510 Questions

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:50 am

Though I've not even had a chance to use my Shopsmith 500 table saw yet (need some safety gear first,) based on posts in these forums I've begun to wonder about the 510 and 520.

I don't see myself shelling out $950 to $1250 for a shiny new upgrade kit*. I could buy a second whole used SS in a 510 or 520 configuration for less.

Ebay appears to have a steady stream of 510 parts, and this might be something I want to start shopping for part-by-part.

The first question would be: What possible disadvantages are there to a 510 upgrade? (Other than having a box of 500 parts that I will no longer need)

--Paul

*I must admit that a part of me would like to order the 520 upgrade to help keep Shopsmith financially solvent, but that's a whole different tale. It is ironic that the biggest competition to new Shopsmiths seems to be OLD Shopsmiths.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:33 pm

You are absolutely correct in your statement that pre-owned Shopsmith's create a great competition against NEW Shopsmith's. The real shame is that Shopsmith does not seem to recognize that. If they did, they would be trying much harder to make available parts and upgrade kits at prices the owners could not resist.

But, who am I to criticize; they have a marketing department full of professions to make these decisions that are so important to their future.

Yes, you can probably complete an upgrade using parts from eBay. It might take awhile and you just might buy a goose egg or two along the way. If you are not real careful, you might pay a lot more in the end. Remember, every one of those little parts that you buy comes with a shipping cost. The deals on eBay are not always as good as they first look.

Before you begin shelling out more money, you need to spend some time learning and using your 500. After you have used it for a while, doing what you are going to do with it, you will better know what it doesn't do "for you" and you will know better what to upgrade.

bucksaw · Post by **bucksaw** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:37 pm

paulrussell wrote:Though I've not even had a chance to use my Shopsmith 500 table saw yet (need some safety gear first,) based on posts in these forums I've begun to wonder about the 510 and 520.

I don't see myself shelling out $950 to $1250 for a shiny new upgrade kit*. I could buy a second whole used SS in a 510 or 520 configuration for less.

Ebay appears to have a steady stream of 510 parts, and this might be something I want to start shopping for part-by-part.

The first question would be: What possible disadvantages are there to a 510 upgrade? (Other than having a box of 500 parts that I will no longer need)

--Paul

*I must admit that a part of me would like to order the 520 upgrade to help keep Shopsmith financially solvent, but that's a whole different tale. It is ironic that the biggest competition to new Shopsmiths seems to be OLD Shopsmiths.

I took my time and did an eBay upgrade from 500 to 510, part by part, for about $400. Then I sold my 500 parts on eBay.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 12:45 pm

bucksaw wrote:I took my time and did an eBay upgrade from 500 to 510, part by part, for about $400. Then I sold my 500 parts on eBay.

$400 including shipping? Main table + carriage + fence + floating tables(2) + extension table + tubes +legs + guards? Yu dun gud!

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 3:10 pm

I have no intention of moving past the basic 500 configuration until I've learned a lot more about both woodworking and the Shopsmith. None-the-less I'm an information junkie, and love a bargain.

Paul

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 10:51 pm

I'm sorely tempted, but I'm sticking with the base 500 for now -- But for anyone interested: on Ebay there is a 510 upgrade for a buy-it-now of $450.

http://tinyurl.com/y4jh47r

wannabewoodworker · Post by **wannabewoodworker** » Tue Apr 13, 2010 11:57 pm

paulrussell wrote:I'm sorely tempted, but I'm sticking with the base 500 for now -- But for anyone interested: on Ebay there is a 510 upgrade for a buy-it-now of $450.

http://tinyurl.com/y4jh47r

That would be for sale by a member here SDSsmith!

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:50 am

Another question. please message me with the answer if need be. What sort of discount is there on0the upgrades when they go on sale? And how often does a sale roll bye?

riot_nrrd · Post by **riot_nrrd** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 4:10 pm

[quote="dusty"] who am I to criticize]

I wouldn't be so sure... or was that tongue in cheek?

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sat Apr 17, 2010 5:34 pm

paulrussell wrote:Another question. please message me with the answer if need be. What sort of discount is there on0the upgrades when they go on sale? And how often does a sale roll bye?

Their last sale was Feb. 16, 2010. That sale lasted for 10 days. There was also an e-mail reminder of that sale on 2/24/10. This sale was 20% off.

Don't really have an idea of how often they have these sales. Have seen them before several times. Hesitate to say twice yearly. Just seems about that frequency to me. 20%? Can't remember if every one of these upgrade sales have been 20% off. Maybe 25% off sometimes.

I think the sale frequency depends on how much stock they must order from others. Although I believe Shopsmith makes the tables themselves there are hardware parts that probably must be special ordered.