Hi im new to this

[peter]

Hi everone I'm new to this.Ive been looking at buying a SS and dont have a lot of woodworking experence.Last time i did any real woodworking was at school in England.I now live in Ky and would like to buy one SS and some additional add ons like band saw dust collector so on. What would you all suggest is a good or would be a good set up for complete novice.yours Peter:)

[Nick]

Welcome to the best part of the whole danged Zoo, Peter. We've got some very interesting characters in here, but they're most harmless. Let us know what you're woodworking ambitions are -- what sorts of things would you like to build? That will help us to better answer your question.

With all good wishes,

[Gampa]

First of all WELCOME to the forum. Second of all pat yourself on the back for wanting a SS the best woodworking system around. But I'm prejudice. The answer to you question is a different as the woodworkers out there. It leads to the question what are you going to use it for. Are you going to buy new or used? Personally I would recommend the model 510 as a minimum as you will quickly realize you need the additional tables for a lot of your cutting and if possible get the 520 for the added conveyance and ease of use that it provides. You already mentioned the band saw and dust collector, so I would recommend the joiner if you are going for any kind to fine woodworking and the 6" belt sander is a great addition as well. These would give any shop a good base to start from and then fill in other areas of your equipment as you skill and expertise increases.

Something that is fun to watch and some skill building would be the Sawdust session at this link. http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/Sawdust_Sessions.htm

Also being in KY you are fairly close to Dayton the home of SS so looking into some of the classes there might be a good idea and give some hands on with the different accessories before you buy.

Anyway welcome to the forum. I am certain that others will be along to offer additional suggestions. Besides no matter what you buy I believe you will enjoy the fun of woodworking with it.

[peter]

Well thanks guys for the reply im wanting to make boxes cedar chests bowls. I'm also wanting to make rustic furniture.Head boards so on beds chest drawers. I'm thinking of getting the tenon and frostner bits as well as the milwalkie hole shot from bosworths .So thats a rough idear, i also make indian things like ive just made a lamp small cedar feather box so on.Ive been intrested in native americans most of my life so would like to build chairs furnture on those lines.I live near Paducah KY,and any info would be well appriciated.Thanks from peter.

[a1gutterman]

Hi Peter,

What Walt said.

[ryanbp01]

Welcome Peter:

I would second what Walt said except for one area: If you are going to purchase new, you may as well go all in and purchase a 520. Although it is more $, I believe you will save money the longer you own the machine for the simple reason that at some point you may look at upgrading and that you can avoid a fair expense that upgrading will bring in the future. That is what I did and I have never regretted the decision. Have fun in exploring the wonderful world of woodworking and this forum.
BPR

[stryker1313]

If money is an issue, and really when isn't it, then you can definately find used SS around. THey are such a high quality machine, that the ones floating around used can still be in great condition. You might check craigslist for local as it is expensive to ship. If you are making boxes i would definately recommend the jointer. And a bandsaw is crucial for turning in cutting blanks. After getting into it for a while, you will then have an idea of what you need. You can hold off getting the jointer, but not really the bandsaw.

Have fun!

[dusty]

I would purchase the Shopsmith Mark V 520, the Shopsmith Power Station, the Shopsmith Bandsaw and the Shopsmith Strip Sander.

The Power Station could wait but you will eventually want one so that you can use all of the other SPT without reconfiguring your Shopsmith. The Shopsmith will be occupied as a table saw, boring machine or lathe most of the time.

The Bandsaw would be mounted full time on the Power Station until you get a Jointer (then you will have to share). The Power Station also sets up as a fantastic "Sanding Station" (disk sander, drum sander and the Belt Sander).

The Strip Sander, in addition to many sanding tasks, gives you the capability to sharpen (knives, chisels, hand planer blades, etc).

If I have run the startup cost up too high, just begin with a Shopsmith Mk V and a Bandsaw. The rest are readily available whenever you are ready.

Welcome to the forum. I hope you make your decision soon. There is a lot of sawdust waiting to be made.

[john]

Peter:

In terms of start-up cost, I would go with Dusty's last suggestion and go with the SS 510 or 520, and the bandsaw. In my experience these two will handle almost anything you are going to do for a while. As to dust collection, a shop vac will do an adequate job until you are ready for a stand alone dust collector. Besides you will need a shop vac anyway to clean the shop floor, benches, etc.

The other accessories can be acquired as you become more experienced and find a need for them. The beauty of SS is all the add ons that can be adapted to the basic machine or power stands.

Good luck

John

[8iowa]

Peter:

Welcome to the forum and our "community".

I purchased my Shopsmith model 500 back in '83 with a bandsaw and jointer. I still have this machine and accessories and through the years have "upgraded" them to the equalivent of the latest models. This is the beauty of the Shopsmith system. A dust collector is also an essential addition if you are going to have your shop in the basement or an attached garage.

Now both my son and my son-in-law also have Shopsmiths. This is truly a multi-generational as well as a multi-purpose woodworking machine.