Shopsmith Forums

Since I am not an avid turner, if the table saw function is not used, maybe you should not have a Shopsmith at all.

If I thought that I would never use the table saw, I would decide which wood working functions I would need and go standalone.

I have a hard time envisioning a shop without a table saw. What would you be likely to do - drill holes in big pieces of wood from the box store?:rolleyes::rolleyes:

A bandsaw won't to the job. Just try to cross cut an 8' board in half with a band saw.

Unless you are a neanderthal type and want to return to hand tools but that is another discussion all together and many craftsmen are doing just that.

I hope you can tell that I cannot imagine a wood shop in my life without a Shopsmith.

dusty wrote:Since I am not an avid turner, if the table saw function is not used, maybe you should not have a Shopsmith at all.

If I thought that I would never use the table saw, I would decide which wood working functions I would need and go standalone.

I have a hard time envisioning a shop without a table saw. What would you be likely to do - drill holes in big pieces of wood from the box store?:rolleyes::rolleyes:

A bandsaw won't to the job. Just try to cross cut an 8' board in half with a band saw.

Unless you are a neanderthal type and want to return to hand tools but that is another discussion all together and many craftsmen are doing just that.

I hope you can tell that I cannot imagine a wood shop in my life without a Shopsmith.

We know Dusty! That Unisaw image keeps popping up!:D

dusty wrote:Unless you are a neanderthal type and want to return to hand tools but that is another discussion all together and many craftsmen are doing just that.

I hope you can tell that I cannot imagine a wood shop in my life without a Shopsmith.

While I do find myself grabbing a hand tool more often for small cuts I cannot begin to see myself hand ripping the length of a 10 foot long piece of 2" thick oak...
I do believe that a lot of tablesaw injuries could be avoided if a lot of woodworkers could get over the notion that each little cut "HAS" to made on a tablesaw...

I too see a Shopsmith(s) involved in the rest of my functional life. I even use one to shine my shoes.


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JPG40504 wrote:We know Dusty! That Unisaw image keeps popping up!:D

yeah, I know. But seriously, what do you do in a wood shop that has no facility to cross cut long pieces of wood.

Please, do not tell me you build everything with wood that can be cut on a bandsaw.

dusty wrote:Please, do not tell me you build everything with wood that can be cut on a bandsaw.

Jig saw? Circular Saw? Radial Arm Saw? Sliding Miter Saw? Hand saw?

heathicus wrote:Jig saw? Circular Saw? Radial Arm Saw? Sliding Miter Saw? Hand saw?

Well, actually, almost.

I don't own a SCMS, a jig saw, or a radial arm saw. I do own two circular saws and a miter saw that was most graciously given to me by a member of this forum.

But actually, my hang up is simpler than that. I have a hard time thinking about parting with the old girl. That Mark V has been a part of nearly all my weekends for many years and almost full time since I retired. I guess you could say - I am addicted.

jm51 wrote:Am I correct in thinking that if the table saw function isn't used, then there is no advantage to the 520 upgrade?

For the other functions of a Mark V, (horizontal boring, vertical drilling disk sanding - conical or flat, the floating tables are valuable, but you don't need a 520 upgrade as a 510 upgrade, with 5' extension tubes will do as well.

The 520 is preferred by some for sawing and other uses, but it is not indespensible.

jm51 wrote:Am I correct in thinking that if the table saw function isn't used, then there is no advantage to the 520 upgrade?

The 520 upgrade changes the front and rear rails and introduces a new rip fence. The rails had to be upgraded to facilitate the design changes brought about by the fence.

If you do not need/want the "upgraded rip fence" then, in my opinion, the "ProFence" has nothing to offer you that is not available with a 510.

I have both in my shop but I have to admit that I am partial to the 520 for table saw functions. No technical argument, just a personal bias.

dusty wrote:The 520 upgrade changes the front and rear rails and introduces a new rip fence. The rails had to be upgraded to facilitate the design changes brought about by the fence.

If you do not need/want the "upgraded rip fence" then, in my opinion, the "ProFence" has nothing to offer you that is not available with a 510.

I have both in my shop but I have to admit that I am partial to the 520 for table saw functions. No technical argument, just a personal bias.

When Shopsmith still had the factory store they had a 520 in there that they had to wash all of my drool off of every time I stopped in there. Still when push came to shove I could not bring myself to shell out the $$$$ since my 510 was (is) in like new condition. I just could not justify it based on what I felt it could do for me. I have always had at least one other tablesaw in the shop even if which ever one was there was not as good of a saw as the 510. As years went by the table saws got better.


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dusty wrote:Since I am not an avid turner, if the table saw function is not used, maybe you should not have a Shopsmith at all.

I really have to disagree with this one. I've had my 500 for about 5 or 6 years and have never used the tablesaw for any real work, only a couple test cuts -- enough to know that I really don't want to use it for a saw unless maybe some non-through special cuts on small pieces.

Yes, I've done some turning, but definitely not 'avid'. I have a good drill press, so don't use that function. I do use the bandsaw and sanding disk quite frequently, the horizontal boring has been indispensable for me, the lathe good enough although I've been eyeing a dedicated midi lathe for when I start turning again, I'll use the jointer when I start building new cabinets in a year or so. I may well shorten it into a mini if/when I buy a dedicated lathe. However, I can't see getting rid of it as the flexibility of ways to use the tool is amazing.

BTW, since investing in a good tracksaw system (EurekaZone), and learning how to use it, I find I can do much cleaner and more accurate cuts than I could with my Ryobi BT3000 tablesaw and feel much safer to boot. Yes, I do have as much or more in the EZ stuff and good circular saw than I paid for the Ryobi, although it was in 3-4 increments, and I have more on my wish list that will push it close to the low-end contractor saw price territory. I finally gave away the BT3000 last summer after 1-1/2 years of zero use.

Roy