Should I buy 1956 greenie?

firefinder · Post by **firefinder** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 12:35 pm

I am going to look at a 1956-57ish "Greenie" this afternoon. It would be my first Shopsmith product, anything in particular I should look for?

The guy is asking $300 and from the looks of things, it has a bunch of blades, chucks, bits, even lathe carving tools.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:01 pm

firefinder wrote:I am going to look at a 1956-57ish "Greenie" this afternoon. It would be my first Shopsmith product, anything in particular I should look for?

The guy is asking $300 and from the looks of things, it has a bunch of blades, chucks, bits, even lathe carving tools.

Rust(lack of). Obvious signs of mis-treatment(gouges/holes in table). Extras as in jointer, belt sanders, band saw(Special Purpose Tools's).

Make sure everything works smoothly.

FWIW, $300 is high for a 'bare' bones unit(no SPT's)

firefinder · Post by **firefinder** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 1:42 pm

Thanks JPG. I don't think it has any SPT's from the photos he emailed me. It looks pretty decent.

I was going to offer half of what he was asking if it works. Otherwise, I will hold off and buy a Mark 7 next spring unless I find a newer one on craigslist or at the Habitat ReStore.

firefinder · Post by **firefinder** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:03 pm

I went and looked at the tool this evening. Motor sounds good through all the speeds, no play in the shafts, there are some cosmetic issues, surface rust but no major pitting on the large parts I looked at.

The rehabilitation threads inspired me anyways!

Here are pictures he emailed me and a few I took with my phone:

http://www.wou.edu/~bberkley/pics/shopsmith

$250 is the price, I am inclined to take it. Any advice before I pull the trigger?

Thanks!

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:32 pm

firefinder wrote:Thanks JPG. I don't think it has any SPT's from the photos he emailed me. It looks pretty decent.

I was going to offer half of what he was asking if it works. Otherwise, I will hold off and buy a Mark 7 next spring unless I find a newer one on craigslist or at the Habitat ReStore.

Sounds like a good plan!]Still a bit high[/B], but there are no obvious gross issues. Way tubes look ok! Bench tubes were originally painted. Light rust on attachments not severe.

As long as you can accept the task of cleaning it up, and are satisfied, go for it!.

firefinder · Post by **firefinder** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:45 pm

It seems to be missing the saw guards, I am going to offer him less than $250.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 11:59 pm

firefinder wrote:It seems to be missing the saw guards, I am going to offer him less than $250.

The saw guards were not a standard item when that greenie was made.

Worth a try!:D

firefinder · Post by **firefinder** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:21 pm

Talked him down to $200. Going to pick it up this evening.

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:44 pm

firefinder wrote:Talked him down to $200. Going to pick it up this evening.

Now yer talking!!!;) Fair all around!:)

firefinder · Post by **firefinder** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 11:08 pm

I really should start my own thread after stepping all over this other guy's thread.

Anyways, all the saw blades have their own arbor's attached except 1, so I have at least 4 arbors, and a wobbly dado as well.