I paid $250 for the base unit with an old Magna Band Saw, the $70 for a Magna jointer (w/reconditioned bed & blades, shipping and all), $20 for the live center, $50 for caster sets, $50 for all of the center spikes for turning & a Jacobs chuck for $20; then the $50 for the carbide bowl gouge, and about $100 for all the stuff at Harbor Freight, and another $100 for pen supplies and mandrels, etc. at Woodcraft. So, actually about $760 +/- for enough stuff to make pens, turn bowls & pens, and what I really bought it for was to make guitars. I have about 15 Telecaster-style necks in process and 5 Tele style bodies. I am just learning so I am going pretty slow.Ed in Tampa wrote:You make my point, you have $600 invested in something if bought new would cost $4000+ . And you probably paid on the high end as others have reported buying similar for less.
I have been ogling the Shopsmiths since the old TV Infomercials of the '80's and with limited space and very shallow pockets this is a pretty good setup. I know folks that spend $700 for a good band saw, so I think I am ahead of the game.