Which Upgrade? 520 or Power Pro?

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:43 pm

Hello everyone! I've been lurking here on the forum for the past little while trying to learn as much as I can about my new to me Shopsmith Mark V model 500.
I live in the mountains of New Hampshire right now but am planning to move closer to home in Georgia soon to take care of an aging parent. So I've sold off most of my stationary wood working machines and recently bought the used SS to replace what I had. I know where I will be moving won't have the dedicated shop space I now have so the SS is a must. Now I'm trying to decide on an upgrade path for the machine but since funds are limited I need to invest where the best return will be. I do a lot of turning (mostly smaller bowls and boxes), use the TS extensively, use the jig saw SPT a good amount, followed by the sander and the drill press less. I haven't needed to use the horizontal boring function as yet and never had that capability in my previous tools. I've been leaning towards the 520 upgrade as being the way to go until learning about the Power Pro recently. I must admit to liking what I've seen so far and believe the PP upgrade would likely make the core functions work better (more torque especially but the speed range increase would be helpful as I don't have any of the speed adjustment add ons).
I was hoping to tap the wisdom of you seasoned users to help me decide which upgrade to select if you could only pick one. Thanks in advance for your help.
Mike
1984 Mark V model 500 w jigsaw SPT, Dewalt 12 inch mitre saw

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:50 pm

I think I'd go with the PP. For the increase in torque and speed range. Both wood be valuable for the TS & bowl turning.

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:57 pm

Thanks Bob! Makes sense to me. I'm working on an outfeed table and the 500 fence seems rather impressive to me based on what I had previously used (Laguna Tools Robland X-31 combo machine).

Mike

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:01 pm

Welcome to the forum too.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 2:57 pm

Since you mentioned turning FIRST, I would agree with Beeg.

Although the TS function is somewhat limited by the smaller table, it does quite well unless you are sawing large workpieces. It worked for many folks for a few decades b4 the larger tables were created. Still does for me!

WELCOME!

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 4:22 pm

Welcome, polycarp. It is always good to hear from a new member. It is especially good to hear from one who has been lurking for awhile.

You pose a question that I believe is very hard for many to answer honesty (without bias). I love my 510 (upgraded to a 520) with its larger tilting table and improved (in my opinion) rip fence and cannot imagine doing what I do with the smaller table.

You said you use your TS extensively so the size of the table may not be an issue for you and if it is not - I believe that the 520 upgrade may not pay for itself (for you).

You also said that you are heavy into turning. The increased power and expanded speed range may just be what you need to develop the perfect tool (wood lathe) for you.

If I had your decision - I would buy the Power Pro Upgrade with the idea that if I later need the features of the 520 it is available.

Good luck on your decision.

polycarp · Post by **polycarp** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:43 pm

Thanks for the replies everyone. Seems we are all thinking alike on this issue so far. I am so excited to see SS come out with such a major upgrade as the Power Pro and still maintain all the backwards compatibility. I think that is engineering at it's best! I'm so glad to have found this forum as well. What an asset and what a great bunch of folks!

Mike

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:55 pm

polycarp wrote:Thanks for the replies everyone. Seems we are all thinking alike on this issue so far. I am so excited to see SS come out with such a major upgrade as the Power Pro and still maintain all the backwards compatibility. I think that is engineering at it's best! I'm so glad to have found this forum as well. What an asset and what a great bunch of folks!

Mike

Brace yourself, polycarp. We don't always agree with one another. In fact, likes members of a small family, we often do not agree at all even on matters where we all think alike.

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 6:56 pm

polycarp wrote:Thanks for the replies everyone. Seems we are all thinking alike on this issue so far. I am so excited to see SS come out with such a major upgrade as the Power Pro and still maintain all the backwards compatibility. I think that is engineering at it's best! I'm so glad to have found this forum as well. What an asset and what a great bunch of folks!

Mike

I'd go with the PowerPro, since, at least for the moment, it can only be bought new. Then look for a reasonably priced 510 or 510 tables, perhaps on a popular internet auction site.
As a turner you would reap more benefit from the PowerPro than the 510/520.

robedney · Post by **robedney** » Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:14 pm

polycarp wrote:Thanks for the replies everyone. Seems we are all thinking alike on this issue so far. I am so excited to see SS come out with such a major upgrade as the Power Pro and still maintain all the backwards compatibility. I think that is engineering at it's best! I'm so glad to have found this forum as well. What an asset and what a great bunch of folks!

Mike

Don't get too excited about this forum. I found it after buying a nice old greenie. I was planning to dust it off, oil it up and start using it. But no, once browsing through the postings I discovered that I needed to re-paint it -- just because all of the wonderful restorations you can see here look so great. Dirty old green and silver would no longer do it for me, nor would unpolished steel.

Then, of course, along comes the PP, which I wouldn't even know about had I not joined up here. Another thing to ponder, to covet, to find a way of absolutely needing...