Which used ShopSmith should I get

retrobalmer46 · Post by **retrobalmer46** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 6:28 pm

Fellow experts, I am seeking your honest opinion. I am officially in the market for a good used ShopSmith with bandsaw and jointer and am kind of perplexed as to which one to seek as I know there are several different models. Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much!!!:)

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:08 pm

retrobalmer46 wrote:Fellow experts, I am seeking your honest opinion. I am officially in the market for a good used ShopSmith with bandsaw and jointer and am kind of perplexed as to which one to seek as I know there are several different models. Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated! Thank you very much!!!:)

I could honestly say - buy anyone you can, they are all capable of what a Shopsmith is suppose to do.

But honestly I would say that if you can afford it, buy a new Mark 7.

If that price tag is a bit high, lower your sights just a little bit and get a Shopsmith Mark V Model 520.

I have a Model 510 and a Model 520. There is nothing that I can do on one that cannot be done on the other. The only real advantage that the 520 has over the 510 is the table system and rip fence.

damagi · Post by **damagi** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:31 pm

dusty is very correct - if money is no object then a new MK7 is great for a variety of reasons (including the support of shopsmith directly).

Barring that, a 510 or 520 is an excellent choice. I have a 520 and have had 510s in the past. Both the 510 and 520 (as well as the less common 505) have the larger table system with floating tables. That makes the work surface much bigger and safer. The 520 has a more substantial fence, but if push comes to shove you can often get a better deal on the 510 than a 520.

The 500s are great units. My first shopsmith was a 500 and it was great. I chose to trade up to the 520 to get the larger table system.

Your best bet if buying used is to go for a unit with as many accessories as possible within your budget. Its cheaper to buy the bundle in almost all cases.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:46 pm

FWIW The larger motor debuted in the sixties! The sn plate will indicate what it has(assuming it still has the original motor and plate).

Even the older models(Greenies/Goldies) are upgradable to 510/520 status and even power-pro update.

You know whether the additional cost of a newer(used) model is justified in your case. Get all the SPT's you can for a given cost. Condition is a factor, but not a 'show stopper'.

charlese · Post by **charlese** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 10:05 pm

All of the above suggestions are right on!:D DITTO!