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Re: Should I buy a shop Smith?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 8:55 pm
by tomsalwasser
I would say yes, you should buy a Shopsmith. This group is the main reason. You will need help and advice and it's all here for you. 20 x 20 is a generous sized shop. You may want to consider a standalone table saw. Many use the SS table saw but I like my old Craftsman saw and use Shopsmith for most other functions.
Re: Should I buy a shop Smith?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:07 pm
by Beave2012
I would say, since your starting out, go for the shopsmith and learn to use its different functions. After you do that you can decide if you want any other stand alone tools like a table saw. Not only would you have the tools you need to make some great projects, but the change offers help you think through your project and the steps involved.
Think of a shopsmith as a starter tool that stays with you for 30+ years
Re: Should I buy a shop Smith?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:10 pm
by oldc6
more pictures. behind 500 is air compressor, jointer, flex dust tube, and vise on a board that I clamp to bench when needed. behind belt sander the big lathe tool. behind dust collector more clamps. behind 510 sawhorses 2 sets, clamps, and roller stands. stuff in cabinets behind the 510. love those plano brand storage containers. some stuff in the wall cabinets.
Re: Should I buy a shop Smith?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:24 pm
by Beave2012
oldc6 wrote:more pictures. behind 500 is air compressor, jointer, flex dust tube, and vise on a board that I clamp to bench when needed. behind belt sander the big lathe tool. behind dust collector more clamps. behind 510 sawhorses 2 sets, clamps, and roller stands. stuff in cabinets behind the 510. love those plano brand storage containers. some stuff in the wall cabinets.
I may have to invest in some of those plastic organizer storage containers. Maybe make a shelving units to organize them
Re: Should I buy a shop Smith?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:50 pm
by BuckeyeDennis
Hi Tylor83, I live in the Columbus area. I've been monitoring Shopsmith stuff on Craigslist daily for several years, and Dayton postings show up on Columbus searches even if I don't expand the search area. So I'm pretty familiar with your local market.
That greenie listed at $550 is on the high end, price-wise. With patience, you could get one like it for about half that much, but it might take a while. If you don't want to wait, offer him $350 and see what he says.
If you have a little bigger budget, there is a good deal on the list right now -- a pristine looking Model 520 at an asking price of $1000. That's not a steal, but it's a bargain. You'd spend more if you bought that greenie and then upgraded it. And as it's been listed for a couple of months (surprisingly), the seller might come down a bit.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/5290631245.html

- 520.jpg (33.25 KiB) Viewed 9380 times
Re: Should I buy a shop Smith?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 9:55 pm
by Beave2012
BuckeyeDennis wrote:
Hi Tylor83, I live in the Columbus area. I've been monitoring Shopsmith stuff on Craigslist daily for several years, and Dayton postings show up on Columbus searches even if I don't expand the search area. So I'm pretty familiar with your local market.
That greenie listed at $550 is on the high end, price-wise. With patience, you could get one like it for about half that much, but it might take a while. If you don't want to wait, offer him $350 and see what he says.
If you have a little bigger budget, there is a good deal on the list right now -- a pristine looking Model 520 at an asking price of $1000. That's not a steal, but it's a bargain. You'd spend more if you bought that greenie and then upgraded it. And as it's been listed for a couple of months (surprisingly), the seller might come down a bit.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/5290631245.html
520.jpg
Do not go for that 520, it's listed across the country multiple "origins". I call scam on it. I would avoid it.
Re: Should I buy a shop Smith?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 10:21 pm
by Tylor83
How good/bad are the fences on the 500 vs 510?
Re: Should I buy a shop Smith?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 10:43 pm
by JPG
Tylor83 wrote:How good/bad are the fences on the 500 vs 510?
Properly adjusted, they are all good.
The 510 and 520 have added features(tslots).
The 520 is without the jig mounting holes, but with the side t-slots they are more 'flexible' re fixture mounting locations.
Like the larger tables, the 510/520 fences are longer.
Re: Should I buy a shop Smith?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 11:12 pm
by BuckeyeDennis
Beave2012 wrote:BuckeyeDennis wrote:
Hi Tylor83, I live in the Columbus area. I've been monitoring Shopsmith stuff on Craigslist daily for several years, and Dayton postings show up on Columbus searches even if I don't expand the search area. So I'm pretty familiar with your local market.
That greenie listed at $550 is on the high end, price-wise. With patience, you could get one like it for about half that much, but it might take a while. If you don't want to wait, offer him $350 and see what he says.
If you have a little bigger budget, there is a good deal on the list right now -- a pristine looking Model 520 at an asking price of $1000. That's not a steal, but it's a bargain. You'd spend more if you bought that greenie and then upgraded it. And as it's been listed for a couple of months (surprisingly), the seller might come down a bit.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/5290631245.html
520.jpg
Do not go for that 520, it's listed across the country multiple "origins". I call scam on it. I would avoid it.
I once ran into a scam on CL when looking for an Xbox deal for my son, but that's the first time I've ever "seen or heard tell" of a Shopsmith scam. How did you find out about the multiple origins?
Re: Should I buy a shop Smith?
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2015 11:28 pm
by Beave2012
Do not go for that 520, it's listed across the country multiple "origins". I call scam on it. I would avoid it.
I once ran into a scam on CL when looking for an Xbox deal for my son, but that's the first time I've ever "seen or heard tell" of a Shopsmith scam. How did you find out about the multiple origins?
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That posting was discussed before on page 43 of the bargain thread
http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/commu ... -s420.html