"Shopmith knockoff"?

Create a review for a woodworking tool that you are familiar with (Shopsmith brand or Non-Shopsmith) or just post your opinion on a specific tool. Head to head comparisons welcome too.

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robinson46176
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Post by robinson46176 »

I am going to introduce a blasphemous thought here. :eek:
Suppose you could buy it really cheap and could find a Shopsmith, headstock only, very reasonable and slip it on the knock-off? That would eliminate most potential problems on the basic unit.

Actually I would not be that afraid of the knock-off but then I have spent most of my life repairing, building and modifying all manner of things mechanical / electrical. On the other hand I would have a hard time recommending such a purchase to someone who even needed to ask. :) If you are not sure you can deal with about anything, I would say avoid it (unless you thrive on a challenge).

The big problem is of course not potential problems but the fact that no matter what you do to it, it will never be a "real" Shopsmith and you would always be explaining that it is not... :rolleyes:
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farmer
Francis Robinson
I did not equip with Shopsmiths in spite of the setups but because of them.
1 1988 - Mark V 510 (bought new), 4 Poly vee 1 1/8th HP Mark V's, Mark VII, 1 Mark V Mini, 1 Frankensmith, 1 10-ER, 1 Mark V Push-me-Pull-me Drillpress, SS bandsaw, belt sander, jointer, jigsaw, shaper attach, mortising attach, TS-3650 Rigid tablesaw, RAS, 6" long bed jointer, Foley/Belsaw Planer/molder/ripsaw, 1" sander, oscillating spindle/belt sander, Scroll saw, Woodmizer sawmill
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notlem
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Post by notlem »

Knowing the history now, I'll pass. I'm not afraid of some work on a used machine, but why tackle it and end up with a Frankenstein? Then of course I'd have less chance of selling it later when I want to upgrade. I'd rather start with a decent Shopsmith & cut some wood rather than mess with this.
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JPG
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Post by JPG »

robinson46176 wrote:I am going to introduce a blasphemous thought here. :eek:
. . .
Where's any Blasphemy????????? Makes perfect sense to me!;)
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Goldie(Bought New SN 377425)/4" jointer/6" beltsander/12" planer/stripsander/bandsaw/powerstation /Scroll saw/Jig saw /Craftsman 10" ras/Craftsman 6" thicknessplaner/ Dayton10"tablesaw(restoredfromneighborstrashpile)/ Mark VII restoration in 'progress'/ 10E[/size](SN E3779) restoration in progress, a 510 on the back burner and a growing pile of items to be eventually returned to useful life. - aka Red Grange
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garys
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Post by garys »

Personally, I'd avoid buying it. I saw those same machines for sale here for a short time in the 80s at my local Menards. They didn't stay in the store long. I don't know why. It might have lack of demand, patent issues, or whatever. As I remember, they sold the basic machine for around $900 new while a real Shopsmith sold for $2-3K at the same time.
In the long run, you will be ahead spending more and getting a Shopsmith, new or used. I eventually got my Dad's Shopsmith, and now at 30 years of runtime, it is starting to need the first repairs and maintenance. Because it is a real Shopsmith, I can just order whatever accessories and repair parts I need and keep it running right.
If I had a Chinese knockoff, it would end up at the city dump because parts would not exist to keep it running.
With my real Shopsmith, I hope someday to pass it on to one of my Sons for another generation of use.
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