Shopsmith Forums

I got a response. The seller is asking $350. I've paid as little as $75 for a 510 with no rust. I'm sure someone would appreciate starting off with a 500 and performing "CPR"- <a ComPlete Restoration>

I'm still in the game if the price is right. $350 is not right. Thanks to backhertz for the help.

My pleasure. I actually saw one that was even in worse condition last April. The seller was firm on a $800 price even after I had to show him how to turn it on and give him a little demo Then I pulled the belt cover off & showed him where the maintenance was required and from the looks of things, it had been years since anyone had touched that Shopsmith.

It was a situation which I had to walk away from and not look back as I was afraid the guy was going to hurt himself despite my demonstrating to him how to turn it on, what to clean up & wax, etc. The Shopsmith just seemed out of place, so I figured it was either a leftover from the divorce or the original owner had passed away. But the seller maintained it was his.

I've purchased a 520 for a lot less that looked almost brand new & included a new bandsaw. But to each their own. Good luck! Many people look at the prices of a new Shopsmith which looks a lot like what they have since the design hasn't really changed. Then they figure out a price & think their 20-30 year old Mark V that shows no evidence of being cared for is worth 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of a new one. C'est la vie.

There's a half complete, rusted over 10ER that keeps popping up on Houston CraigsList. The price has not come down from $850. The ad does say he'll "negotiate but won't give it away."

heathicus wrote:There's a half complete, rusted over 10ER that keeps popping up on Houston CraigsList. The price has not come down from $850. The ad does say he'll "negotiate but won't give it away."

Yes, I sent him an e-mail pointing out what units like his have been going for in the area. I shared with him that I just acquired one that was in better shape for $150 a few months ago. He's just down the road from me and if he's willing to go down to $100 I might be ready for another restore.

Might point out to the 10E/ER seller about the Pawn Stars episode where a 10E/ER only went for $50. Those 10E/ERs were less than $200 when originally sold & I believe a motor was an option.

I've given up on trying to talk people down on Craigslist. I had one success and the person sold it before I got there. At that point they'll take any better offer.

Many of the machines are in horrible condition with horrible prices. Just have to look for that occasionally great deal and react quickly. Most of these individuals have no idea what they have and that they aren't the same as the newest Shopsmiths. They also get offended when you offer a lower price, but months later their lower prices or go away.

letterk wrote:I've given up on trying to talk people down on Craigslist. I had one success and the person sold it before I got there. At that point they'll take any better offer.

Many of the machines are in horrible condition with horrible prices. Just have to look for that occasionally great deal and react quickly. Most of these individuals have no idea what they have and that they aren't the same as the newest Shopsmiths. They also get offended when you offer a lower price, but months later their lower prices or go away.

Check your PMs

letterk wrote:I've given up on trying to talk people down on Craigslist. I had one success and the person sold it before I got there. At that point they'll take any better offer.

Many of the machines are in horrible condition with horrible prices. Just have to look for that occasionally great deal and react quickly. Most of these individuals have no idea what they have and that they aren't the same as the newest Shopsmiths. They also get offended when you offer a lower price, but months later their lower prices or go away.

I think you need to watch Pawn Stars on the History Channel. They always ask a what they want & their first offer often less than half. It all depends. The next thing is to point out things that will cost to refurbish/restore an item to be sold. You can do the same thing. Open up a belt cover and I can almost guarantee it will be filled with saw dust & there has been no lubrication to the motor sheeve.

By all means keep your eyes open and keep your buying area within a 50 mile radius or whatever you're comfortable doing. It doesn't take a truck to move a Shopsmith. A 5/32" Allen & a Phillops screw driver is all you need to inspect a headstock. Pull the cover off and look. IF you decide to buy, it only takes 10 minutes to break a Shopsmith apart. Pull the end off the way tubes. Use a block to with the table to have the way tubes slightly up & pull the head stock off- it slides right off. The bench tubes need a Crescent wrench I doesn't remember the size off the top of my head. Invert the bench, loosen the bolts and the tubes will come out & the leg assemblies will come off. I had up to a 510, two 10ERs and a DC3300 in my little Honda Civic.

Good luck

Sam was trying to point me to the first free one in our area that I've seen in the last year. I spotted it about 15 minutes after his post. Unfortunately, the wife gave me a no for going to look. She said something about it being dark and a Craigslist Killer. Guess it makes sense not to be digging in the alley at 1130 at night. The thrill of the chase to me and by 4 am it was gone.

I used to negotiate for a living and am familiar with much of the back and forth. Unfortunately, when they start so high the only thing that changes their mind is time. Once they see it won't sell and have it for months they may negotiate to a reasonable price. I've thrown out the call me when you think my price is reasonable. Unfortunately, by that time they'll take just about anything. The reasonable priced machines often can be negotiated even better. They just don't come around very often.