Shopsmith Forums

I am going to introduce a blasphemous thought here.
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...

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.

robinson46176 wrote:I am going to introduce a blasphemous thought here.
. . .

Where's any Blasphemy????????? Makes perfect sense to me!;)

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.