be a win-win. You are more able to maintain the 'good' one as well as helping someone else maintain theirs. You also learn from the disassembly which will help you in the future. The only downside is that two more are no longer 'out there'.

P.S. I like Dusty's reply better!!!

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:51 pm

dusty wrote:Why not sell them for what they are - old machines that need major work and let someone who is interested bring them back to life.

Because as such they have almost no monetary value but if parted out carefully they can bring in a nice piece of change.

When I was first getting into all of this "bunch of Smiths" mess

I bought some parts on ebay from a nice Air Force Col. from the base at Dayton. I asked him about the selling of parts and he gave me an education on just how much could be made from selling parts. Later when I picked up a nice greenie from another nice guy in Massachusetts I learned that you can also make money from shipping as well. BTW, I stole that one and he was sorry that he had sold it as a complete unit instead of parting it out. He was still a good sport about it and we had a nice visit.
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Those of us in the antique tractor hobby have this discussion now and then. I believe the big difference in this case is that a Shopsmith is an item that you can still buy new almost identical to what was sold many years ago. You can't go buy a new 1948 John Deere A or a new 1929 Model A Ford car but you can go buy a new Shopsmith...

bucksaw · Post by **bucksaw** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:35 pm

I frequently look to eBay for used SS parts and I'm really surprised at how many used parts end up selling for more than a new part from Shopsmith. It always amazes me.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:56 pm

bucksaw wrote:I frequently look to eBay for used SS parts and I'm really surprised at how many used parts end up selling for more than a new part from Shopsmith. It always amazes me.

Yes Dave and I am sometimes surprised how often Ebay sellers advertise parts incorrectly. There are good and not so good buys there. I personally prefer to buy my parts new. I look forward to the day when our economy allows shopsmith and many other vendors to stock sufficient inventories. fjimp